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<strong>The</strong> Argives were maddened <strong>by</strong> this boasting. Ajax son of Telamon was<br />

more angry than any, <strong>for</strong> the man had fallen close be, him; so he aimed<br />

at Polydamas as he was retreating, but Polydamas saved himself <strong>by</strong><br />

swerving aside and the spear struck Archelochus son of Antenor, <strong>for</strong><br />

heaven counselled his destruction; it struck him where the head springs<br />

from the neck at the top joint of the spine, and severed both the<br />

tendons at the back of the head. His head, mouth, and nostrils reached<br />

the ground long be<strong>for</strong>e his legs and knees could do so, and Ajax shouted<br />

to Polydamas saying, "Think, Polydamas, and tell me truly whether<br />

this man is not as well worth killing as Prothoenor was: he seems<br />

rich, and of rich family, a brother, it may be, or son of the knight<br />

Antenor, <strong>for</strong> he is very like him."<br />

But he knew well who it was, and the Trojans were greatly angered.<br />

Acamas then bestrode his brother's body and wounded Promachus the<br />

Boeotian with his spear, <strong>for</strong> he was trying to drag his brother's body<br />

away. Acamas vaunted loudly over him saying, "Argive archers, braggarts<br />

that you are, toil and suffering shall not be <strong>for</strong> us only, but some<br />

of you too shall fall here as well as ourselves. <strong>See</strong> how Promachus<br />

now sleeps, vanquished <strong>by</strong> my spear; payment <strong>for</strong> my brother's blood<br />

has not long delayed; a man, there<strong>for</strong>e, may well be thankful if he<br />

leaves a kinsman in his house behind him to avenge his fall."<br />

His taunts infuriated the Argives, and Peneleos was more enraged than<br />

any of them. He sprang towards Acamas, but Acamas did not stand his<br />

ground, and he killed Ilioneus son of the rich flock-­‐master Phorbas,<br />

whom Mercury had favoured and endowed with greater wealth than any<br />

other of the Trojans. Ilioneus was his only son, and Peneleos now

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