As an observation on the comment by 6charlong about repeated use of certain phrases it also seems to depend on the translation one has in hand. In the Lattimore translation that I finally settled on goddesses, or at least noble women, are regularly referred to as “of the white arms.” Juno is often described in this way as is Aphrodite and Hektor's wife. Yet when I searched for the phrase “white arms” in the ebook version of the Butler translation it was not to be found.
I have been struck by how often events are influenced by the immortal gods, whether just providing advice or inspiration to fight. Or even an active role in battle such as preventing harm to those they wish to protect or aiding in injuring or killing the enemy. Yet the behavior and motivation of these gods is often capricious and even child like. When Ares is injured in battle at the end of Book 5 (by Athena) he goes running back to Jove and says:
Quote:
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"Father Zeus, are you not angry looking on these acts of violence? We who are gods are forever have to endure the most horrible hurts, by each other's hatred, as we try to give favour to mortals. It is your fault we fight, since you brought forth this maniac daughter accursed, whose mind is fixed forever on unjust action. For all the rest, as many as are gods on Olympos, are obedient to you, and we all have rendered ourselves submissive. Yet you say nothing and do nothing to check this girl, letting her go free, since you begot this child of perdition, . . . "
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Very much like on child running to complain to a parent about a sister who is being unfair in games they are playing together.