II. Jupiter, being induced to take the part of Achillês, now sends to Agamemnon a lying dream, which induces him to believe that he shall take the city at once; but in order to see how the soldiers are affected by the retirement of Achillês, the king calls them to a council of war, asks them if it would not be better to give up the siege and return home. He thinks the soldiers will shout “no” with one voice; but they rush to their ships, and would set sail at once if they were not restrained by those privy to the plot.
III. The soldiers, being brought back, are then arrayed for battle. Paris proposes to decide the contest by single combat, and Menelaos accepts the challenge. Paris, being overthrown, is carried off by Venus, and Agamemnon demands that the Trojans shall give up Troy in fulfillment of the compact.
IV. While Agamemnon is speaking, Pandărus draws his bow at Menelaos and wounds him, and the battle becomes general.
V. Pandarus, who had violated the truce, is killed by Diomed.
VI. Hector, the general of the Trojan allied armies, recommends that the Trojan women in a body should supplicate the gods to pardon the sin of Pandarus, and in the meantime he and Paris make a sally from the city gate.
VII. Hector fights with Ajax in single combat, but the combatants are parted by the heralds, who declare it a drawn battle; so they exchange gifts and return to their respective tents.
VIII. The Grecian host, being discomfitted, retreats; and Hector prepares to assault the enemy’s camp.
IX. A deputation is sent to Achillês, but the sulky hero remains obdurate.
X. A night attack is made on the Trojans by Diomed and Ulyssês;
XI. And the three Grecian chiefs (Agamemnon, Diomed, and Ulyssês) are all wounded.