The war begins

Ovid - Metamorphoses
The invasion of Troy

                                        [Rumour] spread the tidings
That the Greek fleet was coming, and brave armies,
And so the Trojans, dressed in readiness,
Received them at their shores. Protesilaus
Was first to fall, so the fates willed, when Hector
Let fly the deadly spear. The early fighting
Cost the Greeks dear, and Hector gave them lessons
In how to kill. And Trojans learned these lessons
In blood, and Sigean shores were turned to crimson.

Cygnus, the son of Neptune, slew his thousands;
Achilles, in his car, rode through the Trojans
levelling columns with his spear, and seeking
Cygnus or Hector. Hector was denied him
Till the tenth year, but he did meet with Cygnus,
Urged on his horses, whose white necks were straining
Against the yoke, rode down his enemy,
Brandished his spear, and cried:

                                        "Whoever you are,
O youth, take this for comfort in your dying:
It was Achilles of Thessaly who killed you!"

After the taunt, the spear. It did not swerve,
And the point was sharp, but only bruised the breast,
No damage done.....

                                        Down from his chariot
He leapt, closed in, swung sword, saw shield and helmet
Both pierced, and felt the sword go blunt on the body.
This was too much; with shield and hilt as weapons
Over and over again he beat on the temples,
The unprotected visage.
                                        One gave way,
And one came pressing on; no rest was given,
No respite from that battle shock.And fear
Took hold of Cygnus, the dark shadows swam
Before his eyes: as he stepped back, a boulder
Barred off retreat. As he bent back against it,
Achilles dragged him down, rode him with knees
And shield together, loosed his helmet-thongs,
Fastened them tight around the throat, kept choking,
Was ready to strip the armour for his prize,
And found the armour empty, for the sea-god
Had changed him into the snowy bird whose name
He had while living.