Ivana's review of the Iliad by Homer (Books XVII- XXIV)

Hello dear readers and fellow bloggers! I'm back with the last and final book review post focusing on the ancient Greek epic poem the Iliad, by Homer.  As I probably mentioned on my blog, I first read the Iliad as an adolescent, and then again and again as an educator. So, it is a work of literature that I'm quite familiar with. Still, every time I read the Iliad by Homer, I feel like I discover something new. This time around, perhaps more than ever, I felt absolutely engrossed in the Iliad. I experienced a whole array of emotions while rereading the Iliad, from fascination, to sadness and even disgust. In reality, I think that we never read a book in the same way, because our inner emotional and psychological state often guides and influences our reading process. I think that rereading a known classic can often prove more beneficial than just picking up any random book. There are as many benefits to rereading, as there are to reading, but back to the subject of the Iliad.

In this post, I will review the Books Seventeen to Twenty-four of the Iliad, and with this I shall be finally finishing my review of The Iliad. For the quotes, I shall use translation by Samuel Butler, from Gutenberg free edition. Like the previous two book reviews published on my blog, this third and final book review will offer a detailed summary of each book as well as my personal commentary on it.  Reading (or better said rereading) Books 17-24 of the Iliad, I was once again surprised at how graphic the descriptions of the battles and the killings were. At some point, I felt nauseated by all the violence described. However, that actually might be the point. Homer wanted to show us the real cost of war. 

Homer names and describes not just the famous heroes, but numerous soldiers that would otherwise remain nameless. Homer describes the violence and killing in utmost detail, and with striking anatomical precision, making me wonder whether he was a veteran himself or had medical knowledge. I also marvel at the precision of his animal imaginary and metaphors. How did he know how the dolphins, hawks or lions hunt? Did he observe the dolphins, and the hawks and the lions? Moreover, as the battle rage ever fiercer, there is even gore (brains are described as leaving the skulls in all four directions and all that). In other words, Homer really shows us the reality of the war. Considering that this epic poem only shows us fifty-one day of this ten year war of Troy, we an only imagine the scale of killing that must have taken place. 

More classical recommendations: Antigone by Sophocles & The Aeneid by Virgil
Sustainable fashion files: the long blue scarf, the pink dress, the suede stilettoes

By showing us the massive scale of killing that happened in a course of few weeks, Homer has written an epic poem that is as much war poetry as it is anti-war poetry. Naturally, the Iliad is not a modern anti-war epic poem, but Homer does show both faces of war, showing us the terrible price of war alongside warrior code. Besides the detailed description of physical, emotional and spiritual suffering of soldiers better or less known, Homer also reminds us of the tragic fate of women, as for example, when captive women taken by Greeks cry publicly for Patroclus, but mourn their own fates, as slavery is. for most, a worse fate than death.

Of course I'm aware of the ever going debate about Homer's true authorship of the Iliad, but in this review we will review him as the author, as it tradition. Homer's authorship was never truly contented because it is a bit of a complicated matter, taken how old this text is. Before this epic poem was ever written down as text, there was an oral tradition of telling epic poems that the author of the Iliad must have built upon. The unity of these epic poems suggests they are the work of one author. The fact that the Iliad and the Odyssey were also a part of oral tradition, does not necessarily negate the single author theory. Therefore, the authorship of both the Iliad and The Odysseus is still traditionally awarded to Homer. 

If you want to read my previous reviews of the Iliad, the links are below, as is my short summary:

1)The Iliad by Homer (Books One to Seven)

In my first review, I explained how the Book One of the Iliad starts with the wrath of Achilles, who refuses to fight after Briseis was taken away from him by Agamemnon, who is the commander of the army of Greeks. The Greek will still fight the Trojans, but without Achilles, and Achilles' wrath will be very significant for the events that shall enfold. In the second book of the Iliad, we have Jove/Zeus sending a false dream to Agamemnon, inspiring him to lead his army to fight Trojans, promising victory and finally an long description and a sort of overview of the Greek ships. In book three we have swearing of oaths, and Helena giving her father -in-law king Priam a nostalgic commentary on the Greek army as Helen misses her former husband and people, and finally the fight between Paris and Menelaus. Paris, who has stolen Helena from her husband Menelaus, offers to fight him in a duel to prevent further bloodshed, but is saved by goddess Aphrodite from certain death by Menelaus, as Paris is no match for him. In Book Four of the Iliad the oats are broken, Agamemnon observes his tropes, and the gods are arguing. In my review, I stressed the role of gods in Book Three,  but even more so in Book Four where we have gods arguing over the Trojans and the Greeks. Book Five focuses on Greek hero Diomedes, who endowed with great strength from goddess Athena kills many Trojan people and hero. Gods often get involved in the war, and even argue about it on the Olympus, with Hera and Athena strongly favouring the Greeks due to insult caused by Paris who deemed Aphrodite the most beautiful goddess. Diomedes, a Greek hero, prompted by goddess Athena kills many Trojans, and almost kills Aeneas, but goddess Aphrodite saves his son Aeneas, and gets wounded in the process.  In my review, I explained how Book Six is one of the most touching books in the Iliad, as it focuses on Hector saying farewell to his wife Andromeda and their infant son, sensing his own death and urging his people to pray.  Book Seven has Hector fight Ajax, and ends with Zeus (Jove) arguing with his brother Poseidon (Neptune). Gods are not as entirely on the side of Greeks as you might imagine, and for me this is what makes this epic so rich and complex. 

2) The Iliad by Homer (Books Eight to Sixteen) 

In my very detailed review and summary, I explained how Book Eight sees Trojans winning the battle, led by brave Hector, and Zeus/Jove stops gods from meddling, particularly Juno (Hera) and Minerva (Athena), ending with a thousand camp fires burning as Trojan army camps outside. Book Nine focuses on the embassy to Achilles, who once again insults Agamemnon and refuses to fight. Book Ten focuses on Ulysses and Diomedes capturing the Trojan spy Dolon, extracting information, killing him and returning to Greek camp with some stolen goods. Book Eleven focuses on Zeus/Jove sending Discord as a sign of favour to the Greeks,  Agamemnon leading the Greek army into battle, and as the battle goes on, Zeus/Jove encourages now Hector (Trojans) and now the Greek, ending with Hector pushing forward and trying to burn the Greek ships. Book Twelve has Zeus turning his eyes away from the battle, and Poseidon stepping in to help the Greeks. Book Thirteen focuses on fighting at the Greek ships, and Book Fourteen has Juno/ Hera seducing Zeus / Jove and luring him to sleep, so the Greeks could be aided and so the Greek forces advance. Book Fifteen sees Greek retreating, and it prepares the reader for involvement of Patroclus, who will with Achilles' permission, fight in Achilles' immortal armour. Book Sixteen has Patroclus bravely fighting the Trojans, and finally him getting killed by Hector, and informing Hector of his impending death. 

