In the Iliad, book 6, lines 11–13 and 16–18, Homer uses the poetic technique of alliteration with a little onomatopoeia. In the beginning of book 6, the gods have left the Greek and Trojan troops to their own devices in battle. The Greek hero Ajax throws the first blow, killing Acamas, a warrior on the Trojan side. As described in lines 11–13 of Robert Fagles’s translation, Ajax wields his spear to hit the ridge
of the helmet's horsehair crest—the bronze point
stuck in Acamas’ forehead pounding through the skull
and the dark came swirling down to shroud his eyes.
Several instances of smooth alliteration—“helmet's horsehair,” “point … pounding, “stuck … skull,” “dark … down,” and “swirling … shroud”—simulate the quick action of this efficient and graphic murder. Homer packs a lot of visual imagery and activity within just three lines, from the initial impact to a man’s final...
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death.
Also, a few of these words are examples of onomatopoeia that add auditory imagery to this gruesome scene. Homer emphasizes the strong stabbing nature of the spear’s “point” that “stuck” in Acamas' forehead and went “pounding” and piercing through his “skull.” Acamas then hemorrhages to the point where so much blood flows freely out of his head that it comes “swirling” down thick enough to cover or “shroud” his eyes as if he were enveloped in a sheet for burial.
In lines 16–18, the Greek Diomedes murders Axylus, a well-off soldier fighting for the Trojans. Axylus is known for being a welcoming host, a
a man of means and a friend to all mankind,
at his roadside house he'd warm all corners in.
But who of his guests would greet his enemy now ....
Homer sharply contrasts this character’s sociable nature from previous happier times to his lonely, vulnerable fate in war. Examples of alliteration like “man of means … mankind” and “his … house he’d” emphasize not only his own wealth and comfort, but also his generosity, fellowship, and hospitality to everyone. Axylus is well-connected as a rich man with many friends and seemingly no enemies.
Unfortunately, none of his visitors are around now to defend him and save him from Diomedes. Instead, Homer asks, “who of his guests would greet his” attackers? The close repetition of “his” before “guests” and “enemy” contrasts the poor Axylus’s relationships; he is no longer a popular host but hunted prey. His “guests” do not “greet” his attacker as he had warmly welcomed them.