Chapter 6 6

When a large number of warships gathered at the port of Oris, Agamemnon went out to hunt to pass the time.One day, a sika deer dedicated to the goddess Artemis came within his range.The king was in the midst of hunting, and shot the beautiful animal with an arrow. He also boasted that even Artemis herself, the goddess of the hunt, could not necessarily shoot better than him.The goddess was very angry when she heard his rude words.She made the sea calm in front of the port, and ships could not sail out of Auris Bay at all, but the war should start.The Greeks were helpless, so they had to go to Calchas, the son of the great prophet Thestor, and ask him for advice on how to get out of the predicament.Calchas, who was a military priest and a fortune-teller, said: "If Agamemnon, the supreme commander of the Greeks, is willing to sacrifice to Agamemnon his daughter Iphigenia, born to Clytemnestra, Goddess Artemis, then the goddess will forgive us.

Then there will be a favorable wind on the sea, and the gods will no longer hinder you from taking Troy. " Agamemnon fell into despair after hearing the words of the prophet.He sent the herald Tartipios from Sparta to announce to all the Greeks participating in the war that Agamemnon resigned as the supreme commander of the Greek army because his conscience would not allow him to kill his daughter.When the Greeks heard of this decision, they were very annoyed and threatened to rebel.Menelaus hastened to his lodgings and told his brother the serious consequences of this decision.After persuasion, Agamemnon finally agreed to do this terrible thing: sacrifice his daughter to the goddess.He wrote a letter to Mycenae's wife, Clytemnestra, asking her to send her daughter Iphigenia to Auris.To explain this, he lied to his wife that he was betrothed for his daughter to Achilles, the youngest son of Peleus, the glorious hero Achilles, because no one knew about the secret marriage between Achilles and Deidamia. .However, the messenger who sent the letter had just left, and the feelings of father and daughter caused Agamemnon's conscience to be blamed again.He was bitter and regretted his rash decision.So he called his trusty old servant again that night, and bade him send another letter to his wife, instructing her not to send his daughter to Auris, because he had changed his mind and wanted her betrothed. It was postponed until next spring.

The faithful servant hurried off with the letter, but he failed to reach his destination, for Menelaus, aware of his brother's hesitation, had watched his actions closely.In the early morning, as soon as the old servant left the camp, he was caught by Menelaus and the letter was searched.After reading the letter, he took the letter to his brother. "Damn it, you're shaken again!" he scolded his brother loudly. "Do you remember how you aspired to be the commander of the expeditionary force? How humble and gracious you were, shaking everyone's hand. At that time, you The door is open to everyone who wants to come in, even the most ordinary person. These friendly gestures are just to get the command. Now that the command is in hand, these things suddenly become a thing of the past. You are no longer like You are friends with your old friends as before. You rarely show up in the army, and it is difficult for everyone to see you again. When you brought the army to the port of Auris, when the army was hindered by the gods, when Our people began to complain, and said: 'We would like to set sail and not stay at Porto Auris!' At this moment, you are hesitating and hoping in vain for a favorable wind. You come to me and tell me to do something. idea, to find a way out, just not to lose your proud commander-in-chief position. Later, when the prophet Calchas asked you to sacrifice your daughter to Artemis, you reluctantly agreed. But now you Changed. There are millions of people like you who yearn for position and tirelessly for power, but cringe when they see the need for personal sacrifice to achieve it. Men without reason and insight, in difficult times A man who has lost these qualities before him is not fit to command an army, nor to govern a country."

