Editing Iliad (section)

=== The Great Gathering of Armies (Ἰλιάς Β - Iliás B) ===
The second book begins with Zeus' scheme to honor Achilles' request made through Thetis. He sends a deceptive dream to Agamemnon, promising victory over Troy. Agamemnon awakes, deceived into believing that the war will soon end in the Achaeans' favor. Agamemnon calls an assembly of the Achaean forces to share the dream and proposes a test to gauge the warriors' morale. He suggests pretending to abandon the war and return home, expecting his warriors to reject the idea. The plan backfires when the soldiers, weary from battle, eagerly rush to their ships, ready to depart. '''[[Odysseus]]''' (Ὀδυσσεύς, Odysseús, [o.dysˈsews]), under Athena's guidance, intervenes to halt the Achaeans' retreat. Using his renowned wit and eloquence, he reminds the soldiers of their duty and the shame that would follow if they abandoned Helen and the war. He specifically chastises Thersites, a common soldier who vocally supports abandoning the fight, thus restoring order and focus among the troops. Homer then presents the famous '''Catalogue of Ships''', a detailed enumeration of the Achaean forces assembled against Troy. This passage lists the leaders, their origins, the contingents they command, and the number of ships they brought to Troy. This not only serves to underscore the vast scale of the Achaean expedition but also pays homage to the diverse regions of Greece. The Catalogue lists the leaders, their origins, and the ships they brought to Troy, encompassing regions from all over Greece. It begins with the Boeotian contingent, moving through central Greece, the Peloponnese, and the islands, ending with the forces from Crete and other distant lands.

* '''<u>Boeotia</u>''': The Catalogue starts with Boeotian cities like '''Thebes''' and '''Orchomenus'''. While these cities are well-known in Greek history and mythology, the Mycenaean presence in some mentioned cities during the supposed era of the Trojan War is debated, given the archaeological evidence or lack thereof in certain sites. This force, led by different leaders including '''Prothoenor''' and '''Leitus''', brought 50 ships, each with 120 Boeotian men. 
* '''<u>Peloponnese</u>''': The forces from '''Mycenae''', led by Agamemnon, are historically plausible given the archaeological discoveries confirming Mycenae's significance during the Late Bronze Age. However, the sheer number of ships attributed to some regions raises questions, as it may reflect later Greek perceptions of past grandeur rather than accurate historical records. Mycenae contributed 100 ships; Sparta brought 60. '''Argos''', '''Lacedaemon''', and others contributed, bringing several hundred ships in total. 
* '''<u>Ithaca and the Ionian Islands</u>''': Odysseus' kingdom of Ithaca and the surrounding islands are mentioned as bringing 12 ships. The identification of Homeric Ithaca has been a matter of debate among scholars, with some ancient sources and modern archaeological investigations suggesting different locations than the modern island sharing the name.
* '''<u>Crete</u>''': The large contingent from Crete, led by '''Idomeneus''', highlights the island's mythological importance. Crete's inclusion with 80 ships reflects its archaeological significance as a major center of [[Minoan civilization]], though by the Mycenaean era, Crete's dominance had waned. The depiction in the Catalogue might therefore overstate Crete's military power during the Mycenaean period.
* Mention of regions and leaders from '''<u>Thrace</u>''' and other areas near the '''<u>Hellespont</u>''' is interesting for its inclusion of places that would have been on the periphery of the Mycenaean Greek world. These entries suggest a broader Greek interest in the regions around the Aegean and beyond, though the historical accuracy of these groups' participation in a unified expedition against Troy is uncertain.

The numbers of ships and warriors may be exaggerated, reflecting epic conventions or the desire to emphasize the grand scale of the war effort. Certain places mentioned may not have been significant or even existed as populated centers during the '''late Bronze Age''' but were included due to their importance in later Greek history or mythology. The Catalogue's geography sometimes aligns with known Mycenaean sites, confirmed by archaeological findings; in other instances, it mentions locations that either have not been identified archaeologically as significant in the Mycenaean period or were attributed greater importance in the epic than historical evidence currently supports. Following the Achaean catalogue, Homer details the Trojan forces and their allies, including the various leaders and peoples who have come to Troy's defense, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict and setting the stage for the extensive battles to come.

* Dardanians: Led by '''Aeneas''' (Ἀινείας, Aineías), the Dardanians (people of the <u>Troad</u>, the region around Troy) were among the closest allies of the Trojans. The specific number of Dardanian forces is not mentioned, but Aeneas' prominence implies a significant contribution.
* Lycians: Under the command of '''Sarpedon''' (Σαρπηδὼν, Sarpēdōn) and '''Glaucus''' (Γλαῦκος, Glaûkos), the Lycians from <u>southwestern Anatolia</u> are depicted as valiant fighters. Sarpedon's role as a son of Zeus and his heroic stature emphasize the Lycians' importance as allies.
* Mysians: The Mysians, led by '''Chromis''' and '''Ennomus''' the '''augur''', are mentioned among the Trojan allies. While specific details about their forces are sparse, their inclusion highlights the diverse regions supporting Troy; they came from <u>northwestern Anatolia</u>. 
* Phrygians: Led by '''Phorcys''' and '''Ascanius''', the Phrygians from <u>central Anatolia</u> also joined Troy's defense. Like the Mysians, the Phrygians are listed without detailed descriptions of their forces but are indicative of the wide-ranging support for Troy.
* Thracians: Under the leadership of '''Acamas''' and '''Peiros''', Thracian warriors are noted for their participation on the Trojan side. The inclusion of Thracians reflects the extensive geographical reach of Troy's alliances, extending into <u>southeastern Europe</u>.
* Cicones: The Cicones of <u>Thrace</u>, with '''Euphemus''' as one of their leaders, are mentioned as allies of the Trojans (from the <u>central Balkans</u>). 
* Paeonians: Led by '''Pyraechmes''', the Paeonians from the region of <u>Paeonia</u> (north of <u>Macedonia</u>) brought archers to the Trojan cause, showcasing the variety of military skills among Troy's allies.
* Pelagonians, Halizones, et cetera: Various groups are mentioned as allies of Troy, including the Pelagonians (of the <u>Balkans</u>) led by Asteropaios and the Halizones (from '''Alybe''', 'the birthplace of silver', likely around the <u>Black Sea</u>) under the leadership of '''Odius''' and '''Epistrophus'''.