Iliad book 7.290-end

It is at this point in the story that it finally strikes me how out of our current reality the mortals way of thinking is. It seems to be a very real approach “to fight again, until the divinity choses between us, and gives victory to one or the other.” This speech makes Hektor seem so nonchalant about the consequences of war. Why do the mortals go to such great lengths to have an even matched fight to begin with? So many refused to fight Hektor because they feel they are an ill-fitted opponent, but even when Aias stepped up and was clearly winning against him, Appolo drops in to lift Hektor to safety. And Hektor then has the nerve to say lets all be friends now. At least Poseidon recognizes this ‘agreement’ between mortals and gods is being ignored by the Achaians by the end of book seven and plans to make some trouble…