Homer, Iliad, 24.93

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So spake the goddess-queen, and, speaking, took

Her mantle, - darker web was never worn, -

And onward went. Wind-footed Iris led

The way; the waters of the sea withdrew

On either side. They climbed the steepy shore,

130

And took their way to heaven. They found the son

Of Saturn, him of the far-sounding voice,

With all the blessed, ever-living gods

Assembled round him. Close to Father Jove

She took her seat, for Pallas yielded it,

135

And Juno put a beautiful cup of gold

Into her hand, and spake consoling words.

She drank and gave it back, and thus began

The father of immortals and of men:-

"Thou comest to Olympus, though in grief,

140

O goddess Thetis, and I know the cause

That makes thee sad and will not from thy thoughts;

Yet let me now declare why I have called

Thee hither. For nine days the immortal gods

Have been at strife concerning Hector's corse

145

And Peleus' son, the spoiler. They have asked

The vigilant Argus-queller to remove

The dead by stealth. But I must yet bestow

Fresh honor on Achilles, and thus keep

Thy love and reverence. Now descend at once

150

Into the camp and carry to thy son

My message: say that it offends the gods,

And me the most, that in his spite he keeps

The corse of Hector at the beaked ships,

Refusing to restore it. He perchance

155

Will listen, and, revering me, give back

The slain. And I will send a messenger,

Iris, to large-souled Priam, bidding him

Hasten in person to the Grecian fleet,

To ransom his beloved son, and bring

160

Achilles gifts that shall appease his rage."

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.) — 24.93 focus

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα κάλυμμʼ ἕλε δῖα θεάων

κυάνεον, τοῦ δʼ οὔ τι μελάντερον ἔπλετο ἔσθος.

βῆ δʼ ἰέναι, πρόσθεν δὲ ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις

ἡγεῖτʼ· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα σφι λιάζετο κῦμα θαλάσσης.

ἀκτὴν δʼ ἐξαναβᾶσαι ἐς οὐρανὸν ἀϊχθήτην,

εὗρον δʼ εὐρύοπα Κρονίδην, περὶ δʼ ἄλλοι ἅπαντες

εἵαθʼ ὁμηγερέες μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες.

ἣ δʼ ἄρα πὰρ Διὶ πατρὶ καθέζετο, εἶξε δʼ Ἀθήνη.

100

Ἥρη δὲ χρύσεον καλὸν δέπας ἐν χερὶ θῆκε

καί ῥʼ εὔφρηνʼ ἐπέεσσι· Θέτις δʼ ὤρεξε πιοῦσα.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·

ἤλυθες Οὔλυμπον δὲ θεὰ Θέτι κηδομένη περ,

πένθος ἄλαστον ἔχουσα μετὰ φρεσίν· οἶδα καὶ αὐτός·

105

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἐρέω τοῦ σʼ εἵνεκα δεῦρο κάλεσσα.

ἐννῆμαρ δὴ νεῖκος ἐν ἀθανάτοισιν ὄρωρεν

Ἕκτορος ἀμφὶ νέκυι καὶ Ἀχιλλῆϊ πτολιπόρθῳ·

κλέψαι δʼ ὀτρύνουσιν ἐΰσκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην·

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε κῦδος Ἀχιλλῆϊ προτιάπτω

110

αἰδῶ καὶ φιλότητα τεὴν μετόπισθε φυλάσσων.

αἶψα μάλʼ ἐς στρατὸν ἐλθὲ καὶ υἱέϊ σῷ ἐπίτειλον·

σκύζεσθαί οἱ εἰπὲ θεούς, ἐμὲ δʼ ἔξοχα πάντων

ἀθανάτων κεχολῶσθαι, ὅτι φρεσὶ μαινομένῃσιν

Ἕκτορʼ ἔχει παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν οὐδʼ ἀπέλυσεν,

115

αἴ κέν πως ἐμέ τε δείσῃ ἀπό θʼ Ἕκτορα λύσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Πριάμῳ μεγαλήτορι Ἶριν ἐφήσω

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντʼ ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

δῶρα δʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν, τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ.

