If You Want Blood…

The bust of Greek hero Diomedes.

…”The Iliad” has it.

From Robert Fagles superb 1990 translation of the epic poem by Homer (Book 5: Diomedes Fights the Gods):

“Shaft poised, he hurled and its long shadow flew

and struck Tydides’ shield, the brazen spearhead

winging, drilling right on through to his breastplate,

Pandarus yelling over him wildly now, “You’re hit–

clean through the side!  You won’t last long, I’d say–

now the glory’s mine!”

But never shaken,

staunch Diomedes shot back, “No hit– you missed!

But the two of you will never quit this fight, I’d say,

till one of you drops and dies and gluts with blood

Ares who hacks at men behind this rawhide shield!”

With that he hurled and Athena drove the shaft

and it split the archer’s nose between the eyes–

it cracked his glistening teeth, the tough bronze

cut off his tongue at the roots, smashed his jaw

and the point came ripping out beneath his chin.

He pitched from his car, armor clanged against him,

a glimmering blaze of metal dazzling round his back–

the purebreds reared aside, hoofs pawing the air

and his life and power slipped away on the wind.”

Hard to find a bloodier or more action packed battle scene anywhere in literature or in Hollywood for that matter…