Diomedes drove in first, stepped high, and took the woman and the tripod. Antilochus came next by craft, then Menelaus close as a horse to the wheel, then Meriones, and last Eumelos dragging his chariot. Achilles pitied Eumelos and would have given him second prize, but Antilochus stood on his rights as the man who finished second.
Achilles smiled and gave Eumelos a bronze breastplate taken from Asteropaios instead. Menelaus rose in anger with the staff in hand and charged Antilochus with foul driving, bidding him swear by Poseidon he had not cheated willfully. Antilochus gave way, saying youth makes a man hasty; he offered the mare and whatever else would soothe Menelaus's heart.
Menelaus's anger softened like dew on ripening grain when the fields bristle. He gave the mare back to Antilochus's comrade and took the cauldron himself. Meriones took the two talents of gold; the fifth prize, the two-handled urn, Achilles gave to Nestor, saying he should keep it as a memorial of Patroclus's burying, for he would not box or wrestle or throw the spear or run again — age lay heavy on him.
Next Achilles offered prizes for boxing. Epeios son of Panopeus claimed the mule and said he would smash any man's flesh; only in battle was he wanting. Euryalos son of Mekisteus rose against him, and Diomedes seconded him. They belted up, and Epeios struck Euryalos so that his limbs failed; friends carried him off dragging his feet, spitting blood, head hanging, and took the cup that was second prize.
For wrestling Achilles set a tripod worth twelve oxen and a woman skilled in work worth four. Aias son of Telamon and Odysseus rose. They gripped like rafters locked by a skilled builder against wind. Aias tried a lift; Odysseus hooked the hollow of his knee and threw him. Then Odysseus tried; Aias held. Achilles stopped them and said both had won — divide equal prizes and take them.
For the foot-race he offered a silver mixing-bowl from Sidon, an ox, and a half-talent of gold. Aias son of Oileus, Odysseus, and Antilochus ran. Aias led, but Odysseus prayed to Athena, who made his limbs light and caused Aias to slip in the filth of the slaughtered bulls. Odysseus took the bowl; Aias took the ox; Antilochus took the gold and smiled that the gods honor older men.