Homer, Iliad, 24.159

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Thus the swift-footed Iris spake, and then

Departed. Priam bade his sons prepare

The strong-wheeled chariot, drawn by mules, and bind

A coffer on it. He descended next

245

Into a fragrant chamber, cedar-lined,

High-roofed, and stored with many things of price,

And calling Hecuba, his wife, he said: -

"Dear wife, a message from Olympian Jove

Commands that I betake me to the fleet,

250

And thence redeem my slaughtered son with gifts

That may appease Achilles. Tell me now

How this may seem to thee? for I am moved

By a strong impulse to approach the ships,

And venture into the great Grecian camp."

255

Iliad. Homer. Boston. 1870.

Current edition Experimental

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) (English) (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ἰλιάς Perseus (Homer. Homeri Opera, Volumes 1-2. Monro, D. B. (David Binning), editor; Allen, Thomas W. (Thomas William), editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908-1920.) — 24.159 focus

ὣς ἔφατʼ, ὦρτο δὲ Ἶρις ἀελλόπος ἀγγελέουσα.

ἷξεν δʼ ἐς Πριάμοιο, κίχεν δʼ ἐνοπήν τε γόον τε.

160

παῖδες μὲν πατέρʼ ἀμφὶ καθήμενοι ἔνδοθεν αὐλῆς

δάκρυσιν εἵματʼ ἔφυρον, ὃ δʼ ἐν μέσσοισι γεραιὸς

ἐντυπὰς ἐν χλαίνῃ κεκαλυμμένος· ἀμφὶ δὲ πολλὴ

κόπρος ἔην κεφαλῇ τε καὶ αὐχένι τοῖο γέροντος

τήν ῥα κυλινδόμενος καταμήσατο χερσὶν ἑῇσι.

165

θυγατέρες δʼ ἀνὰ δώματʼ ἰδὲ νυοὶ ὠδύροντο

τῶν μιμνησκόμεναι οἳ δὴ πολέες τε καὶ ἐσθλοὶ

χερσὶν ὑπʼ Ἀργείων κέατο ψυχὰς ὀλέσαντες.

στῆ δὲ παρὰ Πρίαμον Διὸς ἄγγελος, ἠδὲ προσηύδα

τυτθὸν φθεγξαμένη· τὸν δὲ τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα·

170

θάρσει Δαρδανίδη Πρίαμε φρεσί, μὴ δέ τι τάρβει·

οὐ μὲν γάρ τοι ἐγὼ κακὸν ὀσσομένη τόδʼ ἱκάνω

ἀλλʼ ἀγαθὰ φρονέουσα· Διὸς δέ τοι ἄγγελός εἰμι,

ὅς σευ ἄνευθεν ἐὼν μέγα κήδεται ἠδʼ ἐλεαίρει.

λύσασθαί σʼ ἐκέλευσεν Ὀλύμπιος Ἕκτορα δῖον,

175

δῶρα δʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ

οἶον, μὴ δέ τις ἄλλος ἅμα Τρώων ἴτω ἀνήρ.

κῆρύξ τίς τοι ἕποιτο γεραίτερος, ὅς κʼ ἰθύνοι

ἡμιόνους καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐΰτροχον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὖτις

νεκρὸν ἄγοι προτὶ ἄστυ, τὸν ἔκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

180

μὴ δέ τί τοι θάνατος μελέτω φρεσὶ μηδέ τι τάρβος·

τοῖος γάρ τοι πομπὸς ἅμʼ ἕψεται ἀργεϊφόντης,

ὅς σʼ ἄξει εἷός κεν ἄγων Ἀχιλῆϊ πελάσσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἀγάγῃσιν ἔσω κλισίην Ἀχιλῆος,

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς κτενέει ἀπό τʼ ἄλλους πάντας ἐρύξει·

185

οὔτε γάρ ἔστʼ ἄφρων οὔτʼ ἄσκοπος οὔτʼ ἀλιτήμων,

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἐνδυκέως ἱκέτεω πεφιδήσεται ἀνδρός.

ἣ μὲν ἄρʼ ὣς εἰποῦσʼ ἀπέβη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις,

αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ υἷας ἄμαξαν ἐΰτροχον ἡμιονείην

ὁπλίσαι ἠνώγει, πείρινθα δὲ δῆσαι ἐπʼ αὐτῆς.