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.) — 24.93 focus

So saying, the fair goddess took a dark-hued veil, than which was no raiment more black, 95 and set out to go, and before her wind-footed swift Iris led the way; and about them the surge of the sea parted asunder. And when they had stepped forth upon the beach they sped unto heaven; and they found the son of Cronos, whose voice is borne afar, and around him sat gathered together all the other blessed gods that are for ever. 100 Then she sate her down beside father Zeus, and Athene gave place. And Hera set in her hand a fair golden cup, and spake words of cheer.; and Thetis drank, and gave back the cup. Then among them the father of men and gods was first to speak:

Thou art come to Olympus, 0, goddess Thetis, 105 for all thy sorrow, though thou hast comfortless grief at heart; I know it of myself; yet even so will I tell thee wherefore I called thee hither. For nine days' space hath strife arisen among the immortals as touching the corpse of Hector and Achilles, sacker of cities. They are for bestirring the keen-sighted Argeiphontes to steal the body away, 110 yet herein do I accord honour unto Achilles; for I would fain keep in time to come thy worship and thy love. Haste thee with all speed to the host and declare unto thy son my bidding. Say unto him that the gods are angered with him, and that I above all immortals am filled with wrath, for that in the fury of his heart 115 he holdeth Hector at the beaked ships and gave him not back, if so be he may be seized with fear of me and give Hector back. But I will send forth Iris unto great-hearted Priam, to bid him go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom his dear son, and to bear gifts unto Achilles which shall make glad his heart.

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)) — 24.93 focus

The goddess took her dark veil, than which there can be no robe more somber, [95] and went forth with fleet Iris leading the way before her. The waves of the sea opened them a path, and when they reached the shore they flew up into the heavens, where they found the all-seeing son of Kronos of the wide brows with the blessed gods that live for ever assembled near him. Athena gave up her seat to her, [100] and she sat down by the side of father Zeus. Hera then placed a fair golden cup in her hand, and spoke to her in words of comfort, whereon Thetis drank and gave her back the cup; and the sire of gods and men was the first to speak.

“So, goddess Thetis,” said he, [105] “for all your sorrow, and the grief [ penthos] that I well know reigns ever in your heart, you have come here 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 Hector. The gods would have clear-sighted Hermes, slayer of Argos, steal the body, but in furtherance of our decency [ aidōs] and sense of being near-and-dear [ philotēs] henceforward, [110] I will concede such honor to your son as I will now tell you. Go, then, to the army and lay these commands upon him; say that the gods are angry with him, and that I am myself more angry than them all, [115] in that he keeps Hector 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]

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.93 focus

She spake, and veil'd her head in sable shade,¹

Which, flowing long, her graceful person clad;

And forth she paced majestically sad.

Then through the world of waters they repair

125

(The way fair Iris led) to upper air.

The deeps dividing, o'er the coast they rise,

And touch with momentary flight the skies.

There in the lightning's blaze the sire they found,

And all the gods in shining synod round.

130

Thetis approach'd with anguish in her face,

(Minerva rising gave the mourner place,)

E'en Juno sought her sorrows to console,

And offer'd from her hand the nectar bowl:

She tasted, and resign'd it: then began

135

The sacred sire of gods and mortal man:

‘Thou com'st, fair Thetis, but with grief o'ercast,

‘Maternal sorrows, long, ah long to last!

‘Suffice, we know, and we partake, thy cares:

‘But yield to fate, and hear what Jove declares.

140

‘Nine days are past, since all the court above

‘In Hector's cause have mov'd the ear of Jove;

‘'Twas voted, Hermes from his godlike foe

‘By stealth should bear him, but we will'd not so:

‘We will, thy son himself the corse restore,

145

‘And to his conquest add this glory more.

‘Then hie thee to him, and our mandate bear;

‘Tell him he tempts the wrath of heaven too far:

‘Nor let him more (our anger if he dread)

‘Vent his mad vengeance on the sacred dead:

150

‘But yield to ransom and the father's prayer.

‘The mournful father Iris shall prepare,

‘With gifts to sue; and offer to his hands

‘Whate'er his honour asks or heart demands.’

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.93 focus

And on her head then throws she a black hood.

Then up they went, and Iris led the way.

To let them pass the sea divided stood,

And being landed, leap'd up to the sky,

When Jove in council and the Gods were met;

Where Thetis was received lovingly,

And next himself by Jupiter was set:

There Juno nectar, Pallas gave her place.

And Jove unto her spake. Thetis, said he,

I know your grief, but such is now the case,

You could not from th' assembly spared be.

