Galaxy/The codex of Polydamas

Son of Panthous (`panthous-trojan`), comrade of Hector born in the same night — far the best in speech where Hector bore the spear — who read Zeus' portents and again and again urged the Trojan captain to heed counsel before the wall and the ships.1

I

When an eagle of Zeus dropped a writhing snake in the midst of the Trojans, Polydamas alone told Hector the omen forbade crossing the trench in force; his prudent counsel pleased Hector, and the host leapt down from their chariots to fight on foot. Yet Hector often rebuked him in assembly for giving good advice that a captain ought to weigh — as when he warned that Achilles' return would turn the tide.2

II

In battle he was no mere counsellor: the son of Panthous cast and smote Prothoënor through the shoulder, fought beside Hector round Cebriones, and Apollo would not suffer him to be vanquished among the foremost fighters. Wise Polydamas looked at once before and after; in the gatherings after Patroclus fell, he was first to speak, while the Trojans hasted to his voice when Hector ranged the field seeking Deïphobus and Helenus.3

the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story

BEYOND THE POETS

How the centuries since have seen Polydamas — art, artifacts and echoes.

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