Book 6 Summary

Homer describes many of the individual clashes between soldiers of the two forces as the battle continues. The fighting becomes brutal and the Greeks are doing much better without the interference of the gods. They are becoming merciless. When Menelaos is about to spare Adrestos, who has begged him to hold him for ransom instead of killing him, Agamemnon steps in and does the deed instead. He reminds Menelaos of the treatment he received from the Trojans in his own house, and urges him not to leave any of them alive. Nestor seconds this, encouraging all the men to focus on obliterating the Trojans rather than taking plunder.

The Trojans are forced to retreat, and Hector goes into the city to ask the elders and the women of Troy to sacrifice to the gods on their behalf, in hopes of turning the tide...