Simile Post, by Frank Genovese

In Iliad 16, the battle between the Greek forces and the Trojan forces escalated into a bloody massacre on both fronts. Patroclus, who donned Achilles' armor and entered the front lines of battle, had just killed many people in rapid succession. This catches the eye of Sarpedon, who jumps off his chariot as Patroclus jumps off his own. Before they meet and exchange dialogue, this simile is presented:

High above a cliff vultures are screaming
In the air as they savage each other's craws
With their hooked beaks and talons.
--Iliad 16.465-467 (Lombardo)

This, except loud and bloody.

This simile appeals to the reader's senses of sight and sound. The viewer can quite easily compare the "savage vultures" to the warriors on the battleground, thrusting their spears through every enemy body they have the opportunity to attack. The mutilation and gore that is constantly going on through these battles is only somewhat touched upon during death scenes; if one were to instead picture the scene presented through the simile, they could easily catch a glimpse of the chaos and gore of it all. The vultures gnawing and clawing at each other, digging into their innards and ripping out as much as they can...that is precisely what is going on in the midst of the battle. It is a gruesome sight to think of, but it is the harsh reality of war.

The price of war.

Meanwhile, this simile also appeals to the reader's sense of sound. The squawks and shrieks of the vultures fueled by nothing but anger and pain represent the screams of the soldiers below, their spears and swords clanging with shields or ripping through the skin of their enemies. The only difference between the two environments is that there are a lot more people on the battleground, which means the screams are much louder, the bodies pile on higher, and the blood is much more aplenty. This, everyone, is war in ancient times.   It is truly a gruesome thought to behold.