camp by erecting earthworks. While the Greeks are feasting, the
Trojans debate whether it would not be wise to apologize for the
broken truce and restore Helen and her treasures to the Greeks. But
this suggestion is so angrily rejected by Paris that Priam suggests
they propose instead an armistice of sufficient length to enable both
parties to bury their dead.

At dawn, therefore, Trojan heralds visit Agamemnon's tent to propose a
truce, and offer any indemnification save Helen's return. But,
although the Greeks consent to an armistice, they feel so confident of
success that they refuse all offers of indemnity. Both parties now
bury their dead, a sight witnessed by the gods, who, gazing down from
Olympus, become aware of the earthen ramparts .erected during the
night to protect the Greek fleet. This sight prompts Neptune to
express jealous fears lest these may eclipse the walls he built around
Troy, but Jupiter pacifies him by assuring him he can easily bury them
beneath the sand as soon as the war is over.

_Book VIII._ At daybreak Jupiter summons the gods, forbidding them to
lend aid to either party, under penalty of perpetual imprisonment in
Tartarus. Having decreed this, Jupiter betakes himself to Mount Ida,
whence he proposes to watch all that is going on. It is there, at
noon, that he takes out his golden balances, and places in opposite
scales the fates of Troy and Greece. A moment later a loud clap of
thunder proclaims the day's advantage will remain with the Trojans,
whose leader, Hector, is protected by Jupiter's thunder-bolts each
time that Diomedes attacks him. This manifestation of divine favor
strikes terror in the hearts of the Greeks, but encourages the
Trojans. They, therefore, hotly pursue the Greeks to their ramparts,
which Hector urges them to scale when the foe seeks refuge behind