Next Diomedes killed two sons of Dardan Priam / careening on in a single car, Echemmon and Chromius / As a lion charges cattle, calves, and heifers / browsing the deep glades and snaps their necks, so Tydides pitched them both from the chariot, / gave them a mauling--gave them little choice-- / quickly stripped their gear and passed their team / to his men to lash back to the ships.
Importance
This shows the ruthlessness of the Achaean army. Diomedes is so bloodthirsty and eager to prove himself that he does not care about the people he is killing. This shows a turning point in the Trojan War. Previously, the two armies were basically tied and neither was winning, but now the strength of Diomedes represents how the Greeks are now pulling ahead of the Trojans. Because of this, we know that the war will be over soon and the Greeks will be the victors.
Analysis
Homer specifically mentions the lives of soldiers that are being killed. He talks about their family members and who their fathers were, and this ads a note of personality to them. Instead of being anonymous dead Trojans, readers are made the feel sympathy and compassion toward them. This is interesting because one would think that Homer would strive to make the Trojans seem like evil people but the humanity that he gives them adds realism to the scene.
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