Homer, Iliad, Samuel Butler (Translator), 24.120

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Silver-footed Thetis did as the god had told her, and right away she darted down 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, [125] 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, [130] 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, [135] and himself more angry than them all, in that you keep Hector at the ships and will not give him up. Therefore let him go, and accept a ransom for his body.”

And Achilles of the swift feet answered, “So be it. [140] If Olympian Zeus of his own motion thus commands me, let him that brings the ransom bear the body away.”

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, [145] 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 [150] 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, [155] 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.”

Iliad. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

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.) — 24.120 focus

ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα,

120

βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀΐξασα,

ἷξεν δʼ ἐς κλισίην οὗ υἱέος· ἔνθʼ ἄρα τόν γε

εὗρʼ ἁδινὰ στενάχοντα· φίλοι δʼ ἀμφʼ αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι

ἐσσυμένως ἐπένοντο καὶ ἐντύνοντο ἄριστον·

τοῖσι δʼ ὄϊς λάσιος μέγας ἐν κλισίῃ ἱέρευτο.

125

ἣ δὲ μάλʼ ἄγχʼ αὐτοῖο καθέζετο πότνια μήτηρ,

χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

τέκνον ἐμὸν τέο μέχρις ὀδυρόμενος καὶ ἀχεύων

σὴν ἔδεαι κραδίην μεμνημένος οὔτέ τι σίτου

οὔτʼ εὐνῆς; ἀγαθὸν δὲ γυναικί περ ἐν φιλότητι

130

μίσγεσθʼ· οὐ γάρ μοι δηρὸν βέῃ, ἀλλά τοι ἤδη

ἄγχι παρέστηκεν θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιή.

ἀλλʼ ἐμέθεν ξύνες ὦκα, Διὸς δέ τοι ἄγγελός εἰμι·

σκύζεσθαι σοί φησι θεούς, ἑὲ δʼ ἔξοχα πάντων

ἀθανάτων κεχολῶσθαι, ὅτι φρεσὶ μαινομένῃσιν

135

Ἕκτορʼ ἔχεις παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν οὐδʼ ἀπέλυσας.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ λῦσον, νεκροῖο δὲ δέξαι ἄποινα.

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

τῇδʼ εἴη· ὃς ἄποινα φέροι καὶ νεκρὸν ἄγοιτο,

εἰ δὴ πρόφρονι θυμῷ Ὀλύμπιος αὐτὸς ἀνώγει.

140

ὣς οἵ γʼ ἐν νηῶν ἀγύρει μήτηρ τε καὶ υἱὸς

πολλὰ πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔπεα πτερόεντʼ ἀγόρευον.

Ἶριν δʼ ὄτρυνε Κρονίδης εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν·

βάσκʼ ἴθι Ἶρι ταχεῖα λιποῦσʼ ἕδος Οὐλύμποιο

ἄγγειλον Πριάμῳ μεγαλήτορι Ἴλιον εἴσω

145

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντʼ ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

δῶρα δʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ

οἶον, μὴ δέ τις ἄλλος ἅμα Τρώων ἴτω ἀνήρ.

κῆρύξ τίς οἱ ἕποιτο γεραίτερος, ὅς κʼ ἰθύνοι

ἡμιόνους καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐΰτροχον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὖτις

150

νεκρὸν ἄγοι προτὶ ἄστυ, τὸν ἔκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

μὴ δέ τί οἱ θάνατος μελέτω φρεσὶ μὴ δέ τι τάρβος·

τοῖον γάρ οἱ πομπὸν ὀπάσσομεν ἀργεϊφόντην,

ὃς ἄξει εἷός κεν ἄγων Ἀχιλῆϊ πελάσσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἀγάγῃσιν ἔσω κλισίην Ἀχιλῆος,

155

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς κτενέει ἀπό τʼ ἄλλους πάντας ἐρύξει·

οὔτε γάρ ἐστʼ ἄφρων οὔτʼ ἄσκοπος οὔτʼ ἀλιτήμων,

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ ἐνδυκέως ἱκέτεω πεφιδήσεται ἀνδρός.

