Today Zeus keeps his promise to Thetis. The Greeks will not enjoy it.
The Iliad · C1
Book Eight: The Scales of Zeus
Not to mention, to say nothing of, what’s more, forbid someone to, at stake, come to the rescue, have second thoughts, in vain, turn the tide and anything but: C1 grammar and idiom for the day Zeus turned against the Greeks.
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SOPHIA
PHILO
An archer! At last, someone who doesn’t stand in the front line.
The story
After Homer’s Iliad, Book Eight
Zeus forbade the gods to take part in the war. With a golden chain, he said, he could pull them all up to heaven, not to mention the earth and the sea. Then he went to Mount Ida and weighed the fates of the two armies in his golden scales, and everyone knew what was at stake: the Greeks’ fate sank.
The Greeks fled. Odysseus ran straight past old Nestor, so it was Diomedes who came to the rescue. Three times he had second thoughts about running, and three times Zeus thundered. On Olympus, Hera tried in vain to persuade Poseidon to help.
Then Zeus sent an eagle with a fawn in its claws, and the omen turned the tide. Teucer the archer shot from behind his brother Ajax’s shield, though his position was anything but safe, until Hector broke his bowstring with a rock.
Hera and Athena set out to help the Greeks, but Zeus sent Iris to stop them: he would lame their horses, and what’s more, he would strike them with thunderbolts. That night, a thousand Trojan fires burned on the plain, to say nothing of the horses waiting by the chariots for dawn.
As when the stars shine bright around the moon, so many were the fires…
Not to mention; to say nothing of; what’s more
MARCOS
He could pull up the gods, not to mention the earth! A thousand fires, to say nothing of the horses! What’s more, he’ll use thunderbolts!
SOPHIA
not to mention / to say nothing of + noun add something bigger. What’s more (informal), moreover / furthermore (formal) add a stronger point. Never what more.
Forbid to; at stake; come to the rescue
PHILO
Zeus forbade the gods to take part. Everyone knew what was at stake. Diomedes came to the rescue.
SOPHIA
forbid someone to / from. at stake = at risk. come to someone’s rescue.
Second thoughts; in vain; turn the tide; anything but
DEMETRIA
He had second thoughts. Hera tried in vain. The eagle turned the tide. Teucer’s position was anything but safe.
SOPHIA
have second thoughts = doubt a decision. in vain = without success. turn the tide = change the direction of events. anything but = not at all; nothing but = only.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| not to mention; to say nothing of | adding something bigger | …not to mention the earth and the sea. |
| what’s more / moreover | adding a stronger point | What’s more, he will use thunderbolts. |
| forbid someone to; at stake | prohibition; risk | Everyone knew what was at stake. |
| come to the rescue; have second thoughts; in vain | idioms of action | Hera tried in vain to persuade Poseidon. |
| turn the tide; anything but | change; not at all | His position was anything but safe. |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct form.
1. Zeus forbade the gods ___ part in the war.
2. He could pull up the gods, ___ the earth and the sea.
3. Everyone knew what was ___ stake.
4. Diomedes came ___ the rescue.
5. Hera tried ___ vain to persuade Poseidon.
6. Teucer’s position was anything ___ safe.
B · Write
Write the correct form of the word in brackets, or the missing word.
7. Three times he had thoughts about running.
8. The eagle turned the , and the Greeks charged again.
9. A thousand fires, to say nothing the horses.
10. He will lame your horses. more, he will strike you with thunderbolts.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “What more, Zeus sent an eagle.”
12. “The Trojans ate nothing but barley and wheat.”
13. “Teucer tried for vain to hit Hector.”
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