190

αὐτὸς δʼ ἐς θάλαμον κατεβήσετο κηώεντα

κέδρινον ὑψόροφον, ὃς γλήνεα πολλὰ κεχάνδει·

ἐς δʼ ἄλοχον Ἑκάβην ἐκαλέσσατο φώνησέν τε·

δαιμονίη Διόθεν μοι Ὀλύμπιος ἄγγελος ἦλθε

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντʼ ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

195

δῶρα δʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ τί τοι φρεσὶν εἴδεται εἶναι;

αἰνῶς γάρ μʼ αὐτόν γε μένος καὶ θυμὸς ἄνωγε

κεῖσʼ ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆας ἔσω στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν.

Translations (7)

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.) — 24.159 focus

So spake he, and storm-footed Iris hasted to bear his message. 160 She came to the house of Priam, and found therein clamour and wailing. His sons sat about their father within the court sullying their garments with their tears, and in their midst was the old king close-wrapped in his mantle; and upon the old man's head and neck was filth in abundance, 165 which he had gathered in his hands as he grovelled on the earth. And his daughters and his sons' wives were wailing throughout the house, bethinking them of the warriors many and valiant who were lying low, slain by the hands of the Argives. And the messenger of Zeus drew nigh to Priam, and spake to him; 170 softly she uttered her voice, yet trembling gat hold of his limbs:

Be of good courage, O Priam, son of Dardanus, and fear thou not at all. Not to forbode any evil to thee am I come hither, but with good intent. I am a messenger to thee from Zeus, who far away though he be, hath exceeding care for thee and pity. 175 The Olympian biddeth thee ransom goodly Hector, and bear gifts to Achilles which shall make glad his heart; alone do thou go, neither let any man beside of the Trojans go with thee. A herald may attend thee, an elder man, to guide the mules and the light-running waggon, 180 and to carry back to the city the dead, even him that Achilles slew. Let not death be in thy thoughts, neither any fear; such a guide shall go with thee, even Argeiphontes, who shall lead thee, until in his heading he bring thee nigh to Achilles. And when he shall have led thee into the hut, 185 neither shall Achilles himself slay thee nor suffer any other to slay; for not without wisdom is he, neither without purpose, nor yet hardened in sin; nay, with all kindliness will he spare a suppliant man.

When she had thus spoken swift-footed Iris departed; but the king bade his sons 190 make ready the running mule waggon, and bind the wicker box thereon. And himself he went down to the vaulted treasure-chamber, fragrant of cedar wood and high of roof, that held jewels full many: and he called to him Hecabe his wife, and spake:

Lady, from Zeus hath an Olympian messenger come to me, 195 that I go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom my dear son, and that I bear gifts to Achilles which shall make glad his heart. But come, tell me this, how seemeth it to thy mind? For as touching mine own self, wondrously doth the desire of my heart bid me go thither to the ships, into the wide camp of the Achaeans.

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad of Homer, rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. London: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1898.) — 24.104 focus

104 "So, goddess Thetis," said he, "for all your sorrow, and the grief [ penthos] that I well know reigns ever in your heart, you have come hither to Olympus , and I will tell you why I have sent for you. This nine days past the immortals have been quarreling about Achilles waster of cities and the body of Hektor. The gods would have Hermes slayer of Argos steal the body, but in furtherance of our decency [ aidôs] and sense of being near-and-dear [ philotês] henceforward, I will concede such honor to your son as I will now tell you. Go, then, to the host and lay these commands upon him; say that the gods are angry with him, and that I am myself more angry than them all, in that he keeps Hektor at the ships and will not give him up. He may thus fear me and let the body go. At the same time I will send Iris to great Priam to bid him go to the ships of the Achaeans, and ransom his son, taking with him such gifts for Achilles as may give him satisfaction.

120 Silver-footed Thetis did as the god had told her, and forthwith down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus . She went to her son's tents where she found him grieving bitterly, while his trusty comrades round him were busy preparing their morning meal, for which they had killed a great woolly sheep. His mother sat down beside him and caressed him with her hand saying, "My son, how long will you keep on thus grieving and making moan? You are gnawing at your own heart, and think neither of food nor of woman's embraces; and yet these too were well, for you have no long time to live, and death with the strong hand of fate are already close beside you. Now, therefore, heed what I say, for I come as a messenger from Zeus; he says that the gods are angry with you, and himself more angry than them all, in that you keep Hektor at the ships and will not give him up. Therefore let him go, and accept a ransom for his body."

138 And Achilles answered, "So be it. If Olympian Zeus of his own motion thus commands me, let him that brings the ransom bear the body away."

