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Vol. 48 : The tide turns

Dawn threw her golden robe across the land, and Zeus gathered the gods and goddesses around him.

"I have made a decision," he said. "I will end this war. From now on, none of you are permitted to join the fighting. If I find anyone disobeying me, I will whip them with lightning, and throw into the depths of the Underworld."

The gods and goddesses were quiet.

Then Athena stepped forward.

"Father, I will do as you say," she said. "But men are dying everyday, and it is difficult not to feel pity."

"Courage, child," Zeus said kindly. "It is for the best."

Meanwhile, the Greeks and the Trojans were fighting once more. Once again the fields before Troy flowed with blood. Then, around noon, Zeus stood on top of Mt. Ida and in his hand he held a pair of scales. He placed in them the fate of the Trojans and the fate of the Greeks, and held them up high. The fate of the Greeks sank while that of the Trojans rose. The Greeks were doomed that day.

Clouds gathered over the land. Thunder crashed, and lightning bolts flew to the ground, burning and killing the Greeks.

"Zeus is against us," cried Odysseus.The Greeks started retreating. Agamemnon, Menelaus, Ajax, Odysseus — all of them ran for the ships. Only Nestor stood his ground.

But Paris took his bow and shot his horse through the head. The horse reared back. Nestor fell, and would have been crushed if Diomedes had not pulled him onto this chariot.

From the ships, Agamemnon watched in despair. He saw Hector in pursuit, intent on burning the ships as the Greeks tried to escape. He fell to his knees in tears and prayed:

"Almighty father, I have always made sacrifices for you. Now, will you do this for me? Let the men escape alive, even if we do not win this war.