"Why are you so excited?" said Agamemnon. "Who has offended you? Why are you so angry? Is it because of your beautiful wife, Helen? Why don't you take good care of her? I sensibly Is it stupid to correct rash decisions? You are even more stupid because you want to get a cheating wife back. You should be happy that you are finally lucky enough to get rid of her. No! I must not kill me Flesh and blood!" The two brothers argued and refused to give in to each other.Suddenly a servant came in and reported to Agamemnon that his daughter Iphigenia had arrived, accompanied by her mother and brother Orestes.No sooner had the servants left than Agamemnon suddenly found himself in a situation of utter despair.Menelaus quickly held his front hand to express comfort.Agamemnon said bitterly:

"Brother, victory is yours, take her away!" But Menelaus changed his mind, he was not willing to kill Iphigenia for Helen. "If the oracle lets me determine the fate of your daughter," he said aloud, "then I will give her up, and take mine for Iphigenia." Agamemnon embraces his brother. "I thank you," he said, "my dear brother, for your noble spirit has reunited us. My fate is sealed, and the tragic death of my daughter is inevitable. All Greece demands it. Calchas and cunning Odysseus of Odysseus has reached a tacit understanding that they are fighting for the people and even murdering you and me and then sacrificing Iphigenia. If we escape to Argos, they will come after us and take us from the city , and finally, the ancient Greek city will be crushed. Therefore, I beg you, brother, to keep Clytemnestra from knowing about this, so as to ensure the smooth fulfillment of the oracle."

Just then, the women came in.Menelaus walked away sadly.The husband and wife exchanged a few words, and Agamemnon seemed cold and embarrassed.Daughter hugs father heartily.Seeing her father's gloomy face, she asked with concern, "Why are your eyes so restless? Father, aren't you happy to see me?" "No, my dear boy," said the king with a heavy heart, "a king has great responsibilities and troubles!" "But you wept, father?" said Iphigenia. "Because we will be separated for a long time!" replied the father. "Oh, if I could go with you," cried the daughter joyfully, "how happy it would be!"

"Yes, you also have to make a long journey." Agamemnon said sternly, "First we must sacrifice—my dear daughter, you are indispensable for this sacrifice!" As he spoke , sobbing that he could hardly make a sound.But she didn't know it, and finally he let his daughter live in the tent prepared for her.The child left with a group of entourage.In order to deal with his wife Clytemnestra, Agamemnon introduced the groom's life experience and destiny to her as if acting in a play.As soon as he had sent his wife away, he went to Calchas and consulted with him about the inevitable sacrifice.

However, an accident made Clytemnestra meet the young prince Achilles.Since his soldiers would not wait any longer, he came to Agamemnon.Clytemnestra greeted him as a future son-in-law, and Achilles recoiled in surprise. "Whose marriage are you talking about, Queen?" he asked. "I never courted your daughter, and your husband never mentioned it to me!" Only then did Clytemnestra realize that she had been deceived.She stood in front of Achilles, ashamed and suspicious.But Achilles said with youthful innocence: "Please don't be sad, queen, someone must have made fun of me with you. Don't take it seriously. And, if I hurt you by my frankness, please do me a favor." Forgive me." Having said that, he was about to leave when Agamemnon's faithful old servant happened to come.Menelaus robbed him of his letters that morning.He called Clytemnestra aside and whispered to her: "Agamemnon wants to kill your daughter with his own hands!" Now the mother finally knew the specific content of the oracle.Desperate for life, she turned and threw herself in front of Achilles, embraced his knees, and cried out to him: "Oh, son of the goddess, save me, save my child! I regard you as Her fiancé, I crown her with flowers and send her to the army. Although I have been deceived, I still regard you as her bridegroom! In the presence of all gods and your goddess mother, I beg You, save my daughter. Reach out to us, if you are willing to save us, everything will be better!"

Achilles lifted the queen who was kneeling in front of him with great respect, and said to him: "Don't worry, queen! I grew up in a pious and loving family. I learned simplicity and love from Chiron." Flexible way of thinking. When the sons of Atreus lead me to the path of glory, I am willing to obey their commands, but not to obey the commands of evil. Therefore, I will protect you. I will do my best, Rescue your daughter from her father's knife. Your daughter is considered my wife and I will feel guilty if she dies because of the trick that tricked her into coming here to marry me .If I can't save your child, let me die myself!"

