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THE HEEOIC AGE THE TROJAN WAR. 61expeditions by sea, like that of the Argonauts, be attendedwith success ;and a union of the heroes, as in that and themarch against Thebes, be first established ; before such anundertaking could become practicable. But now it resultedso naturally from the whole condition of things, that, thoughits object might have been a different one, it must lavetaken place even without a Helen.The expedition against Troy, like the crusades, was avoluntary undertaking on the part of those who joined in it ;and this circumstance had an influence on all the internalregulations. The leaders of the several bands were voluntary followers of the Atridae, and could therefore depart fromthe army at their own pleasure. Agamemnon was but thefirstamong the first. It is more difficult to ascertain therelation between the leaders and their people ;and he whoshould undertake to describe every thing minutely, wouldbe most sure of making mistakes. There were certainlycontrol and obedience. The troops follow their leaders, andleave the battle with them. But much even of this seemsto have been voluntary ;and the spirit of the age allowedno such severe discipline as exists in modern armies. Nonebut a Thersites could have received the treatment of Thersites.This undertaking, begun and successfully terminated byunited exertions, kindled the national spirit of the Hellenes.On the fields of Asia, the tribes had for the first time beenassembled, for the first time had saluted each other asbrethren. They had fought and had conquered in company.Yet something of a higher character was stillwanting topreserve the flame, which was just blazing up. The assistance of the muse was needed, to commemorate in wordsthose events of which the echo will never die away. Bypreserving the memory of them for ever, the most beautifulfruits which they bore were saved from perishing.