The Slip in the Race

A lost footing, a favored winner, and a disputed prize

A race can turn on something other than speed. Ajax falls because Athena helps his rival; Nisus falls on the remains of sacrifice. Virgil repeats the mishap, then makes the fallen runner intervene for his own friend.

1. Iliad 23.773–784
2. Aeneid 5.327–333
3. Aeneid 5.334–342