Far from the corpse, Achilles' horses stood motionless and wept for Patroclus from the time they learned their charioteer had fallen under Hector's hand. Automedon tried whip and soft words and threats, but they would not go to the ships or into the Achaeans. They stood like a pillar on a tomb, heads bowed, hot tears running to the ground, their manes fouled under the yoke.
Zeus pitied Xanthos and Balios. Why had they been given to mortal Peleus, ageless themselves, only to share the sorrows of wretched men? Yet Hector should not mount behind them. Zeus put strength into their knees and hearts so they might carry Automedon safe from the fighting, though for a while longer he would still give glory to the Trojans.
The horses shook the dust from their manes and ran lightly among Trojans and Achaeans. Automedon fought behind them, grieving for his companion, but he could not cast and guide at once. Alcimedon son of Laerkes climbed in beside him, took the whip and reins, and Automedon leapt down ready with his spear.
Hector and Aeneas saw the immortal horses coming with weak charioteers and rushed to seize them, Chromios and Aretos with them. Automedon prayed to Zeus, who filled his chest with courage. He cast and struck Aretos through shield and belt into the lower belly; Aretos sprang and fell on his back, and the spear took his life.
Hector cast at Automedon, but Automedon crouched and the long spear stuck quivering in the ground behind him. They would have closed with swords had not the Aiantes come through the crowd. Hector and Aeneas gave back, and Automedon stripped Aretos, laid the bloody spoils on the chariot, and rejoined the Argives still grieving for Patroclus.
Athena came down from heaven by Zeus's will — for now he meant to give glory to the Danaans — and put fury into the fight. In the likeness of Phoenix she came to Menelaus and urged him to stand by Patroclus, lest the swift dogs tear him under Troy's wall.
Menelaus prayed to Athena for strength, and she was pleased that he had named her first among the gods. She filled his knees and shoulders with power and set in his breast the boldness of a fly that keeps coming back to bite. He stood over Patroclus and cast, killing Podes, a rich friend of Hector, as the man started to flee.
Apollo went to Hector in the likeness of Phaenops of Abydos and rebuked him for shrinking from Menelaus, who had taken a dead man from the Trojans and killed his trusty friend. Grief took Hector; he armed and came to the front. Zeus seized the bright aegis, covered Ida in cloud, thundered, and shook the aegis, giving victory to the Trojans and putting the Achaeans to flight.