141 Thus did mother and son talk together at the ships in long discourse with one another. Meanwhile the son of Kronos sent Iris to the strong city of Ilion . "Go," said he, "fleet Iris, from the mansions of Olympus , and tell King Priam in Ilion , that he is to go to the ships of the Achaeans and free the body of his dear son. He is to take such gifts with him as shall give satisfaction to Achilles, and he is to go alone, with no other Trojan, save only some honored servant who may drive his mules and wagon, and bring back the body of him whom noble Achilles has slain. Let him have no thought nor fear of death in his heart, for we will send the slayer of Argos to escort him, and bring him within the tent of Achilles. Achilles will not kill him nor let another do so, for he will take heed to his ways and err not, and he will entreat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy."

159 On this Iris, fleet as the wind, sped forth to deliver her message. She went to Priam's house, and found weeping and lamentation therein. His sons were seated round their father in the outer courtyard, and their raiment was wet with tears: the old man sat in the midst of them with his mantle wrapped close about his body, and his head and neck all covered with the filth which he had clutched as he lay groveling in the mire. His daughters and his sons' wives went wailing about the house, as they thought of the many and brave men who lost their life-breath [ psukhê], slain by the Argives. The messenger of Zeus stood by Priam and spoke softly to him, but fear fell upon him as she did so. "Take heart," she said, "Priam offspring of Dardanos , take heart and fear not. I bring no evil tidings, but am minded well towards you. I come as a messenger from Zeus, who though he be not near, takes thought for you and pities you. The lord of Olympus bids you go and ransom noble Hektor, and take with you such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles.

176 You are to go alone, with no Trojan, save only some honored servant who may drive your mules and wagon, and bring back to the city the body of him whom noble Achilles has slain. You are to have no thought, nor fear of death, for Zeus will send the slayer of Argos to escort you. When he has brought you within Achilles' tent, Achilles will not kill you nor let another do so, for he will take heed to his ways and err not, and he will entreat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy."

188 Iris went her way when she had thus spoken, and Priam told his sons to get a mule-wagon ready, and to make the body of the wagon fast upon the top of its bed. Then he went down into his fragrant store-room, high-vaulted, and made of cedar-wood, where his many treasures were kept, and he called Hecuba his wife. "Wife," said he, "a messenger has come to me from Olympus , and has told me to go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom my dear son, taking with me such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles. What think you of this matter? for my own part I am greatly moved to pass through the of the Achaeans and go to their ships."

200 His wife cried aloud as she heard him, and said, "Alas, what has become of that judgment for which you have been ever famous both among strangers and your own people? How can you venture alone to the ships of the Achaeans, and look into the face of him who has slain so many of your brave sons? You must have iron courage, for if the cruel savage sees you and lays hold on you, he will know neither respect nor pity. Let us then weep Hektor from afar here in our own house, for when I gave him birth the threads of overruling fate were spun for him that dogs should eat his flesh far from his parents, in the house of that terrible man on whose liver I would fain fasten and devour it. Thus would I avenge my son, who showed no cowardice when Achilles slew him, and thought neither of Right nor of avoiding battle as he stood in defense of Trojan men and Trojan women."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 24.159 focus

Then Iris, fleet as the wind, sped forth to deliver her message. [160] She went to Priam’s house, and found weeping and lamentation therein. His sons were seated round their father in the outer courtyard, and their raiment was wet with tears: the old man sat in the midst of them with his mantle wrapped close about his body, and his head and neck all covered with the filth [165] which he had clutched as he lay groveling in the mire. His daughters and his sons’ wives went wailing about the house, as they thought of the many and brave men who lost their life-breath [ psūkhē], slain by the Argives. The messenger of Zeus stood by Priam [170] and spoke softly to him, but fear fell upon him as she did so. “Take heart,” she said, “Priam, offspring of Dardanos, take heart and fear not. I bring no evil tidings, but am minded well towards you. I come as a messenger from Zeus, who though he be not near, takes thought for you and pities you. [175] The lord of Olympus bids you go and ransom noble Hector, and take with you such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles. You are to go alone, with no Trojan, save only some honored servant who may drive your mules and wagon, and bring back to the city [180] the body of him whom noble Achilles has slain. You are to have no thought nor fear of death, for Zeus will send the slayer of Argos to escort you. When he has brought you within Achilles’ tent, [185] Achilles will not kill you nor let another do so, for he will take heed to his ways and err not, and he will treat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy.”

