Then Jove urged them on to fight.

They flew forth like the blasts of some fierce wind that strike earth in the van of a thunderstorm--they buffet the salt sea into an uproar; many and mighty are the great waves that come crashing in one after the other upon the shore with their arching heads all crested with foam--even so did rank behind rank of Trojans arrayed in gleaming armour follow their leaders onward.

The way was led by Hector son of Priam, peer of murderous Mars, with his round shield before him--his shield of ox-hides covered with plates of bronze--and his gleaming helmet upon his temples.

He kept stepping forward under cover of his shield in every direction, making trial of the ranks to see if they would give way before him, but he could not daunt the courage of the Achaeans.

Ajax was the first to stride out and challenge him.