Iliad II splintering groups

 [pg 036]

Till Helen's woes at full revenged appear,

And Troy's proud matrons render tear for tear.

Before that day, if any Greek invite

His country's troops to base, inglorious flight,

Stand forth that Greek! and hoist his sail to fly,

And die the dastard first, who dreads to die.

But now, O monarch! all thy chiefs advise:⁹¹

Nor what they offer, thou thyself despise.

Among those counsels, let not mine be vain;

In tribes and nations to divide thy train:

His separate troops let every leader call,

Each strengthen each, and all encourage all.

What chief, or soldier, of the numerous band,

Or bravely fights, or ill obeys command,

When thus distinct they war, shall soon be known

And what the cause of Ilion not o'erthrown;

If fate resists, or if our arms are slow,

If gods above prevent, or men below."

n  It seems that the leadership of atredes is reminded that different factions existed in this bout with troy and as time went on many took different sides ibconparison to atredes side.  Some wanted the same resolve but disunified due to length of time and desire or provocation to want to do things different to stop the insucess the Greeks under atriedes were experiencing

n  Others decided on other sides as time went on.

n  Even this fragmentation and splintering into groups  is the will of the Gods.