Book XII, sometimes called “the book of the wall,” completes the first grand sweep of Trojan successes as Homer builds up to the re-entry of Achilles. The Book opens with the explanation that in the future the wall will be completely destroyed by Poseidon, showing the impermanence of human creation. The passage on the future of the wall is somewhat reminiscent of Shelley’s “Ozymandias” that points out the futility of human pride. In both works, the impermanence of human accomplishments is contrasted with the overwhelming natural power of the universe.
