jo6 TABLEAU de la PLAINE de TROTE. 



break in, fet the fhips on fire, and annihilate the whole Grecian 

 army. 



This operation was fo new to the Trojans, that they did not 

 know how to conduct the attack, fo as to make themfetves ma- 

 fters of the camp. At length, by the advice of Polydamas, 

 (Iliad, XII. 75. )j ^^ chiefs difmount from their chariots, and 

 bring the infantry in five columns over the ditch. Asius alone 

 remains in his chariot. He obferves, upon the left wing of the 

 ihips *, the gate open, through which the Greeks had paffed to 

 and from the field. He makes an attack here, but with an un- 

 fortunate iffue. (XII. no, &c.). The other divifions affault at 

 different points the rampart and the entrances. (175, &c.). As 

 there were five columns of the Trojans, it is commonly fuppofed 

 that the gates of the fortification muft have alfo been five in 

 number. Hector's divifion exert themfelves to the utmoft to 

 demolifh the rampart, (251.), particularly around and near one 

 of the gates. (291.). Sarpedon affaults the rampart at the 

 quarter defended by Menestheus, leader of the Athenians. 

 (331.). Menestheus finds himfelf worfted, and calls for af- 

 fiftance to Ajax and Teucer, who were engaged with Hector. 

 By the abfence of thefe two, Hector is left at liberty to adl. 

 He burfts the gate with a piece of rock, and forces his way into 

 the camp. (437. et feq.). 



The terrified Greeks retreat towards their fliips. Here the 

 two Ajaxes had joined. They rally the fugitives, and lead 

 them on again againft the enemy.. This column of the Greeks 

 appears to have feme refemblance to a phalanx, the firft outlines 

 of which it is believed may be found here ; for the braveft 

 troops, we are told, drew up in thick clofed ranks, and waited 

 for the approaching foe. (XIII. 1 26, &c.). The enemy, by this 

 manoeuvre, is quickly repulfed. 



While 



* Nijai* hr eifirrt^u. (XII. lip*}* 