Nine days amongst ourselves we disagree

Concerning Hector's body what to do;

The most would have him stol'n by Mercury,

But for your sake I would not yield thereto.

100

But go you, Thetis, to your son, and say

The Gods are angry, and I most of all,

That Hector's body at the ships doth stay

Unransom'd, and without a funeral;

That he release it may for fear of me.

105

Meanwhile to Priam Iris shall be sent,

To bid him go t' Achilles speedily,

And with fair presents fetch it from his tent.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.93 focus

She said, and took a sable veil, a blacker never wore

A heavenly shoulder, and gave way. Swift Iris swum before.

105

About both roll'd the brackish waves. They took their banks, and flew

Up to Olympus, where they found Saturnius far-of-view

Spher'd with heaven's ever-being States. Minerva rose, and gave

Her place to Thetis near to Jove, and Juno did receive

Her entry with a cup of gold, in which she drank to her,

110

Grac'd her with comfort, and the cup to her hand did refer.

She drank, resigning it; and then the Sire of men and Gods

Thus entertain'd her: "Com'st thou up to these our blest abodes,

Fair Goddess Thetis, yet art sad; and that in so high kind

As passeth sufferance? This I know, and tried thee, and now find

115

Thy will by mine rul'd, which is rule to all worlds' government.

Besides this trial yet, this cause sent down for thy ascent,

Nine days' contention hath been held amongst th' Immortals here

For Hector's person and thy son, and some advices were

To have our good spy Mercury steal from thy son the corse,

120

But that reproach I kept far off, to keep in future force

Thy former love and reverence. Haste then, and tell thy son

The Gods are angry, and myself take that wrong he hath done

To Hector in worst part of all, the rather since he still

Detains his person. Charge him then, if he respect my will

125

For any reason, to resign slain Hector. I will send

Iris to Priam to redeem his son, and recommend

Fit ransom to Achilles' grace, in which right he may joy

And end his vain grief." To this charge bright Thetis did employ

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.93 focus

So saying, the Goddess took her sable veil,

(Eye ne'er beheld a darker,) and began

Her progress, by the storm-wing'g Iris led.

On either hand the billows open'd wide

A pass before them; they, ascending soon

125

The shore, updarted swift into the skies.

They found loud-voiced Saturnian Jove around

Environ'd by the ever blessed Gods

Convened in full assembly; she beside

Her Father Jove (Pallas retiring) sat.

130

Then, Juno, with consolatory speech,

Presented to her hand a golden cup,

Of which she drank, then gave it back again,

And thus the Sire of Gods and men began.

Goddess of ocean, Thetis! thou hast sought

135

Olympus, bearing in thy bosom grief

Never to be assuaged, as well I know.

Yet shalt thou learn, afflicted as thou art,

Why I have summon'd thee. Nine days the Gods,

Concerning Hector's body and thy own

140

Brave city-spoiler son, have held dispute,

And some have urged ofttimes the Argicide

Keen-sighted Mercury, to steal the dead.

But I forbad it for Achilles' sake,

Whom I exalt, the better to insure

145

Thy reverence and thy friendship evermore.

Haste, therefore, seek thy son, and tell him thus.

The Gods resent it, say (but most of all

Myself am angry) that he still detains

Amid his fleet, through fury of revenge,

150

Unransom'd Hector; so shall he, at length,

Through fear of me, perchance, release the slain.

Myself to generous Priam will, the while,

Send Iris, who shall bid him to the fleet

Of Greece, such ransom bearing as may soothe

155

Achilles, for redemption of his son.

New Alexandria Commentaries

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

Thetis conveys the Will of Zeus to her son. Her role here in Iliad 24 is symmetrical with her role in Iliad 1.

source

See the anchor comment at O.07.256.

source

Leonard Muellner

analysis of Thetis’ speech to Achilles for the three things (food, sex, and death) that are central to his philotēs/solidarity with his fellow humans

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Achilles’ apparent continuing of his antisocial behavior and refusal to let go after losing and mourning someone philos (comparison with situation in I.09.) vs. his immediate acquiescence to Thetis’ request (from Zeus)

source

analysis of Achilles’ decision to ransom Hektor as a reconfirmation of his solidarity with Zeus

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analysis of the language affirming the rules of reciprocal exchange in Achilles’ ransoming Hektor/receiving Priam (Zeus’ words), with particular comment on endukeōs

source

Homer Iliad 24.93

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