Dennis Hollingsworth

Bird's Eye View

At once he sent an eagle, most significant of winged birds, the dark hunter whom they also call the 'dusky eagle', his wings stretched as wide on either side as the well-bolted doors of a rich man's lofty hall. It appeared on the right as it swooped through the city, and those watching rejoiced and their spirits were raised.
Homer, Iliad XXIV 315-21

A bird had appeared to them as they were eager to advance, a high-flying eagle, skirting the army on the left, holding in its talons a monstrous blood-red snake, alive and still writhing. Nor had the snake given up the fight, but it twisted back on itself and struck the eagle gripping it on the breast by the neck; and the eagle in sharp pain dropped it to the ground, so that it fell among the throng, while with a loud cry he soared away on the currents of air. The Trojans shuddered when they saw the gleaming snake lying among them, a portent from almighty Zeus.
Homer, Iliad XII 200-08

Polydamas, I don't now want to hear this sort of message. Surely you can come up with a better story than that? If you are really serious in what you are saying the gods must have scrambled your brains, since you are telling me to forget the advice Zeus, lord of the thunder, gave me as a solemn promise himself. You tell me to follow the flight of long-winged birds, creatures that do not interest me at all. I do not care whether they fly to the right towards the morning sun or to the left into the murky western gloom. We must listen to the advice of almighty Zeus, who is king of all mortals and immortals alike. One omen alone is best--to fight for one's country.
Homer, Iliad XII 231-43