Here are also the direct links to every book of the Iliad taken from project Gutenberg: 

BOOK I.

BOOK II.

BOOK III.

BOOK IV.

BOOK V.

BOOK VI.

BOOK VII

BOOK VIII.

BOOK IX.

BOOK X.

BOOK XI.

BOOK XII.

BOOK XIII.

BOOK XIV.

BOOK XV.

BOOK XVI.

BOOK XVII.

BOOK XVIII.

BOOK XIX.

BOOK XX.

BOOK XXI.

BOOK XXII.

BOOK XXIII.

BOOK XXIV.

Sustainable fashion files: the pink dress, the red bag, the white heels

BOOK SEVENTEEN (CHANSON XVII) 

The seventeenth book of the Iliad focuses much on the fight over the body of late Patroclus. It opens with Menelaus defending the body of Patroclus. Homer compares Menelaus with a cow defending her first calf. Overall, we have a lot of animal imaginary in the Iliad. Warriors are often compared to animals, both wild and domestic. Among domestic animals, a cow is often mentioned in the Iliad, as the cow was considered a symbol of wealth, prosperity and even divine status. The highest compliment a woman or even a goddess of ancient Greece could get was 'cow-eyed' for this implied yes of divine and royal beauty. Bovine lore is very much part of the Greek literature, and cows even had ties with the divine. So, by comparing a Menelaus with a mother cow defending her young, Homer is painting him in an honourable light. 

 Menelaus comes into a conflict with a Trojan who wants to take Patroclus and many horse words are exchanged as Trojan wants to revenge his brother, who was killed by Menelaus. Their fight is described in much detail, as are many fights in the Iliad, and the exact manner in which Menelaus kills the young Euphorbus killing is known: "As he spoke he struck Menelaus full on the shield, but the spear did not go through, for the shield turned its point. Menelaus then took aim, praying to father Jove as he did so; Euphorbus was drawing back, and Menelaus struck him about the roots of his throat, leaning his whole weight on the spear, so as to drive it home. The point went clean through his neck, and his armour rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. " 

I found it very touching how Homer describes Euphorbus' hair and used metaphors to describe how Menelaus took his armour: "His hair which was like that of the Graces, and his locks so deftly bound in bands of silver and gold, were all bedrabbled with blood...." Homer then describes how Menelaus would have easily taken the armour off, but Apollo inspired Hector to attack Menelaus. Seeing Hector advancing with many men, Menelaus is torn between fleeing and fighting them and wishes for Ajax to be there, so they could fight together. We see how important honour was for the Greeks here, as any man in his right mind would run against such suicidal odds, but Menelaus is rethinking it because he does not want to be called a coward. While Menelaus  rethinks it, Hector is upon him, and Menelaus flees, but  finds great Ajax and asks him to help him get Patroclus body to Achilles, for the armour is already lost to Hector. 

As Homer says: "Hector had stripped Patroclus of his armour, and was dragging him away to cut off his head and take the body to fling before the dogs of Troy." Now, this is the only time in the Iliad that I find myself judging Hector, for he wanted to throw the body of the Patroclus to the dogs. It seemed so out of character for Hector, who respects the gods, but maybe it is the case of shooting the messenger, for it was Patroclus who foretold him of his death. Maybe all the killing has driven him crazy as well. Maybe it was common practice. Maybe Hector feels himself justified in doing anything because he is defending his country and people. Maybe Hector feeling Jove's support believes he is on the right track. Maybe Hector looks at it as a form of tactics, the destruction of Patroclus body means destruction of Patroclus' soul, and that in turn could destroy Achilles' morale. We have to remember that the Greeks and Trojans were not Christians, they believed that burial plays an important part in preserving the soul for the after life. That also explains why so many Greeks were ready to die for the body of Patroclus, in their eyes they are saving his soul, not just his body. 

Ajax is described as defending Patroclus body as a lion: "...Ajax, therefore, covered the body of Patroclus with his broad shield and bestrode him; as a lion stands over his whelps if hunters have come upon him in a forest when he is with his little ones—in the pride and fierceness of his strength he draws his knit brows down till they cover his eyes—even so did Ajax bestride the body of Patroclus, and by his side stood Menelaus son of Atreus, nursing great sorrow in his heart.

Hector is taunted by his Trojan ally Glacus for refusing to fight and not saving Sarpedon's body ( “Hector,” said he, “you make a brave show, but in fight you are sadly wanting....), but Hector justifies it with the will of Jove, and goes to change into Achilles immortal armour that he had taken from Patroclus, urging his Trojan men to fight on.  Hector changes into Achilles immortal armour and inspired by Zeus and Mars drives the Trojans forward. However, Jove is only temporarily helping Hector, Homer writes:   "When Jove, lord of the storm-cloud, saw Hector standing aloof and arming himself in the armour of the son of Peleus, he wagged his head and muttered to himself saying, “A! poor wretch, you arm in the armour of a hero, before whom many another trembles, and you reck nothing of the doom that is already close upon you. You have killed his comrade so brave and strong, but it was not well that you should strip the armour from his head and shoulders. I do indeed endow you with great might now, but as against this you shall not return from battle to lay the armour of the son of Peleus before Andromache.”

The son of Saturn bowed his portentous brows, and Hector fitted the armour to his body, while terrible Mars entered into him, and filled his whole body with might and valour. With a shout he strode in among the allies, and his armour flashed about him so that he seemed to all of them like the great son of Peleus himself.

There is much fighting. Gods do not stand aside. First the Trojans drive the Greeks back, but great Ajax (one of significant heroes) leads the Greek on. 

At first the Trojans drove the Achaeans back, and they withdrew from the dead man daunted. The Trojans did not succeed in killing any one, nevertheless they drew the body away. But the Achaeans did not lose it long, for Ajax, foremost of all the Danaans after the son of Peleus alike in stature and prowess, quickly rallied them and made towards the front like a wild boar upon the mountains when he stands at bay in the forest glades and routs the hounds and lusty youths that have attacked him .....

Ajax and Hector battle again and the brave Greeks army advances.  However, Apollo then takes the form of Aeneas' old father and inspires Aeneid to fight and saves the Trojans: "The Trojans would now have been worsted by the brave Achaeans and driven back to Ilius through their own cowardice, while the Argives, so great was their courage and endurance, would have achieved a triumph even against the will of Jove, if Apollo had not roused Aeneas, in the likeness of Periphas son of Epytus, an attendant who had grown old in the service of Aeneas’ aged father, and was at all times devoted to him. "

The fierce battle over Patroclus' dead body drags on, lasting all day. Homer says:  Not Mars himself the lord of hosts, nor yet Minerva, even in their fullest fury could make light of such a battle. Achilles is not aware of Patroclus' death. Achilles horses, however, heard of Patroclus' death and heart-broken refuse to move.

