eas [p100] from the field when they are having difficulties.
             Goddesses physically influence the weapons being used in battle. In the case of Pandarus breaking the truce between the two sides, Athene stops the arrow fired at from being fatal by deflecting it.
             Another means by which goddesses help humans is by making people appear more fearful or more beautiful. When Achilles ventures out to the Greek wall in Book 18 [p342] to raise a battle cry, he is joined by Athene, and together they terrify the Trojans.
             The support of a goddess defines whether an action will be successful or not.
             The outcome of the war is in part foretold by the goddesses who have chosen to support each side. Here and Athene support the Achaeans, both powerful goddesses with very close connections to Zeus (as his wife and closest daughter) who have already been shown as capable of influencing Zeus' decisions.
             The Trojan side has as its patron goddesses Artemis and Aphrodite. This does not bode well for the Trojans, as Artemis is portayed as useless in battle - the most major fight she gets into is with Hera in Book 21 [p392], where she bursts into tears and runs away, compared to a "pigeon that flies before a hawk and has the luck to get away alive...". She is clearly no match for Here, and similarly Aphrodite is no match for Athene. Aphrodite is recognised as a "timid goddess" by Diomedes, she is "not one of those that play a dominating part in the battles of mankind, such as Athene, or Enyo, sacker of towns". When Aphrodite is attacked by Athene in Book 21 [p391], "Aphrodite, showing no fight at all, collapsed at once". The contrast between the goddesses on each side of the battle serves to underline the fate of Troy, by highlighting the difference in power between the two sides.
             When an individual has the support of a goddess it gives them a greater chance of success in their endeavours. When Nestor notices Telemachus' companion turn into an eagle an...