“Triumphant Achilles” by Franz Matsch.‘The Trojan War’ by Evan Mantyk The Society July 9, 2013 Homer, Poetry 2 Comments The Trojan War has finished its long course. Achaeans won by sneaking past the vaulting walls As if they were a gift: a wooden horse. A decade done, at last the city falls! And yet the riches found were not it all, Along with war, there came a great resource Achilles’ n’ Agamemnon’s egos tall Were humbled to the ground with mighty force. The greatest hero and Achaean king Saw limits to their sight and faced their error; Their compromise, a wretched shineless thing, Was their most brilliant and enlight’ning treasure. Amidst life’s war, when warrior wills compete, Just do your job and one day bitter’s sweet. (Revised 6/19/2017) Evan Mantyk is president of the Society and teaches history and literature in the Hudson Valley region of New York. NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 2 Responses Bruce Dale Wise July 10, 2013 The octave in your The Trojan War uses a rhyme scheme, ababbaba, which has interesting possibilities, because it goes back upon itself. I also like your rhyme of error and treasure. The painter and the painting you have coupled with your poem I am unfamiliar with. I’ll have to do some Internet research. Reply Bruce Dale Wise July 18, 2013 The Triumph of Achilles by Franz Matsch, 1892 The Triumph of Achilles by Franz Matsch is found upon the upper hall of the Achilleon, a palace in Corfu. Dead Hector’s dragged around Troy in the panoramic fresco. Achilles, on his chariot, holds Hector’s helmet in his hand high up and out. This is the end of Ilion. In Matsch’s action shot, black horses lead the band of Greeks that follow, mostly on foot, though there are some charioteers. Bright Achilles, tall and grand, is the commanding figure; Hector, lean and bare, is, as the dirty mud Matsch draws him into, browned, at a right angle to Achilles, strong and fair. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Bruce Dale Wise July 10, 2013 The octave in your The Trojan War uses a rhyme scheme, ababbaba, which has interesting possibilities, because it goes back upon itself. I also like your rhyme of error and treasure. The painter and the painting you have coupled with your poem I am unfamiliar with. I’ll have to do some Internet research. Reply
Bruce Dale Wise July 18, 2013 The Triumph of Achilles by Franz Matsch, 1892 The Triumph of Achilles by Franz Matsch is found upon the upper hall of the Achilleon, a palace in Corfu. Dead Hector’s dragged around Troy in the panoramic fresco. Achilles, on his chariot, holds Hector’s helmet in his hand high up and out. This is the end of Ilion. In Matsch’s action shot, black horses lead the band of Greeks that follow, mostly on foot, though there are some charioteers. Bright Achilles, tall and grand, is the commanding figure; Hector, lean and bare, is, as the dirty mud Matsch draws him into, browned, at a right angle to Achilles, strong and fair. Reply