Iris went her way when she had thus spoken, and Priam told his sons to get a mule-wagon ready, [190] and to make the body of the wagon fast upon the top of its bed. Then he went down into his fragrant store-room, high-vaulted, and made of cedar-wood, where his many treasures were kept, and he called Hecuba his wife. “Wife,” said he, “a messenger has come to me from Olympus, [195] and has told me to go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom my dear son, taking with me such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles. What think you of this matter? for my own part greatly does the power [ menos] of my heart [ thūmos] bid me to go there through the broad camp of the Achaeans to their ships.”

[200]

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.159 focus

Then down her bow the winged Iris drives,

195

And swift at Priam's mournful court arrives:

Where the sad sons beside their father's throne

Sat bathed in tears, and answered groan with groan.

And all amidst them lay the hoary sire,

(Sad scene of woe!) his face, his wrapp'd attire

200

Conceal'd from sight; with frantic hands he spread

A shower of ashes o'er his neck and head.

From room to room his pensive daughters roam;

Whose shrieks and clamours fill the vaulted dome;

Mindful of those, who, late their pride and joy,

205

Lie pale and breathless round the fields of Troy!

Before the king Jove's messenger appears,

And thus in whispers greets his trembling ears:

‘Fear not, oh father! no ill news I bear;

‘From Jove I come, Jove makes thee still his care;

210

‘For Hector's sake these walls he bids thee leave,

‘And bear what stern Achilles may receive:

‘Alone, for so he wills: no Trojan near,

‘Except, to place the dead with decent care,

‘Some aged herald, who, with gentle hand,

215

‘May the slow mules and funeral car command.

‘Nor shalt thou death, nor shalt thou danger dread;

‘Safe through the foe by his protection led:

‘Thee Hermes to Pelides shall convey,

‘Guard of thy life, and partner of thy way.

220

‘Fierce as he is, Achilles' self shall spare

‘Thy age, nor touch one venerable hair:

‘Some thought there must be in a soul so brave,

‘Some sense of duty, some desire to save.’

She spoke, and vanish'd. Priam bids prepare

225

His gentle mules, and harness to the car;

There, for the gifts, a polish'd casket lay:

His pious sons the king's commands obey.

Then pass'd the monarch to his bridal-room,

Where cedar-beams the lofty roofs perfume,

230

And where the treasures of his empire lay;

Then call'd his queen, and thus began to say:

‘Unhappy consort of a king distress'd!

‘Partake the troubles of thy husband's breast:

‘I saw descend the messenger of Jove,

235

‘Who bids me try Achilles' mind to move,

‘Forsake these ramparts, and with gifts obtain

‘The corse of Hector, at yon navy slain.

‘Tell me thy thought: my heart impels to go

‘Through hostile camps, and bears me to the foe.’

240

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.159 focus

This said, flew Iris from Olympus high

To Priam's house, where little was of joy.

His sons about him weeping sat, and he

I' th' midst involved in his cloak so just,

150

That one th' impression of his limbs might see,

His head and neck bedaub'd with dung and dust,

Which he himself had thrown upon his head.

His daughters, and his sons' wives, howling went

About, for brothers and for husbands that were dead,

155

And to the shades by th' Argives had been sent.

Then Iris unto Priam coming near,

With soft and gentle voice unto him said:

Priam, be bold, for no ill news I bear

(For trembling sat he, and was sore afraid),

160

Jove bids you to Achilles tent to go,

And carry with you other Trojans none

But one old squire, your char'ot to look to,

And bring away the body of your son ;

And honourable presents with you bear,

165

Wherewith Achilles may be well content.

lIe bids you neither death nor danger fear,

So good a guardian with you shall be sent;

Hermes shall guide you to Achilles' tent.

When you are there, past is the danger all;

170

Achilles will not kill you, but prevent

The harm that may from others on rOll fall.

He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,

And pity has on them that to him pray

In their distress, and at his mercy lie.

175

When Iris this had said, she went away.

Then Priam said unto his sons, Arise,

And make a waggon ready out of hand ;

And to a cedar chamber down he hies,

Where his most precious household-stuff did stand,

180

And thither call'd his wife, and to her said,

Jove's messenger t' Achilles bids me go

With ransom for my son. I'm not afraid,

But what think you ? Is't best to go, or no ?

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.159 focus

This said, the Rainbow to her feet tied whirlwinds, and the place

Reach'd instantly. The heavy court Clamour and Mourning fill'd.

The sons all set about the sire, and there stood Grief, and 'still'd

165

¹²

Tears on their garments. In the midst the old king sate, his weed

All wrinkled, head and neck dust fil'd; the princesses his seed,

The princesses his sons' fair wives, all mourning by, the thought

Of friends so many, and so good, being turn'd so soon to nought

By Grecian hands, consum'd their youth, rain'd beauty from their eyes.