The son of Peleus left after making a solemn pledge to Iphigenia's mother.Clytemnestra also went to find her husband Agamemnon resentfully. The husband didn't know that she had learned the secret, and said to her with a pun: "Call your children out, because the flour, water and The sacrifices for the wedding feast are ready." "Huh!" cried Clytemnestra, with hatred in her eyes, "come out, daughter, and take your brother Orestes Come together!" When her daughter Iphigenia came out of the inner room, she continued: "Look, here she stands, ready to obey your orders. Now, I only want you to answer me, tell me frankly and honestly. Me, are you really going to kill our daughter?"

The king stood there, silent for a long time.Finally, he cried out in despair: "O Goddess of Fortune! You have revealed my secret, and everything is lost!" "Now listen to me," said Clytemnestra, "our marriage is Started with sin. You kidnapped me by violence and killed my ex-husband. I was married to Tantalus, the son of Thyestes. At that time you took my child from your arms and slew him cruelly. My brothers Castor and Polydeuces led after you. You asked my old father Tyndarius for protection, and he rescued you when he saw your pity. and made you my husband. I have kept my marriage vows to be a faithful wife, to make you happy at home and proud abroad, and I have bore you three daughters and a son. Now you want Take my eldest daughter, will you? Why? So that Menelaus may regain his unfaithful wife! Will you kill your own daughter? How will you pray at this time? What do you expect from your prayers when you kill your daughter? Pray for a misfortune to return home, just like you started out, don't you? Or do you want me to pray for you? But I will never pray for a murderer. Why take you Your own children as sacrifices? Why don't you say to all the Greeks: If you will conquer Troy smoothly, then draw lots to decide whose daughter should be sacrificed. Are you fighting for Menelaus to let He saved his daughter Hermione, but asked me to sacrifice my own daughter? Tell me, which one of my words is not true? If what I say is all the truth, then don’t kill my daughter, you think Think about it!" Iphigenia also knelt before her father when she heard these words, and said in tears: "Father, if I had the magic harp of Orpheus, if I could make a sound that moves stubborn stones, then I could Speak eloquently to arouse your sympathy! But I am not capable of this, only tears are my only weapon. Everyone who asks for mercy has an olive branch in his hand, so I have to use my hands instead of an olive branch to hold you knees. Father, don't let me die so young! Are you really going to kill me?Oh, don't do that.I beg you in mother's presence.My mother gave birth to me in October, and now she feels more pain at the thought of my death.What does the matter of Helen and Paris have to do with me?Paris came to Greece and why should I deserve to die?Ah, look into my eyes, have pity on me! " Agamemnon has made up his mind, cold as a stone, he stood there and said: "As long as the law allows me to sympathize, I will sympathize, because I love my children, otherwise I am even worse than animals. I now use Doing terrible things with a heavy heart, but I must. You see what a fleet I command, and how many princes stand around me in armor. My children, if I do not follow The prophecy of the oracle sacrifices you, then Troy will not be captured. The heroes all hope that the Greek women will never be hijacked by the Trojans again, and they all made up their minds. If I do not follow the oracle, they will I will kill you, and I will kill you too. My power has come to an end, and I am powerless. I am not compromising with my brother Menelaus, but obeying the demands of all the Greeks." Having said this, the king left them.While weeping, they suddenly heard the sound of weapons colliding. "That's Achilles!" Clytemnestra exclaimed happily.The son of Peleus strode in, followed by a retinue. "The whole army is in disarray, and they demand the sacrifice of your daughter," he said loudly to the queen, "and I was against them, and was nearly stoned to death by them." "Where are the soldiers from my hometown?" Clytemnestra asked breathlessly. "They took the lead in making noise," Achilles continued, "calling me a lovesick braggart. I will bring these loyal companions to protect you and prevent Odysseus and others from harming you. I will use my life Protect you. And, I should like to see, whether they dare attack the son of a goddess whose fate is bound up with Troy." At this time, Iphigenia suddenly broke free from her mother's arms.She raised her head and faced the queen and Achilles bravely and firmly. "Listen to me!" she said calmly. "My dear mother, don't make your husband angry. He cannot go against the will of the people. I admire the nobleness and bravery of this stranger. But he will pay for it." , he will be