This simile is evocative of the water and dust comparison in earlier books. The battle whirls under its own strength and creates a chaotic din. Hector is compared to an eagle as he swoops down on the Greeks, who are described as a flock of birds. This simile reflects the bird comparisons of Book 1 with a significant alteration. The Greeks are not birds of prey, but a confused flock of birds.
Hector is a lone eagle picking off the distracted birds as they fly around in confusion.
Menelaus is compared to a mother cow protecting her young as her stands over the body of Patroclus. Ajax is compared to a lion over his cubs when he does the same thing. The body of Patroclus is thus rendered as precious as a creature's young. Menelaus is given a maternal aspect as he fends off attackers with his own body. Ajax lashes out and keeps the Trojans at bay.