The horses of the descendant of Aeacus stood out of the fight and wept when they heard that their driver had been laid low by the hand of murderous Hector. Automedon, valiant son of Diores, lashed them again and again; many a time did he speak kindly to them, and many a time did he upbraid them, but they would neither go back to the ships by the waters of the broad Hellespont, nor yet into battle among the Achaeans; they stood with their chariot stock still, as a pillar set over the tomb of some dead man or woman, and bowed their heads to the ground. Hot tears fell from their eyes as they mourned the loss of their charioteer, and their noble manes drooped all wet from under the yoke-straps on either side the yoke.

Zeus is very sad that Achilles' horses  are crying hot tears, regrets giving these immortal creatures to mortal men, and installs heart into them again: 

The son of Saturn saw them and took pity upon their sorrow. He wagged his head, and muttered to himself, saying, “Poor things, why did we give you to King Peleus who is a mortal, while you are yourselves ageless and immortal? Was it that you might share the sorrows that befall mankind? for of all creatures that live and move upon the earth there is none so pitiable as he is—still, Hector son of Priam shall drive neither you nor your chariot. I will not have it. It is enough that he should have the armour over which he vaunts so vainly. Furthermore I will give you strength of heart and limb to bear Automedon safely to the ships from battle, for I shall let the Trojans triumph still further, and go on killing till they reach the ships; whereon night shall fall and darkness overshadow the land.”

There is a whole subplot with Achilles' horses, as they are rescued. This is all setting the scene for Achilles' arrival. Greek heroes, as brave as they are, cannot be match for Hector, and it seems that only Achilles can take Hector down. This all ties down with the belief in fate and Jove's promise of giving glory to Achilles. As we can see, Zeus (Jove) has power over other gods and over mortal men. Still, even he is powerless sometimes, as when he could not stop the death of his own son, but could only intervene that his body is rescued. 

Anyhow, the immortal horses are fought over. Alcimenon finds Automedon who: " answered, “Alcimedon, there is no one else who can control and guide the immortal steeds so well as you can, save only Patroclus—while he was alive—peer of gods in counsel. Take then the whip and reins, while I go down from the car and fight.”

Hector convinces Aeneas that the two of them should take the horses. Automedon escapes Hector, and Greeks give him support.

 Minerva is satisfied when Menelaus prays to her and inspires him to fight (taking the form of Phoenix).  Menelaus fights well and kills Hector's friend, and then Apollo (in form of a man dear to Hector) inspires Hector to fight. Now it is Zeus that intervenes again with his lighting, turning the tide of war again to Trojan side. However, Jove takes pity on Ajax and Menelaus when Ajax preys to him and lifts a cloud of darkness. 

....O father Jove, lift this cloud from over the sons of the Achaeans; make heaven serene, and let us see; if you will that we perish, let us fall at any rate by daylight.” Father Jove heard him and had compassion upon his tears. Forthwith he chased away the cloud of darkness, so that the sun shone out and all the fighting was revealed. Ajax then said to Menelaus, “Look, Menelaus, and if Antilochus son of Nestor be still living, send him at once to tell Achilles that by far the dearest to him of all his comrades has fallen.”

Menelaus finds Antilochus and tells him to tell Achilles of his death, and grief -stricken himself Antichus sets to the task. Ajax and Menelaus take the chance to get Patroclus body out of the fighting and suffer much to do it: "Ajax answered, “Menelaus, you have said well: do you, then, and Meriones stoop down, raise the body, and bear it out of the fray, while we two behind you keep off Hector and the Trojans, one in heart as in name, and long used to fighting side by side with one another.”

 On this Menelaus and Meriones took the dead man in their arms and lifted him high aloft with a great effort....In this wise did the two heroes strain every nerve to bear the body to the ships out of the fight. "

Book seventeen ends with the Greek retreating before the Trojans: In the rout of the Danaans much goodly armour fell round about the trench, and of fighting there was no end. *

BOOK EIGHTEEN (CHANSON XVII)

Book eighteen opens with Antilochus delivering the news of Patroclus' death to Achilles, who has already feared the death of his friend: 

Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Meanwhile the fleet runner Antilochus, who had been sent as messenger, reached Achilles, and found him sitting by his tall ships and boding that which was indeed too surely true. “Alas,” said he to himself in the heaviness of his heart, “why are the Achaeans again scouring the plain and flocking towards the ships? Heaven grant the gods be not now bringing that sorrow upon me of which my mother Thetis spoke, saying that while I was yet alive the bravest of the Myrmidons should fall before the Trojans, and see the light of the sun no longer. I fear the brave son of Menoetius has fallen through his own daring and yet I bade him return to the ships as soon as he had driven back those that were bringing fire against them, and not join battle with Hector.”

As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly the while. “Alas,” he cried, “son of noble Peleus, I bring you bad tidings, would indeed that they were untrue. Patroclus has fallen, and a fight is raging about his naked body—for Hector holds his armour.”

The grief of Achilles is portrayed by Homer as immense, and this is consistent until the very end of the epic. Grief for Patroclus is not limited to Achilles nor only to Book Eighteen, it is present until the very end of the epic. However, this Book Eighteen does capture the initial cry of grief of Achilles, that is heard by his mother and all the sea nymphs (minor goddesses) around her.

A dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles as he listened. He filled both hands with dust from off the ground, and poured it over his head, disfiguring his comely face, and letting the refuse settle over his shirt so fair and new. He flung himself down all huge and hugely at full length, and tore his hair with his hands. The bondswomen whom Achilles and Patroclus had taken captive screamed aloud for grief, beating their breasts, and with their limbs failing them for sorrow. Antilochus bent over him the while, weeping and holding both his hands as he lay groaning for he feared that he might plunge a knife into his own throat. Then Achilles gave a loud cry and his mother heard him as she was sitting in the depths of the sea by the old man her father, whereon she screamed, and all the goddesses daughters of Nereus that dwelt at the bottom of the sea, came gathering round her.

Achilles' mother Thetis rushes to his side, ever aware that she cannot prevent Achilles' imminent death, but willing to help him in any way she can,  asks about his sorrow, and Achilles tells her of his sorrow at the death of Patroclus, but also his desire to avenge him. Achilles' accepts his fate and death, and appears to have no desire to live apart from that to fulfill his fate by killing as many Trojans as possible, in particular Hector. Achilles' mother does not try to persuade him, as she knows that she cannot escape fate of losing her beloved son, but instead reminds him he has no armour, and declares she will go to god Vulcan to make him a glorious armour. I found it interesting how both Achilles and his mother are constantly aware of his death, as it made me reflect on how it influences their reactions and actions. 

