After this quarrel has raged some time, Jupiter bids Minerva go down, and violate the truce; so, in the guise of a warrior, she prompts a Trojan archer to aim at Menelaus a dart which produces a nominal wound.

This is enough, however, to excite Agamemnon to avenge the broken treaty.

A moment later the Greek phalanx advances, urged on by Minerva, while the Trojans, equally inspired by Mars, rush to meet them with similar fury.

Streams of blood now flow, the earth trembles beneath the crash of falling warriors, and the roll of war chariots is like thunder.

Although it seems for a while as if the Greeks are gaining the advantage, Apollo spurs the Trojans to new efforts by reminding them that Achilles, their most dreaded foe, is absent.
_Book V._ Seeing the battle well under way, Minerva now drags Mars out of the fray, suggesting that mortals settle their quarrel unaided.
Countless duels now occur, many lives are lost, and sundry miracles are performed.