This expertly aimed spear casts a shadow as it flies through the air, and its reach is far. Surprising then that it fails to hit the target, deflected by a strong shield.

See also the bestellar reviews, complete with rich quote-mosaics, of Adam Nicolson’s magnificent Why Homer Matters, and Christopher Logue’s War Music, a muscular rendition of several books of the Iliad. 

‘First of the two Alexandros let go his spear far-shadowing

and struck the shield of Atreus’ son on its perfect circle

nor did the bronze point break its way through, but the spearhead bent

back

in the strong shield.’

Source: Homer, The Iliad of Homer, trans. Richmond Lattimore (Chicago: Chicago UP, 1961 (1951)), book 3, p. 109