Meanwhile, the battle for Patroclus' body continues, and Iris comes to Achilles asking him to join in, and when he replies that he promised Thetis not to fight until she gets him new armour, Iris says it is enough for him to show himself and it will give heart to the Greek and strike fear into Trojans. Achilles appears on the battlefield, and Athena enhances his appearance with a golden cloud.  Finally, the Greeks manage to save the body of Patroclus from fighting, and the battle ends. Hector rejects sound advice to stop fighting and plans to lead an attack in the morning. Achilles mourns Patroclus, but refuses to burry him before he kills Hector. 

Thetis sets to see Vulcan, and their meeting is described in great length. Vulcan actually owes Thetis a favour because she had saved his life  by hiding and nursing him for seven years when he was casted away from Olympus mountain. So, Vulcan is very happy to receive Thetis as a guest and to make an armour for the son she is fated to lose. Thesis also speaks of her marriage, and how she was basically forced into a marriage with the moral, stressing again how she raised Achilles with much love. I found her talk very touching, for I could imagine her fate. To lose a child is the worst fate, and to be immortal and have a mortal child must be even worse. Anyhow, Vulcan makes splendid armour and shield for Achilles and depicts incredibly detailed scenes on it. The Book 18 ends with Thetis darting off with armour to Achilles: 

Lastly, when the famed lame god had made all the armour, he took it and set it before the mother of Achilles; whereon she darted like a falcon from the snowy summits of Olympus and bore away the gleaming armour from the house of Vulcan.

BOOK NINETEEN (CHANSON XIX) 

Book Nineteen starts with Thetis finding Achilles and presenting him with armour, so glorious the Greeks are afraid to look upon it, to Achilles: 

She found her son fallen about the body of Patroclus and weeping bitterly. Many also of his followers were weeping round him, but when the goddess came among them she clasped his hand in her own, saying, “My son, grieve as we may we must let this man lie, for it is by heaven’s will that he has fallen; now, therefore, accept from Vulcan this rich and goodly armour, which no man has ever yet borne upon his shoulders.”

Achilles arms for war, for he worries the body of Patroclus will start to decompose, but his mother assures him she will take care so it does not rot, putting red nectar into Patroclus' wounds.  Achilles and Agamemnon talk, and in my view they seem to reconcile. Agamemnon blames their arguments on gods, who clouded his mind, and promises gifts to Achilles, who seems indifferent to them, but talks politely to Agamemnon now, respecting his authority as chief commander. It always fascinates me to hear the Greeks speak of the gods, for I'm never certain are they using gods as figures of speech or do they truly believe gods govern their actions? Anyhow, Achilles' mind is on the battle, but Ulysses basically tells Achilles they must eat to regain their strength: 

Ulysses answered, “Achilles, son of Peleus, mightiest of all the Achaeans, in battle you are better than I, and that more than a little, but in counsel I am much before you, for I am older and of greater knowledge. Therefore be patient under my words. Fighting is a thing of which men soon surfeit, and when Jove, who is war’s steward, weighs the upshot, it may well prove that the straw which our sickles have reaped is far heavier than the grain. It may not be that the Achaeans should mourn the dead with their bellies; day by day men fall thick and threefold continually; when should we have respite from our sorrow? Let us mourn our dead for a day and bury them out of sight and mind, but let those of us who are left eat and drink that we may arm and fight our foes more fiercely. In that hour let no man hold back, waiting for a second summons; such summons shall bode ill for him who is found lagging behind at our ships; let us rather sally as one man and loose the fury of war upon the Trojans.”

Now, in Book 19 we also learn something interesting about Briseis, as she grieves for Patroclus who promised to make Achilles marry her. 

Briseis, fair as Venus, when she saw the mangled body of Patroclus, flung herself upon it and cried aloud, tearing her breast, her neck, and her lovely face with both her hands. Beautiful as a goddess she wept and said, “Patroclus, dearest friend, when I went hence I left you living; I return, O prince, to find you dead; thus do fresh sorrows multiply upon me one after the other. I saw him to whom my father and mother married me, cut down before our city, and my three own dear brothers perished with him on the self-same day; but you, Patroclus, even when Achilles slew my husband and sacked the city of noble Mynes, told me that I was not to weep, for you said you would make Achilles marry me, and take me back with him to Phthia, we should have a wedding feast among the Myrmidons. You were always kind to me and I shall never cease to grieve for you.”

In retrospective, now the wrath of Achilles suddenly makes more sense, if he had planned to marry Briseis, then it makes sense he was so upset when Agamemnon took her away. Achilles was unmarried,  and could marry anyone he wanted, and there were many queens who wanted to marry him. A difference between being a wife of a king and a slave of a king was night and day. So, we can see why Briseis was extremely grateful to Patroclus who was willing to intervene on her behalf. We do not get a view into Achilles' heart though, and besides grieving for Patroclus, Briseis is perhaps trying to remind Achilles of her problematic status. We never do learn what happens to her, and whether Achilles acknowledges her at all. Has he forgotten about Briseis? Possibly Achilles did forget, being fully consumed by grief. Other women are also mentioned as lamenting Patroclus' death, but also their own sad fate, and Homer thus  reminds us that many women (if not all) in Greek camps are indeed war captives, to be sold, traded or gifted, awaiting the saddest of faiths: "She (Briseis) wept as she spoke, and the women joined in her lament-making as though their tears were for Patroclus, but in truth each was weeping for her own sorrows. " With this simple sentence, Homer tells us of the horror of slavery and captivity that comes from any war, Trojan war included. These enslaved women are using Patroclus' death as an opportunity to publicly cry over their own fate. We can imagine nobody would have had much patience for their personal tears and sorrow, and so these women had to hide them. These enslaved women could only allow themselves the relief from their hidden grief at public displays of grief or funerals.

Meanwhile, Achilles refuses to eat or drink: "The elders of the Achaeans gathered round Achilles and prayed him to take food, but he groaned and would not do so. "  Achilles is always favoured by gods, and Zeus/Jove asks his daughter to help Achilles,. Being of the same mind, the goddess Minerva/ Athena sips ambrosia into the mouth of sleeping Achilles, so he might not lose his strength in fighting.

The Greek prepare for battle, and as Achilles addresses his immortal horses: “Xanthus and Balius, famed offspring of Podarge—this time when we have done fighting be sure and bring your driver safely back to the host of the Achaeans, and do not leave him dead on the plain as you did Patroclus.”