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.) — 24.120 focus

120 So spake he, and the goddess, silver-footed Thetis, failed not to hearken, but went darting down from the peaks of Olympus, and came to the hut of her son. There she found him groaning ceaselessly, and round about him his dear comrades with busy haste were making ready their early meal, 125 and in the hut a ram, great and shaggy, lay slaughtered for them. Then she, his queenly mother, sate her down close by his side and stroked him with her hand, and spake, and called him by name:

My child, how long wilt thou devour thine heart with weeping and sorrowing, and wilt take no thought of food, 130 neither of the couch? Good were it for thee even to have dalliance in a woman's embrace. For, I tell thee, thou shalt not thyself be long in life, but even now doth death stand hard by thee and mighty fate. But hearken thou forthwith unto me, for I am a messenger unto thee from Zeus. He declareth that that the gods are angered with thee, 135 and that himself above all immortals is filled with wrath, for that in the fury of thine heart thou holdest Hector at the beaked ships, and gavest him not back. Nay come, give him up, and take ransom for the dead.

Then in answer to her spake Achilles, swift of foot:

So let it be; whoso bringeth ransom, let him bear away the dead, 140 if verily with full purpose of heart the Olympian himself so biddeth.

On this wise amid the gathering of the ships mother and son spake many winged words one to the other, but the son of Cronos sent forth Iris to sacred Ilios:

Up, go, swift Iris; leave thou the abode of Olympus 145 and bear tidings within Ilios unto great-hearted Priam that he go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom his dear son, and that he bear gifts unto Achilles which shall make glad his heart; alone let him go, neither let any man beside of the Trojans go with him. A herald may attend him, an elder man, 150 to guide the mules and the light-running waggon, and to carry back to the city the dead, even him that Achilles slew. Let not death be in his thoughts. neither any fear; such a guide will we give him, even Argeiphontes, who shall lead him, until in his leading he bring him nigh to Achilles. 155 And when he shall have led him into the hut, neither shall Achilles himself slay him 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.

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 (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.120 focus

He spake: the goddess of the silver feet,

Thetis, obeyed, and with precipitate flight

Descended from the mountain-peaks. She came

To her son's tent, and found him uttering moans

165

Continually, while his beloved friends

Were busy round him; they prepared a feast,

And had just slain within the tent a ewe

Of ample size and fleece. She took her seat

Beside her son, and smoothed his brow, and said: -

170

"How long, my son, wilt thou lament and grieve

And pine at heart, abstaining from the feast

And from thy couch? Yet well it is to seek

A woman's love. Thy life will not be spared

Long time to me, for death and cruel fate

175

Stand near thee. Listen to me; I am come

A messenger from Jove, who bids me say

The immortals are offended, and himself

The most, that thou shouldst in thy spite detain

The corse of Hector at the beaked ships,

180

Refusing its release. Comply thou then,

And take the ransom and restore the dead."

And thus Achilles, swift of foot, replied:

"Let him who brings the ransom come and take

The body, if it be the will of Jove."

185

Thus did the mother and the son confer

Among the galleys, and between them passed

Full many a wingèd word, while Saturn's son

Bade Iris go with speed to sacred Troy: -

"Fleet Iris, haste thee. Leave the Olympian seats,

190

And send magnanimous Priam to the fleet,

To ransom his dear son, and bear him back

To Ilium. Let him carry gifts to calm

The anger of Achilles. He should go

Alone, no Trojan with him, save a man

195

In years, a herald, who may guide the mules

And strong-wheeled chariot, harnessed to bear back

Him whom the great Achilles has o'erthrown;

And let him fear not death nor other harm,

For we will send a guide to lead him safe,

200

The Argus-queller, till he stand beside

Achilles; and when once he comes within

The warrior's tent, Achilles will not raise

His hand to slay, but will restrain the rest.

Nor mad, nor rash, nor criminal is he,

205

And will humanely spare a suppliant man."

He spake, and Iris, the swift messenger,

Whose feet are like the wind, went forth with speed,

And came to Priam's palace, where she found

Sorrow and wailing. Round the father sat

210

His sons within the hall, and steeped with tears

Their garments. In the midst the aged man

Sat with a cloak wrapped round him, and much dust

Strewn on his head and neck, which, when he rolled

Upon the earth, he gathered with his hands.

