Book 5 Summary

Diomedes now emerges as the best Greek warrior in Achilles' absence, as he has the help of Athena. After vanquishing several other formidable opponents, Diomedes finds himself face to face with Pandaros, the Trojan who was convinced by Athena to break the truce in Book Four. After one unsuccessful clash with the Trojan, Diomedes is injured and calls to Athena for help, even as Pandaros is boasting to his comrades that he has hit the best of the Achaians. Athena heals Diomedes, lifting him up and encouraging him to fight. She tells him she has strengthened him, and taken away from his eyes the veil that keeps men from seeing the gods. Now he would be able to tell when the gods were helping the enemy. She warns him not to do battle with any of the immortals, however, although he is at...