Hera /Juno gives the power of speech to Achilles horse, and he warns him of his death, and "Achilles answered him in great sadness, saying, “Why, O Xanthus, do you thus foretell my death? You need not do so, for I well know that I am to fall here, far from my dear father and mother; none the more, however, shall I stay my hand till I have given the Trojans their fill of fighting.”

So saying, with a loud cry he drove his horses to the front." 

I must say I felt sorry for Achilles at this point, as he is truly constantly reminded of his death. On the other hand, Achilles seems to have reproached his horses, so I understand their reply. The gods were also perhaps offended, for it seemed that Achilles reproached the immortal horses that were after all gifts from gods. At any rate, the horses are not to blame for anyone's death, they serve every master faithfully. Perhaps we can even conclude that Homer had a special fondness for horses. Of course, Achilles horses are something extraordinary, being immortal, but there are a couple of instances in this epic poem where the heroes are speaking tenderly to their horses, and even one of a man getting killed for a promise of Achilles' horses. Moreover, here we can also see another example of contrasting mortality and immortality. Achilles is in special position, as his mother is a goddess, yet he is still mortal and must be reminded of his mortality. Achilles does not hesitate rushing to his death, though. 

Book: Great civilizations, Ancient Greece
Sustainable fashion files: the dark floral mini dress, the nude heeled sandals, the red bag, the purple straw hat

BOOK TWENTY (CHANSON XX)

In Book Twenty, that starts with a council of gods, Zeus/ Jove allows the gods to fight on their chosen sight, and thus in this book we will see gods actually involved in the fighting: "Thus, then, did the Achaeans arm by their ships round you, O son of Peleus, who were hungering for battle; while the Trojans over against them armed upon the rise of the plain.

Meanwhile Jove from the top of many-delled Olympus, bade Themis gather the gods in council, whereon she went about and called them to the house of Jove. ...

Thus spoke Jove and gave the word for war, whereon the gods took their several sides and went into battle. Juno, Pallas Minerva, earth-encircling Neptune, Mercury bringer of good luck and excellent in all cunning—all these joined the host that came from the ships; with them also came Vulcan in all his glory, limping, but yet with his thin legs plying lustily under him. Mars of gleaming helmet joined the Trojans, and with him Apollo of locks unshorn, and the archer goddess Diana, Leto, Xanthus, and laughter-loving Venus."

Achilles searches for Hector, and god Apollo inspires Aeneas to fight Achilles, despite his reluctance: 

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And Aeneas answered, “Why do you thus bid me fight the proud son of Peleus, when I am in no mind to do so? Were I to face him now, it would not be for the first time. His spear has already put me to flight from Ida, when he attacked our cattle and sacked Lyrnessus and Pedasus; Jove indeed saved me in that he vouchsafed me strength to fly, else had I fallen by the hands of Achilles and Minerva, who went before him to protect him and urged him to fall upon the Lelegae and Trojans. No man may fight Achilles, for one of the gods is always with him as his guardian angel, and even were it not so, his weapon flies ever straight, and fails not to pierce the flesh of him who is against him; if heaven would let me fight him on even terms he should not soon overcome me, though he boasts that he is made of bronze.”

Then said King Apollo, son to Jove, “Nay, hero, pray to the ever-living gods, for men say that you were born of Jove’s daughter Venus, whereas Achilles is son to a goddess of inferior rank. Venus is child to Jove, while Thetis is but daughter to the old man of the sea. Bring, therefore, your spear to bear upon him, and let him not scare you with his taunts and menaces.”

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Seeing this Jove/Hera, asks of her brother Poseidon/ Neptune to intervene on the side of the Greek, but he deems it better if they watched from afar, for their advantage is too great:

Neptune lord of the earthquake answered her saying, “Juno, restrain your fury; it is not well; I am not in favour of forcing the other gods to fight us, for the advantage is too greatly on our own side; let us take our places on some hill out of the beaten track, and let mortals fight it out among themselves. If Mars or Phoebus Apollo begin fighting, or keep Achilles in check so that he cannot fight, we too, will at once raise the cry of battle, and in that case they will soon leave the field and go back vanquished to Olympus among the other gods.”

With these words the dark-haired god led the way to the high earth-barrow of Hercules, built round solid masonry, and made by the Trojans and Pallas Minerva for him to fly to when the sea-monster was chasing him from the shore on to the plain. Here Neptune and those that were with him took their seats, wrapped in a thick cloud of darkness; but the other gods seated themselves on the brow of Callicolone round you, O Phoebus, and Mars the waster of cities.

Aeneas and Achilles fight a long and talkative fight, until Achilles almost wins and kills Aenes, but Neptune remembering his lineage carries Aeneas from the field of battle, asking him: “Aeneas, what god has egged you on to this folly in fighting the son of Peleus, who is both a mightier man of valour and more beloved of heaven than you are? Give way before him whensoever you meet him, lest you go down to the house of Hades even though fate would have it otherwise. When Achilles is dead you may then fight among the foremost undaunted, for none other of the Achaeans shall slay you.”

 Achilles realizes that some god has snatched Aeneas from him, and continues fighting. Both Hector and Achilles lead their men forward. Apollo warns Hector not to fight Achilles, but when Achilles kills Hector's brother in a brutal manner, a fight between them starts. 

"When Hector saw his brother Polydorus with his entrails in his hands and sinking down upon the ground, a mist came over his eyes, and he could not bear to keep longer at a distance; he therefore poised his spear and darted towards Achilles like a flame of fire. When Achilles saw him he bounded forward and vaunted saying, “This is he that has wounded my heart most deeply and has slain my beloved comrade. Not for long shall we two quail before one another on the highways of war.”

Apollo saves Hector from Achilles, and Achilles is furious, and Book Twenty ends with the description of his rage: 

As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought—and the dense forest is in a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues of fire in every direction—even so furiously did Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he were a god, and giving chase to those whom he would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood. Or as one who yokes broad-browed oxen that they may tread barley in a threshing-floor—and it is soon bruised small under the feet of the lowing cattle—even so did the horses of Achilles trample on the shields and bodies of the slain. The axle underneath and the railing that ran round the car were bespattered with clots of blood thrown up by the horses’ hoofs, and from the tyres of the wheels; but the son of Peleus pressed on to win still further glory, and his hands were bedrabbled with gore.

My watercolour pencil sketch, work in progress

BOOK TWENTY-ONE (CHANSON XXI) 

Book Twenty had some graphic war scenes, but book Twenty-one had so much killing in it, that it was mildly sickening to read at this point, but I think that just adds to the realism of the depiction of war. Still, there were times when I had to stop reading this book to get some mental rest. Anyhow, Book 21 opens up with Achilles cutting Trojan forces in two: 

"Now when they came to the ford of the full-flowing river Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove, Achilles cut their forces in two: one half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that the Achaeans had taken when flying panic-stricken on the preceding day with Hector in full triumph; this way did they fly pell-mell, and Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them. The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver-eddying stream, and fell into it with a great uproar. The waters resounded, and the banks rang again, as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies. As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire—the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they huddle into the water—even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles."