215

His daughters and the consorts of his sons

Filled with their cries the mansion, sorrowing

For those, the many and brave, who now lay slain

By Grecian hands. The ambassadress of Jove

Stood beside Priam, and in soft, low tones,

220

While his limbs shook with fear, addressed him thus:-

"Be comforted, and have no fear; for I

Am come, Dardanian Priam, not to bring

Mischief, but blessing. I am sent to thee

A messenger from Jove, who, though afar,

225

Pities thee and will aid thee. He who rules

Olympus bids thee ransom thy slain son,

The noble Hector, carrying gifts to calm

The anger of Achilles. Thou shouldst go

Alone, no Trojan with thee, save a man

230

In years, a herald, who shall guide the mules

And strong-wheeled chariot, harnessed to bring back

Him whom the great Achilles has o'erthrown.

And have no fear of death or other harm;

A guide shall go with thee to lead thee safe,

235

The Argus-queller, till thou stand beside

Achilles, and when once thou art within

The warrior's tent, Achilles will not raise

His hand to slay, but will restrain the rest.

He is not mad, nor rash, nor prone to crime,

240

And will humanely spare a suppliant man."

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.120 focus

His word the silver-footed queen attends,

155

And from Olympus' snowy tops descends.

Arriv'd, she heard the voice of loud lament,

And echoing groans that shook the lofty tent.

His friends prepare the victim, and dispose

Repast unheeded, while he vents his woes.

160

The goddess seats her by her pensive son;

She press'd his hand, and tender thus begun:

‘How long, unhappy! shall thy sorrows flow?

‘And thy heart waste with life-consuming woe?

‘Mindless of food, or love, whose pleasing reign

165

‘Soothes weary life, and softens human pain.

‘O snatch the moments yet within thy power;

‘Not long to live, indulge the amorous hour!¹

‘Lo! Jove himself (for Jove's command I bear,)

‘Forbids to tempt the wrath of heaven too far.

170

‘No longer then, (his fury if thou dread)

‘Detain the relics of great Hector dead;

‘Nor vent on senseless earth thy vengeance vain,

‘But yield to ransom, and restore the slain.’

To whom Achilles: ‘Be the ransom given,

175

‘And we submit, since such the will of heaven.’

While thus they commun'd, from th' Olympian bowers

Jove orders Iris to the Trojan towers:

‘Haste, winged goddess, to the sacred town,

‘And urge her monarch to redeem his son;

180

‘Alone, the Ilian ramparts let him leave,

‘And bear what stern Achilles may receive:

‘Alone, for so we will: no Trojan near;

‘Except, to place the dead with decent care,

‘Some aged herald, who, with gentle hand,

185

‘May the slow mules and funeral car command.

‘Nor let him death, nor let him danger dread,

‘Safe through the foe by our protection led:

‘Him Hermes to Achilles shall convey,

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

190

‘Fierce as he is, Achilles' self shall spare

‘His age, nor touch one venerable hair:

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

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

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.120 focus

This said, she from Olympus took her flight

T' Achilles' tent, and found him sitting there,

110

Where he, Patroclus still lamenting, sigh'd,

And with him friends providing dinner were;

And killed had a fat sheep in his tent.

Then in she went, and sat down by his side.

How long, said she, will you yourself torment ?

115

Be comforted, and for your health provide ;

And take delight in women's company,

For here you know you are not long to stay,

And that at hand is now your destiny.

And hear what I from Jove must to you say.

120

From Jupiter I come, who bade me say

The Gods are angry, and he most of all,

That Hector's body at the ships doth stay

Unransom'd, and without a funeral.

The ransom therefore take, and let him go.

125

To which Achilles a short answer gave.

Let him that will, since Jove will have it so,

The ransom bring, the body he shall have.

Whilst Thetis and her son discoursing were,

To Priam Jove swift Iris sent away.

130

Iris, said he, this message from me bear

To Priam, and relate what now I say.

Bid him unto Achilles' tent to go,

And carry with him other Trojans none

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

135

And bring away the body of his son ;

And honourable presents with him bear,

Wherewith Achilles may be well content.

And bid him death and danger not to fear,

So good a guardian with him shall be sent.

140

Hermes shall guide him to Achilles' tent,

And being there he needs not fear at all.

Achilles will'not kill him, but prevent

The hurt that might from others on him fall.

