In this book, named after its opening ‘the counter-attack‘ (παλίωξις), the poet faces the task of rapidly reversing the Greek breakthrough; to do this gradually would arouse less suspense. Yet he must also make the Trojan advance slow and painful, so as not to upset his pro-Greek audience. He must also bring the deception of Zeus to a dignified close, return Hektor to battle and keep us on tenterhooks by reminding us of Patroklos and Akhilleus. All these ends are deftly attained by a book that falls into four movements, discussed more fully in notes at the start of each; the best account of the whole is Winter, MNO 130–77.

In an opening scherzo (1–261), Zeus, now awake and undeceived, puts Here and Poseidon in their places (with amusing characterization), and sets Hektor in motion again; in so doing he reveals to Here the future course of the action. This prepares us for Akhilleus' intervention, but also advances the divine sub-plot ahead of its human counterpart (56–77n.): the quarrel among the gods is resolved in a grudging reconciliation between Zeus and Here; that among the Greeks ends only with the like reconciliation in book 19. But what a contrast between Zeus's majesty and Agamemnon's weakness! Zeus has successfully resisted another challenge to his rule; Homer repeatedly evokes his defeat of the giants and Titans (see on 18–31, 87f., 185–93), Just as he alluded to threats to the god's rule in book 14 (153–353n.).