Achilles kills so many Trojans in the river, the river turns red with blood, and Homer compares him with a dolphin cathing fish: "As when fish fly scared before a huge dolphin, and fill every nook and corner of some fair haven—for he is sure to eat all he can catch—even so did the Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty river, and when Achilles’ arms grew weary with killing them, he drew twelve youths alive out of the water, to sacrifice in revenge for Patroclus son of Menoetius. "

Obviously killing is not enough, for Achilles also catches some youth for human sacrifice. and again Homer uses animal imaginary comparing the youths to dazed fawns: 

"He drew them out like dazed fawns, bound their hands behind them with the girdles of their own shirts, and gave them over to his men to take back to the ships. Then he sprang into the river, thirsting for still further blood."

The worse part for he is when Achilles comes across one of young Priam son Lycaon, whom he sold to slavery, but who was miraculously bought off by friends and returned to Troy. The youth begs for his life, but Achilles is merciless:  "With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles; but Achilles answered him sternly. “Idiot,” said he, “talk not to me of ransom. Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive; but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilius—and of all Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore, my friend, you too shall die."

Achilles kills many more Trojans, including a grandson of river, and the god of river addresses Achilles, for he had killed so many the river cannot flow to the sea anymore, and Achilles stops killing them in water but continues killing Trojans on land. I mean it is absolute carnage at this point: "As he spoke he set upon the Trojans with a fury like that of the gods. But the river said to Apollo, “Surely, son of Jove, lord of the silver bow, you are not obeying the commands of Jove who charged you straitly that you should stand by the Trojans and defend them, till twilight fades, and darkness is over the earth.” " and the river calls out to Apollo.  Finally, the river god attacks Achilles in a form of a terrible wave, and saves the lives of Trojans caught in its waters in the process. Achilles afraid (more so for his destiny, than life) prays to Jove, and is saved only through interference of gods, as Juno asks of her son Vulcan to use fire to dry out the river, and god of rivers Xantus finally retreats. Next we have gods directly fighting one another.

Xanthus was now beaten, so these two left off fighting, for Juno stayed them though she was still angry; but a furious quarrel broke out among the other gods, for they were of divided counsels. They fell on one another with a mighty uproar—earth groaned, and the spacious firmament rang out as with a blare of trumpets. Jove heard as he was sitting on Olympus, and laughed for joy when he saw the gods coming to blows among themselves. They were not long about beginning, and Mars piercer of shields opened the battle. Sword in hand he sprang at once upon Minerva and reviled her. “Why, vixen,” said he, “have you again set the gods by the ears in the pride and haughtiness of your heart? Have you forgotten how you set Diomed son of Tydeus on to wound me, and yourself took visible spear and drove it into me to the hurt of my fair body?” Minera /Athena beats up Ares/Mars, taunting him he should have known she was much stronger. Venus saves Mars, leading him away, and Juno informs  Minerva of this, so Minerva strikes Venus as well and both of them fall outstretched to earth. Neptune challenges Apollo to a fight, but Apollo refuses to fight a fellow god for sake of mortals. His sister Diana reproaches him calling him a coward, so Juno beats her up with her boat, and Leto and Diana leave the battle, with Diana complaining of Juno to her father. Meanwhile, Priam watches the battle and orders the gates to be opened. Apollo puts courage into a heart of one of Trojan heroes, and takes his place when Achilles charges over him: 

"Apollo ran but a little way before him and beguiled Achilles by making him think all the time that he was on the point of overtaking him. Meanwhile the rabble of routed Trojans was thankful to crowd within the city till their numbers thronged it; no longer did they dare wait for one another outside the city walls, to learn who had escaped and who were fallen in fight, but all whose feet and knees could still carry them poured pell-mell into the town."

My painting watercolour painting inspired by the Iliad

BOOK TWENTY-TWO (CHANSON XXII) 

 Book Twenty-two opens with Apollo revealing to Achilles his true identity: 

"Thus the Trojans in the city, scared like fawns, wiped the sweat from off them and drank to quench their thirst, leaning against the goodly battlements, while the Achaeans with their shields laid upon their shoulders drew close up to the walls. But stern fate bade Hector stay where he was before Ilius and the Scaean gates. Then Phoebus Apollo spoke to the son of Peleus saying, “Why, son of Peleus, do you, who are but man, give chase to me who am immortal? Have you not yet found out that it is a god whom you pursue so furiously? You did not harass the Trojans whom you had routed, and now they are within their walls, while you have been decoyed hither away from them. Me you cannot kill, for death can take no hold upon me.” Achilles is again furious for  Apollo has saved more Trojan lives and denied him of his fame. However, Hector waits for Achilles, determined to fight him. His father Priam pleads with Hector to come inside, and so does his mother Hecuba, but Hector is determined to fight Achilles to death of one of them. Achilles charges him, and Hector's horses drive him around the city walls thrice. All gods watch, and Jove feels pity, but Minerva questions Jove's compassion, and Jove promises to let her have her way. Minerva hurries down, and approaches both Achilles and Hector (in form of his brother). 

.... Achilles made signs to the Achaean host, and shook his head to show that no man was to aim a dart at Hector, lest another might win the glory of having hit him and he might himself come in second. Then, at last, as they were nearing the fountains for the fourth time, the father of all balanced his golden scales and placed a doom in each of them, one for Achilles and the other for Hector. As he held the scales by the middle, the doom of Hector fell down deep into the house of Hades—and then Phoebus Apollo left him. Thereon Minerva went close up to the son of Peleus and said, “Noble Achilles, favoured of heaven, we two shall surely take back to the ships a triumph for the Achaeans by slaying Hector, for all his lust of battle. Do what Apollo may as he lies grovelling before his father, aegis-bearing Jove, Hector cannot escape us longer. Stay here and take breath, while I go up to him and persuade him to make a stand and fight you.”

Thus spoke Minerva. Achilles obeyed her gladly, and stood still, leaning on his bronze-pointed ashen spear, while Minerva left him and went after Hector in the form and with the voice of Deiphobus. She came close up to him and said, “Dear brother, I see you are hard pressed by Achilles who is chasing you at full speed round the city of Priam, let us await his onset and stand on our defense.”