170

Iris came near the king, her sight shook all his faculties,

And therefore spake she soft, and said: "Be glad, Dardanides;

Of good occurrents, and none ill, am I ambassadress.

Jove greets thee, who, in care, as much as he is distant, deigns

Eye to thy sorrows, pitying thee. My ambassy contains

175

This charge to thee from him: He wills thou shouldst redeem thy son,

Bear gifts t' Achilles, cheer him so; but visit him alone,

None but some herald let attend, thy mules and chariot

To manage for thee. Fear nor death let daunt thee, Jove hath got

Hermes to guide thee, who as near to Thetis' son as needs

180

Shall guard thee; and being once with him, nor his, nor others', deeds

Stand touch'd with, he will all contain, nor is he mad, nor vain,

Nor impious, but with all his nerves studious to entertain

One that submits with all fit grace." Thus vanish'd she like wind.

He mules and chariot calls, his sons bids see them join'd, and bind

185

A trunk behind it; he himself down to his wardrobe goes,

Built all of cedar, highly roof'd, and odoriferous,

That much stuff, worth the sight, contain'd. To him he call'd his queen,

Thus greeting her: "Come, hapless dame, an angel I have seen,

Sent down from Jove, that bad me free our dear son from the fleet

190

With ransom pleasing to our foe. What holds thy judgment meet?

My strength and spirit lays high charge on all my being to bear

The Greeks' worst, vent'ring through their host." The queen cried out to hear

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.159 focus

He ceased; then Iris tempest-wing'd arose,

Jove's messenger, and, at the gates arrived

Of Priam, woe and wailing found within.

205

Around their father, in the hall, his sons

Their robes with tears water'd, while them amidst

The hoary King sat mantled, muffled close,

And on his venerable head and neck

Much dust was spread, which, rolling on the earth,

210

He had shower'd on them with unsparing hands.

The palace echoed to his daughters' cries,

And to the cries of matrons calling fresh

Into remembrance many a valiant Chief

Now stretch'd in dust, by Argive hands destroy'd.

215

The messenger of Jove at Priam's side

Standing, with whisper'd accents low his ear

Saluted, but he trembled at the sound.

Courage, Dardanian Priam! fear thou nought;

To thee no prophetess of ill, I come;

220

But with kind purpose: Jove's ambassadress

Am I, who though remote, yet entertains

Much pity, and much tender care for thee.

Olympian Jove commands thee to redeem

The noble Hector, with an offering large

225

Of gifts that may Achilles' wrath appease.

Alone, thou must; no Trojan of them all

Hath leave to attend thy journey thither, save

An ancient herald to direct thy mules

And thy wheel'd litter, and to bring the dead

230

Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew.

Let neither fear of death nor other fear

Trouble thee aught, so safe a guard and sure

He gives thee; Mercury shall be thy guide

Even to Achilles' presence in his tent.

235

Nor will himself Achilles slay thee there,

Or even permit thy death, but will forbid

All violence; for he is not unwise

Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend,

But will his suppiant with much grace receive.

240

So spake the swift ambassadress, and went.

Then, calling to his sons, he bade them bring

His litter forth, and bind the coffer on,

While to his fragrant chamber he repair'd

Himself, with cedar lined and lofty-roof'd,

245

A treasury of wonders, into which

The Queen he summon'd, whom he thus bespake.

Hecuba! the ambassadress of Jove

Hath come, who bids me to the Greecian fleet,

Bearing such presents thither as may sooth

250

Achilles, for redemption of my son.

But say, what seems this enterprize to thee?

Myself am much inclined to it, I feel

My courage prompting me amain toward

The fleet, and into the Achaian camp.

255

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

analysis of the significance of nóos and néomai in the speech of Diomedes

source

Gregory Nagy

The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, not of Achilles. And it is Hector, not Achilles, who is lamented at the end. But it is Achilles who makes it all happen, since he has transcended his rage and has shown mercy to an old father. The tears of Priam had made Achilles think of his own old father, of his own ancestors—and of Patroklos, who embodied the glories of the ancestors. Achilles was looking bad at the beginning of Iliad 23 and even at the beginning of Iliad 24, but he looks very good by the time Iliad 24 comes to a close.

draft js image error Mourners lament as Hector’s corpse is laid out in preparation for the funeral that closes Iliad Rhapsody 24. Copperplate etching (1795) by Tommaso Piroli, after a drawing (1793) by John Flaxman. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

source

Homer Iliad 24.159

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