Source-groundedThe Iliad
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Book 04

Chapter 4

39 passages8 observations · 5 observed placesSHA 26ac6edbf868…

Passage 1

Lines 4–5

Canonical text · read-only

Source text

Now the gods were sitting with Jove in council upon the golden floor while Hebe went round pouring out nectar for them to drink, and as they pledged one another in their cups of gold they looked down upon the town of Troy. The son of Saturn then began to tease Juno, talking at her so as to provoke her. ‘Menelaus,’ said he, ‘has two good friends among the goddesses, Juno of Argos, and Minerva of Alalcomene, but they only sit still and look on, while Venus keeps ever by Alexandrus’ side to defend him in any danger; indeed she has just rescued him when he made sure that it was all over with him—for the victory really did lie with Menelaus. We must consider what we shall do about all this; shall we set them fighting anew or make peace between them? If you will agree to this last Menelaus can take back Helen and the city of Priam may remain still inhabited.’

Claims for this passage

6
Alexandrus·Character·Reported

Jove says Alexandrus is continually defended by Venus and has just been rescued when he thought himself finished.

See evidence text
“Venus keeps ever by Alexandrus’ side to defend him in any danger; indeed she has just rescued him when he made sure that it was all over with him”
gods·Deity·Direct

The gods sit in council with Jove on a golden floor, pledge one another from golden cups, and look down upon Troy.

See evidence text
“Now the gods were sitting with Jove in council upon the golden floor while Hebe went round pouring out nectar for them to drink, and as they pledged one another in their cups of gold they looked down upon the town of Troy”
Hebe·Character·Direct

Hebe circulates through the divine council pouring nectar.

See evidence text
“Now the gods were sitting with Jove in council upon the golden floor while Hebe went round pouring out nectar for them to drink”
Jove·Deity·Direct

Jove deliberately teases Juno to provoke her.

See evidence text
“The son of Saturn then began to tease Juno, talking at her so as to provoke her”
Menelaus·Character·Reported

Jove affirms Menelaus’s victory and proposes that peace would let him take Helen back.

See evidence text
“the victory really did lie with Menelaus. We must consider what we shall do about all this; shall we set them fighting anew or make peace between them? If you will agree to this last Menelaus can take back Helen”
Venus·Deity·Reported

Jove says Venus continually defends Alexandrus and has just rescued him from apparent defeat.

See evidence text
“Venus keeps ever by Alexandrus’ side to defend him in any danger; indeed she has just rescued him when he made sure that it was all over with him”

Published summary

As the gods drink nectar and watch Troy, Jove teases Juno and proposes either renewing the fighting or making peace so Menelaus takes Helen while Priam’s city remains inhabited.

Passage preview

Book 4 · Passage 1

Now the gods were sitting with Jove in council upon the golden floor while Hebe went round pouring out nectar for them to drink, and as they pledged one another in their cups of gold they looked down upon the town of Troy. The son of Saturn then began to tease Juno, talking at her so as to provoke her. ‘Menelaus,’ said he, ‘has two good friends among the goddesses, Juno of Argos, and Minerva of Alalcomene, but they only sit still and look on, while Venus keeps ever by Alexandrus’ side to defend him in any danger; indeed she has just rescued him when he made sure that it was all over with him—for the victory really did lie with Menelaus. We must consider what we shall do about all this; shall we set them fighting anew or make peace between them? If you will agree to this last Menelaus can take back Helen and the city of Priam may remain still inhabited.’