Again, the battle between Hector and Achilles is described in detail, but this time no god comes to Hector's aid, and Achilles wins over. Hector pleads with Achilles to allow his parents a proper burial, but Achilles denies it, calling him a dog. "Hector with his dying breath then said, “I know you what you are, and was sure that I should not move you, for your heart is hard as iron; look to it that I bring not heaven’s anger upon you on the day when Paris and Phoebus Apollo, valiant though you be, shall slay you at the Scaean gates.” "

Achilles says he will accept his fate, and goes on to massacre Hector's body, even tying it to the chariot and dragging it on dirt. Everyone in the city of Troy cries for their hero. Hector's wife is the last to hear of it, and her lament is the most terrible one, and ends the chapter. Again, in her lament Homer speaks of slavery and the tragic fate of war prisoners. Hector's wife feels sorry for her infant son, who will either be killed by some Greek soldier or live a life of slavery.  I was really sad for Hector and even more for his family here, as the prediction he made came true. We do not actually learn of what happens to his wife in the Iliad, but we know it is a sad fate. I also felt sorry for Achilles who seems inhuman in his rage. It is strange how at peace with his death Achilles seem to feel, it is as if he transformed into a horrible killing machine. True, Hector also did not intent to spare Patroclus body, but at least Hector was defending his city and people. Achilles seems to live only to kill, so his life feels wasted to a modern reader. We do not know how the readers of old thought about Achilles, but it is strange that his glory is increased only through massive killing. 

BOOOK TWENTY-THREE (CHANSON XXIII) 

Book Twenty-three sees the Greek returning to camp, and so finally a funeral for Patroclus is to be organized. 

Thus did they make their moan throughout the city, while the Achaeans when they reached the Hellespont went back every man to his own ship. But Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his brave comrades saying, “Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus, in due honour to the dead. When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here.”

On this they all joined in a cry of wailing and Achilles led them in their lament. Thrice did they drive their chariots all sorrowing round the body, and Thetis stirred within them a still deeper yearning. The sands of the sea-shore and the men’s armour were wet with their weeping, so great a minister of fear was he whom they had lost. Chief in all their mourning was the son of Peleus: he laid his blood-stained hand on the breast of his friend. “Fare well,” he cried, “Patroclus, even in the house of Hades. I will now do all that I erewhile promised you; I will drag Hector hither and let dogs devour him raw; twelve noble sons of Trojans will I also slay before your pyre to avenge you.”

Spirit of Patroclus appears to Achilles in his sleep, asking him to hurry with the funeral, and also to put their bones in the same urn, and Achilles said he would have done it without being asked, but when he reaches for Patroclus to hug him, his friend's ghost disappears and he tells others of this. 

“One prayer more will I make you, if you will grant it; let not my bones be laid apart from yours, Achilles, but with them; even as we were brought up together in your own home, what time Menoetius brought me to you as a child from Opoeis because by a sad spite I had killed the son of Amphidamas—not of set purpose, but in childish quarrel over the dice. The knight Peleus took me into his house, entreated me kindly, and named me to be your squire; therefore let our bones lie in but a single urn, the two-handled golden vase given to you by your mother.”

And Achilles answered, “Why, true heart, are you come hither to lay these charges upon me? I will of my own self do all as you have bidden me. Draw closer to me, let us once more throw our arms around one another, and find sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows.”

Achilles promises Hector shall not be devour by fire but dogs: "Then he committed all to the resistless and devouring might of the fire; he groaned aloud and called on his dead comrade by name. “Fare well,” he cried, “Patroclus, even in the house of Hades; I am now doing all that I have promised you. Twelve brave sons of noble Trojans shall the flames consume along with yourself, but dogs, not fire, shall devour the flesh of Hector son of Priam.”"  Hector body is not eaten by dogs, as promised by Achilles,  for the gods save it by covering it with ambrosia and darkness. 

Thus did he vaunt, but the dogs came not about the body of Hector, for Jove’s daughter Venus kept them off him night and day, and anointed him with ambrosial oil of roses that his flesh might not be torn when Achilles was dragging him about. Phoebus Apollo moreover sent a dark cloud from heaven to earth, which gave shade to the whole place where Hector lay, that the heat of the sun might not parch his body.

 First the fire to burn Patroclus body will not start, but after Achilles' prayer, Iris fetches two winds and it does. The next day, Patroclus' bones are placed in urn, and urn in a place where Achilles ask to be buried as well. Achilles does all he promised to do, apart from leaving Hector to the dogs, but including burning captured Trojan youths. This part was deeply disturbing to read as it involved human sacrifice.

 At length as the Morning Star was beginning to herald the light which saffron-mantled Dawn was soon to suffuse over the sea, the flames fell and the fire began to die. The winds then went home beyond the Thracian sea, which roared and boiled as they swept over it. The son of Peleus now turned away from the pyre and lay down, overcome with toil, till he fell into a sweet slumber. Presently they who were about the son of Atreus drew near in a body, and roused him with the noise and tramp of their coming. He sat upright and said, “Son of Atreus, and all other princes of the Achaeans, first pour red wine everywhere upon the fire and quench it; let us then gather the bones of Patroclus son of Menoetius, singling them out with care; they are easily found, for they lie in the middle of the pyre, while all else, both men and horses, has been thrown in a heap and burned at the outer edge. We will lay the bones in a golden urn, in two layers of fat, against the time when I shall myself go down into the house of Hades. As for the barrow, labour not to raise a great one now, but such as is reasonable. Afterwards, let those Achaeans who may be left at the ships when I am gone, build it both broad and high.”

What follows are the funeral games, supervised by Achilles who awards rich prizes to winners.  Many Greek heroes compete in these funeral games that include: racing, wresting, boxing and so on, proving their strength and winning prizes. Thus we see Ulysses, Diomedes, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Ajax and many others in action again. We even see the god meddling a bit, because apparently that is what they do best. I think this was Homer's chance to remind us of the great deeds of these Greek heroes ago. However, at this point I was a bit disgusted with all them them, after all the killing that preceded these funeral games, not to mention the youth being burn as sacrifice. Still, there was a nice moment when old Nestor was given a prize despite not being able to compete because of his old age. This Book Twenty-three ends with Agamemnon winning the first prize by throwing the spear the furthest. 

Sustainable fashion files: light green blazer and blue dress, the handmade designer paper bag, the brown platform sandals

BOOK TWENTY -FOUR (CHANSON XXIV) 

Thus we arrive at the last and possibly the most touching book in the Iliad, that focuses on king Priam beginning Achilles to return him the body of his son Hector.  Book 24 opens with Achilles driving Hector's body around, and Apollo protecting the body from the ruin. Gods feel sorry for Hector, but Hera in her hate for all Trojans, prevents the gods from stealing Hector's body away. Apollo addresses the gods, pleading for Hector, and Zeus asks Iris to call for Thetis and then asks of Thetis to ask of her son to return the body. 

