I fucking love ChatGPT!!!

Achilles and throwing rocks stones boulders.

Who threw rocks in the Iliad?

In Homer’s “Iliad,” the use of rocks as weapons is indeed featured, though not by Achilles. Several characters are described using rocks or boulders during battles. This reflects the brutal and varied nature of ancient combat, where warriors used whatever means available to gain an advantage.

One notable instance is in Book 12, where the Greeks and Trojans engage in heavy fighting near the Greek wall. The Greeks, in particular, resorted to throwing large stones as part of their defensive efforts. This scene vividly portrays the chaos and ferocity of the battle, emphasizing the desperation and raw strength of the warriors involved.

Another example is Ajax the Greater, who is described in multiple instances as hurling huge stones at his enemies. His immense physical strength and stature make him one of the few warriors capable of effectively using such massive projectiles in battle. This portrayal highlights the diverse tactics and weapons used in ancient warfare, beyond the more commonly recognized spears and swords.

Great when my memory fails me!!

In Homer’s “Iliad,” a specific instance of a character using rocks as a weapon is found in Book XII. Here, Telamonian Ajax, known for his immense strength, uses a rock as a weapon in battle:

“Telamonian Ajax was the first to kill, felling brave Epicles, Sarpedon’s friend, with a jagged lump of rock from a heap inside the wall. The youngest and strongest of our generation would have been hard put to lift it in both hands, but Ajax raised it high and hurled it, shattering the four-ridged helm and crushing the skull” oai_citation:1,Homer (c.750 BC) – The Iliad: Book XII – Poetry In Translation.

This vivid description underscores Ajax’s formidable strength and the brutal nature of ancient warfare, where even rocks could serve as lethal weapons.

Another:

In the “Iliad,” besides the instance of Telamonian Ajax using a rock as a weapon, there are other notable examples:

1. In Book 12, both Big and Little Ajax are seen walking along the top of their camp wall, encouraging the Greek soldiers to continue their defense. In this scene, the Greeks are described as raining rocks down on the Trojans below them, while the Trojans also manage to fire back some rocks at the Greeks oai_citation:1,Book 12: The Trojans attack the greeks at the walls — Moan Inc.
2. Another significant moment involving rocks is when Hector, the Trojan hero, pushes through the Greek walls. He takes a huge stone and hurls it against the gate, breaking the lock and causing the gates to fly open. This act enables the Trojan soldiers to enter the camp and set fire to the Greek ships, resulting in the Greeks scattering in terror oai_citation:2,Book 12: The Trojans attack the greeks at the walls — Moan Inc.

These instances illustrate the importance of raw physical strength and the use of any available means, including rocks, in the brutal warfare depicted in the “Iliad.”