"Homeric battle" has been
ever since the accepted term for fierce fighting. It is because Mars
and Bellona protect Hector that the Trojans now gain some advantage,
seeing which, Juno and Minerva hasten to the rescue of the Greeks.
Arriving on the battle-field, Juno, assuming the form of Stentor
(whose brazen tones have become proverbial), directs the Greek
onslaught. Meanwhile, instigated by Minerva, Diomedes attacks Mars,
who, receiving a wound, emits such a roar of pain that both armies
shudder. Then he too is miraculously conveyed to Olympus, where, after
exhibiting his wound, he denounces Minerva who caused it. But,
although Jupiter sternly rebukes his son, he takes such prompt
measures to relieve his suffering, that Mars is soon seated at the
Olympian board, where before long he is joined by Juno and Minerva.

_Book VI._ Meanwhile the battle rages, and in the midst of broken
chariots, flying steeds, and clouds of dust, we descry Menelaus and
Agamemnon doing wonders and hear Nestor cheering on the Greeks. The
Trojans are about to yield before their onslaught, when a warrior
warns Hector, and the just returned Aeneas, of their dire peril.
After conferring hastily with his friends, Hector returns to Troy to
direct the women to implore Minerva's favor, while Aeneas goes to
support their men. At the Scaean Gate, Hector meets the mothers,
wives, and daughters of the combatants, who, at his suggestion, gladly
prepare costly offerings to be borne to Minerva's temple in solemn
procession.

Then Hector himself rushes to the palace, where, refusing all
refreshment, he goes in quest of Paris, whom he finds in the company
of Helen and her maids, idly polishing his armor. Indignantly Hector
informs his brother the Trojans are perishing without the walls in
defence of the quarrel he kindled, but which he is too cowardly to
uphold! Although admitting he deserves reproaches, Paris declares he
is about to return to the battle-field, for Helen has just rekindled
all his ardor. Seeing Hector does not answer, Helen timidly expresses
her regret at having caused these woes, bitterly wishing fate had
bound her to a man noble enough to feel and resent an insult. With a
curt recommendation to send Paris after him as soon as possible,
Hector hastens off to his own dwelling, for he longs to embrace his
wife and son, perhaps for the last time.

There he finds none but the servants at home, who inform him that his
wife has gone to the watch