So, the scene for this tragic meeting of Priam and Achilles was already set, as Jove told Tetis to inform Achilles of the will of the gods, and Achilles agreed. One of the gods (Hermes in shape of a mortal) helps king Priam so he reaches Achilles unharmed, and when they arrive reveals his identity.  Gods often communicate by taking the form of mortal men. This is because seeing the true form of a god would startle men. As readers we can assume that Achilles will return the body,  still, there is some uncertainty as Priam reaches Achilles' tend, especially since Achilles has been so cruel up to this point. However, what follows is a masterful and touching depiction of grieve. Achilles remembers his own father when he sees Priam, and both of them cry for the loved ones they have lost: 

As when some cruel spite has befallen a man that he should have killed some one in his own country, and must fly to a great man’s protection in a land of strangers, and all marvel who see him, even so did Achilles marvel as he beheld Priam. The others looked one to another and marvelled also, but Priam besought Achilles saying, “Think of your father, O Achilles like unto the gods, who is such even as I am, on the sad threshold of old age. It may be that those who dwell near him harass him, and there is none to keep war and ruin from him. Yet when he hears of you being still alive, he is glad, and his days are full of hope that he shall see his dear son come home to him from Troy; but I, wretched man that I am, had the bravest in all Troy for my sons, and there is not one of them left. I had fifty sons when the Achaeans came here; nineteen of them were from a single womb, and the others were borne to me by the women of my household. The greater part of them has fierce Mars laid low, and Hector, him who was alone left, him who was the guardian of the city and ourselves, him have you lately slain; therefore I am now come to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with a great ransom. Fear, O Achilles, the wrath of heaven; think on your own father and have compassion upon me, who am the more pitiable, for I have steeled myself as no man yet has ever steeled himself before me, and have raised to my lips the hand of him who slew my son.”

Thus spoke Priam, and the heart of Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his father. He took the old man’s hand and moved him gently away. The two wept bitterly—Priam, as he lay at Achilles’ feet, weeping for Hector, and Achilles now for his father and now for Patroclus, till the house was filled with their lamentation. But when Achilles was now sated with grief and had unburthened the bitterness of his sorrow, he left his seat and raised the old man by the hand, in pity for his white hair and beard; then he said, “Unhappy man, you have indeed been greatly daring; how could you venture to come alone to the ships of the Achaeans, and enter the presence of him who has slain so many of your brave sons? You must have iron courage: sit now upon this seat, and for all our grief we will hide our sorrows in our hearts, for weeping will not avail us. The immortals know no care, yet the lot they spin for man is full of sorrow; on the floor of Jove’s palace there stand two urns, the one filled with evil gifts, and the other with good ones. He for whom Jove the lord of thunder mixes the gifts he sends, will meet now with good and now with evil fortune; but he to whom Jove sends none but evil gifts will be pointed at by the finger of scorn, the hand of famine will pursue him to the ends of the world, and he will go up and down the face of the earth, respected neither by gods nor men. Even so did it befall Peleus; the gods endowed him with all good things from his birth upwards, for he reigned over the Myrmidons excelling all men in prosperity and wealth, and mortal though he was they gave him a goddess for his bride. But even on him too did heaven send misfortune, for there is no race of royal children born to him in his house, save one son who is doomed to die all untimely; nor may I take care of him now that he is growing old, for I must stay here at Troy to be the bane of you and your children. And you too, O Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime happy. They say that in wealth and plenitude of offspring you surpassed all that is in Lesbos, the realm of Makar to the northward, Phrygia that is more inland, and those that dwell upon the great Hellespont; but from the day when the dwellers in heaven sent this evil upon you, war and slaughter have been about your city continually. Bear up against it, and let there be some intervals in your sorrow. Mourn as you may for your brave son, you will take nothing by it. You cannot raise him from the dead, ere you do so yet another sorrow shall befall you.”

Achilles returns the body to Priam, and urges him to sleep outside so he is not discovered. Priam asks for twelve days of truce for funeral, and Achilles agrees. Priam is woken from his sleep by god Hermes, that urges him to go back to Troy and he does. A funeral is organised for Hector and many weep at his fate, with the last one being his sister-in-law Helen, who as we know, loved him dearly:

Thus did she too speak through her tears with bitter moan, and then Helen for a third time took up the strain of lamentation. “Hector,” said she, “dearest of all my brothers-in-law—for I am wife to Alexandrus who brought me hither to Troy—would that I had died ere he did so—twenty years are come and gone since I left my home and came from over the sea, but I have never heard one word of insult or unkindness from you. When another would chide with me, as it might be one of your brothers or sisters or of your brothers’ wives, or my mother-in-law—for Priam was as kind to me as though he were my own father—you would rebuke and check them with words of gentleness and goodwill. Therefore my tears flow both for you and for my unhappy self, for there is no one else in Troy who is kind to me, but all shrink and shudder as they go by me. She wept as she spoke and the vast crowd that was gathered round her joined in her lament. Then King Priam spoke to them saying, “Bring wood, O Trojans, to the city, and fear no cunning ambush of the Argives, for Achilles when he dismissed me from the ships gave me his word that they should not attack us until the morning of the twelfth day.””

Priam assures everyone they will have truce for twelve days as promised by Achilles and thus the Iliad ends with Hector being finally buried properly.  Homer chose to show only a couple of weeks of the Trojan war, but somehow he managed to show all of its horror. Contrary to what some think, the death of Achilles is never shown in the Iliad, nor is the fall of Troy. Homer is brilliant when it comes to setting the scene, building the suspense, writing battle scenes and even creating touching emotional moments. 

One would expect a Greek writer to create an epic poem that shows the Greek as ideal, and Trojans as bad. However, Homer does not do that, but instead shows us both the glory and the horror of the war. Both the Trojans and the Greek in this epic poem are shown as humans, capable of both compassion and cruelty, and subject to the whims of gods and fate. It is easy to state why the Iliad is such a masterpiece. It is a complex, rich and wonderfully plotted tale. Homer uses literary devices of his time, starting in media res, and using retardation and digressions to enrich the tale, all the while capturing the full attention of his readers. The realistic depiction of war, killing and slavery is almost sickening at time, but it shows the cruelty of life. Indeed, life is hard and cruel for everyone, and best a human can hope for is a brief moment of happiness. Neither are the gods as depicted by Homer happy. They often suffer with and for the humans, and if they are cruel, they are also compassionate at times. The Iliad is full of suffering and violence, but it also speaks of love, friendship and family. It shows the deep emotional and social life of its protagonists, with all their tragedies and pain. The Iliad requires attention and concentration from its reader, but it rewards it with a powerful tale and fascinating description and insight into the lives and beliefs of ancient Greek. 

Collage made of various images connected with the Iliad

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