Agamemnon's dream

Book Two of The Iliad today. The latter half, known as the catalogue of ships, is (to say the least) challenging. Basically it's a long list of ancient Greeks' names and just as long a list of ancient Greek places - principalities, kingdoms and cities - most of which are difficult to pronounce and some impossible. And there are the Trojan leaders and places too. I guess the listings meant more to Greeks around 400 BC when the oral tradition, the need to recite great works in public was at its height. Still, I ploughed through it. One must.

The opening sequence was enjoyable: capricious Gods, evil Dream whispering in the ear of a vainglorious Agamemnon, the rush for the boats home as he tests his men and the efforts of Odysseus to rally the troops. They do feel real, those Kings and Generals of Greece. Agamemnon, proud but brave, a nincompoop at times; Nestor the toady, arse-licker; sulking Achilles, loyal Odysseus. As for the gods? One of the most appealing aspects of these epic tales is that the gods are such capricious, scheming, untrustworthy and devious actors in their own rights; a warring family who fight the petty battles of Mount Olympus often like bored, impetuous, spoiled children. You would think that Agamemnon might have known better than to trust the words of Dream. He'll learn (too late).
.