Patroclus now mounted the chariot of Achilles, with the brave Au-tomʹe-don as charioteer, a hero next in valor to the renowned son of Peleus himself. There were three horses in the team, Xanthus and Baʹli-us, both of immortal breed, and fleet as the wind, and Pedʹa-sus, which, though of mortal stock, was a match for the others in speed.
Like in strength, in swiftness and in grace,
A mortal courser match'd the immortal race.
Pope, Iliad, Book XVI.
Great was the terror of the Trojans when they beheld the Myrmidons march forth to battle.
Every heart grew faint
With fear; the close ranks wavered; for they thought
That the swift son of Peleus at the fleet
Had laid aside his wrath, and was again
The friend of Agamemnon. Eagerly
They looked around for an escape from death.
Bryant, Iliad, Book XVI.
Automedon and the Horses of Achilles.
Painting by Regnault.
The Greek fleet was soon out of danger, for Patroclus and his Myrmidons, having furiously attacked the Trojans, quickly drove them away from the burning vessel and put out the fire. Having thus saved the ships, the Myrmidonian warriors, aided by the other Greeks, then drove the Trojans with great slaughter from the camp into the plain, and on towards the walls of the city.
In that scattered conflict of the chiefs
Each Argive slew a warrior.