So the Achaeans armed by their ships around the son of Peleus, hungering for battle, while the Trojans armed opposite them on the rise of the plain.
From many-folded Olympus Zeus told Themis to gather the gods in council. She went and called them to his house — every river but Oceanus, and the nymphs that haunt fair groves, springs, and grassy meadows. They sat in the polished marble colonnades Hephaestus had made for father Zeus.
Poseidon came up from the sea and asked why Zeus had summoned them, with battle about to kindle between Trojans and Achaeans.
Zeus said he cared for them even in their destruction. He himself would stay seated on Olympus and look on in peace, but the others should go among Trojans and Achaeans and help either side as each was minded. He took thought for both hosts though ruin hung over them.
If Achilles fought without hindrance the Trojans would make no stand; furious for his comrade, he might override fate and storm their city.
So the gods took sides. Hera, Athena, Poseidon, Hermes, and limping Hephaestus joined the host from the ships. Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Leto, Xanthus, and Aphrodite went to the Trojans.
While the gods held aloof, the Achaeans prevailed, for Achilles who had long refused to fight was with them again. Not a Trojan but felt his limbs fail for fear when he saw the fleet son of Peleus glorious in armor, looking like Ares himself.
When the Olympians came among men, Strife rose. Athena shouted by the trench and on the shore; Ares bellowed from the citadel and along the Simois toward Callicolone.
Zeus thundered from heaven; Poseidon shook the earth and high hills. Ida quaked, and Troy, and the Achaean ships.
Hades sprang from his throne in fear that the earth-shaker would crack the ground and lay bare his mouldy halls to mortal and immortal sight.