He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,

145

And pity has for them that to him pray.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.120 focus

Instant endeavour. From heaven's tops she reach'd Achilles' tent,

130

Found him still sighing, and some friends with all their complement

Soothing his humour; other some with all contention

Dressing his dinner, all their pains and skills consum'd upon

A huge wool-bearer, slaughter'd there. His reverend mother then

Come near, took kindly his fair hand, and ask'd him : "Dear son, when

135

Will sorrow leave thee? How long time wilt thou thus eat thy heart,

Fed with no other food, nor rest? 'Twere good thou wouldst divert

Thy friend's love to some lady, cheer thy spirits with such kind parts

As she can quit thy grace withal. The joy of thy deserts

I shall not long have, death is near, and thy all-conquering fate,

140

Whose haste thou must not haste with grief, but understand the state

Of things belonging to thy life, which quickly order. I

Am sent from Jove t' advertise thee that every Deity

Is angry with thee, himself most, that rage thus reigns in thee

Still to keep Hector. Quit him then, and, for fit ransom, free

145

His injur'd person." He replied: "Let him come that shall give

The ransom, and the person take. Jove's pleasure must deprive

Men of all pleasures." This good speech, and many more, the son

And mother us'd in ear of all the naval station.

And now to holy Ilion Saturnius Iris sent :

150

"Go, swift-foot Iris, bid Troy's king bear fit gifts, and content

Achilles for his son's release; but let him greet alone

The Grecian navy, not a man, excepting such a one

As may his horse and chariot guide, a herald, or one old,

Attending him, and let him take his Hector. Be he bold,

155

Discourag'd nor with death nor fear, wise Mercury shall guide

His passage till the prince be near; and, he gone, let him ride

Resolv'd even in Achilles' tent. He shall not touch the state

Of his high person, nor admit the deadliest desperate

Of all about him; for, though fierce, he is not yet unwise,

160

Nor inconsiderate, nor a man past awe of Deities,

But passing free and curious to do a suppliant grace."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.120 focus

So spake the God, nor Thetis not complied.

Descending swift from the Olympian heights

She reach'd Achilles' tent. Him there she found

Groaning disconsolate, while others ran

160

To and fro, occupied around a sheep

New-slaughter'd, large, and of exuberant fleece.

She, sitting close beside him, softly stroak'd

His cheek, and thus, affectionate, began.

How long, my son! sorrowing and mourning here,

165

Wilt thou consume thy soul, nor give one thought

Either to food or love? Yet love is good,

And woman grief's best cure; for length of days

Is not thy doom, but, even now, thy death

And ruthless destiny are on the wing.

170

Mark me, I come a lieger sent from Jove.

The Gods, he saith, resent it, but himself

More deeply than the rest, that thou detain'st

Amid thy fleet, through fury of revenge,

Unransom'd Hector. Be advised, accept

175

Ransom, and to his friends resign the dead.

To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift.

Come then the ransomer, and take him hence;

If Jove himself command it, Be it so.

So they, among the ships, conferring sat

180

On various themes, the Goddess and her son;

Meantime Saturnian Jove commanded down

His swift embassadress to sacred Troy.

Hence, rapid Iris! leave the Olympian heights,

And, finding noble Priam, bid him haste

185

Into Achaia's fleet, bearing such gifts

As may assuage Achilles, and prevail

To liberate the body of his son.

Alone, he must; no Trojan of them all

May company the senior thither, save

190

An ancient herald to direct his mules

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

Back into Ilium, whom Achilles slew.

Let neither fear of death nor other fear

Trouble him aught, so safe a guard and sure

195

We give him; Mercury shall be his guide

Into Achilles' presence in his tent.

Nor will himself Achilles slay him there,

Or even permit his death, but will forbid

All violence; for he is not unwise

200

Nor heedless, no—nor wilful to offend,

But will his suppliant with much grace receive.

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.

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The gods pity Hector and are on the verge of sending Hermes to hide the corpse of Hector, but this plan is vetoed by Hērā and Poseidon, in that order. They bear a grudge against Troy and Priam because of an atē ‘aberration’ of Paris=Alexandros. But the narrative concentrates only on Hērā, since the atē ‘aberration’ that the Master Narrator has in mind involves a direct insult to that goddess. On the story of that insult, see the comment on the verses that immediately follow.

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Homer Iliad 24.120

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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