... and the Odyssey the characters are commonly described as entering states of "temporary clouding or bewildering of the normal consciousness" (p.5). This state of temporary loss of control is what Dodds means by the term ate. An example of this divine intervention is demonstrated when, in the Iliad, Agamemnon, to compensate for the loss of his own mistress, steals Achilles' mistress. In his defence, instead of taking responsibility for his actions, Agamemnon points to Zeus and the Erinys and says, "They it was who in the assembly put wild ate in my understanding, on that day when I arbitrarily took Achilles' prize from him. So what could I do?"(p.3) Agamemnon's excuse could be interpreted as a weak attempt to avoid responsibility however Dodd makes the strong assertion that this is not the case. He backs up this assertion by pointing to the fact that when Achillis is explaining the events ...

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