reproached. I have made up my mind to accept death. I have driven out any timid thoughts in my mind, and I am willing to finish this matter. The eyes of the Greeks are on me. The departure of the galleys, the departure of Troy The fall depends on me, and the honor of the Greek women rests on me alone. My name will be remembered throughout the ages, and I will be called the savior who liberated Greece. I am a mortal, and the goddess Artemis will I gave my life for my country, and I willingly gave my life. To conquer Troy by sacrificing myself, this is my monument, this is my wedding ceremony." Iphigenia's eyes were shining, like a goddess standing in front of her mother and Achilles.At this time, the young and brave Achilles suddenly knelt down in front of her and said: "Daughter of Agamemnon, if I can enjoy your love, then I will be the happiest person in the world bestowed by God. I Jealous of you giving yourself to Greece, I admire Greece for raising a woman like you, I love you, long for you, please think about it! Death is terrible! I am willing to create good conditions for you, and I am willing to bring you back Hometown, let you live a happy life." Iphigenia smiled and replied: "Because of Helen, women's beauty has caused enough wars and slaughter. My dear friend, you should not die for me, nor kill others for me. No , let me save Greece, of my own free will!" "O noble heart," cried Achilles, "do as you wish! But I will go to the altar with arms to prevent you from dying. Perhaps you will remember my words before you die. .” After speaking, he hurried to the altar in front of the girl.The girl is open-minded, and in order to save the motherland, she happily accepts the challenge of death.The mother fell to the ground in grief, unable to follow her daughter, watching her die. All the armies of Greece were concentrated in the sacred grove of the goddess Artemis.The sacred grove is located outside the city of Auris.The altar was erected, and the priest and seer Calchas stood beside it.Accompanied by a group of maidservants, Iphigenia walked into the sacred grove and walked towards her father at a steady pace. There was a cry of sympathy among the soldiers.Agamemnon lowered his gaze, and the girl came up to him and said: "Dear father, I obeyed the oracle, for the army, for the motherland, and sacrificed my life in front of the altar of the goddess. I am very happy, and I hope you all return to your hometown with luck and victory!" There was another murmur of admiration in the army, when the herald Taltipios called for silence and prayers.The prophet Calchas took out a sharp and shiny steel knife and put it in the golden casket in front of the altar.At this time, Achilles was suddenly fully armed, waving his sword, and stepped onto the altar.The girl glanced at him, and then he changed his mind, threw the sword on the ground, poured holy water on the altar, and taking the golden casket with both hands, walked around the altar like a priest, praying: "O noble goddess Artemis, graciously accept this voluntary and sacred sacrifice! It is offered to you by Agamemnon and all Greece. Let our ships sail, and Troy fall on our spears Down." The soldiers all listened in silence and bowed their heads in salute.Calkas held a steel knife and said prayers.Everyone clearly heard the sound of him swinging the knife, but at this moment a miracle happened!The girl suddenly disappeared in front of the whole army.It turned out that Artemis had pity on her and took her away. In her place was a beautiful doe lying on the ground, struggling in a pool of blood in front of the altar. "Leaders of the Greek coalition," Calchas shouted, "look, look at the sacrifice here, it is sent by the goddess Artemis, who would rather sacrifice this sika deer than that." Girl. The altar does not need to be sprinkled with the blood of the girl. The goddess has forgiven us. She will make our ship sail smoothly and bless us to conquer Troy. Take courage, comrades in arms at sea, today we will Leave Porto Auris!" he said, watching the sacrificial deer slowly burn to ashes in the fire.When the last spark went out, the silence in front of the altar was immediately broken by the howling wind. The soldiers looked up at the harbor, they saw the ships bobbing on the sea, everyone cheered, left the sacred forest, and went back to get ready to go. When Agamemnon returned to his residence, he did not see his wife Clytemnestra.Long before he came back, his confidant servant came and told her the good news of her daughter's rescue, and the queen lifted up her hands with joy, but said no words of thanks to Heaven.She cried out in pain: "My child has been snatched away! He ruined my happiness, I don't want to see this murderer! I need to get out of here. The servant immediately called a carriage and attendants for her. When Agamemnon returned from the sacrifice, his wife was already on the way back to Mycenae.