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These words made even the commons mourn, to whom the king said :

690

" Friends, Now fetch wood for our funeral fire, nor fear the foe intends

Ambush, or any violence; Achilles gave his word,

At my dismission, that twelve days he would keep sheath'd his sword,

And all men's else." Thus oxen, mules, in chariots straight they put,

Went forth, and an unmeasur'd pile of sylvan matter cut,

695

Nine days employ'd in carriage, but when the tenth morn shin'd

On wretched mortals, then they brought the fit-to-be-divin'd

Forth to be burn'm'd. Troy swum in tears. Upon the pile's most height

They laid the person, and gave fire. All day it burn'm'd, all night.

But when th' eleventh morn let on earth her rosy fingers shine,

700

The people flock'd about the pile, and first with blackish wine

Quench'd all the flames. His brothers then, and friends, the snowy bones

Gather'd into an urn of gold, still pouring on their moans.

Then wrapt they in soft purple veils the rich urn, digg'g'd a pit,

Grav'd it, ramm'm'd up the grave with stones, and quickly built to it

705

A sepulchre. But, while that work and all the funeral rites

Were in performance, guards were held at all parts, days and nights,

For fear of false surprise before they had impos'm'd the crown

To these solemnities. The tomb advanc'm'd once, all the town

In Jove-nurs'm'd Priam's Court partook a passing sumptuous feast.

710

And so horse-taming Hector's rites gave up his soul to rest.

Iliad. Homer. ed. George Chapman. London. 1887.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) (English) (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857))

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.) — 24.776 focus

ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσʼ, ἐπὶ δʼ ἔστενε δῆμος ἀπείρων.

λαοῖσιν δʼ ὃ γέρων Πρίαμος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπεν·

ἄξετε νῦν Τρῶες ξύλα ἄστυ δέ, μὴ δέ τι θυμῷ

δείσητʼ Ἀργείων πυκινὸν λόχον· ἦ γὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

πέμπων μʼ ὧδʼ ἐπέτελλε μελαινάων ἀπὸ νηῶν

780

μὴ πρὶν πημανέειν πρὶν δωδεκάτη μόλῃ ἠώς.

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ὑπʼ ἀμάξῃσιν βόας ἡμιόνους τε

ζεύγνυσαν, αἶψα δʼ ἔπειτα πρὸ ἄστεος ἠγερέθοντο.

ἐννῆμαρ μὲν τοί γε ἀγίνεον ἄσπετον ὕλην·

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ δεκάτη ἐφάνη φαεσίμβροτος ἠώς,

785

καὶ τότʼ ἄρʼ ἐξέφερον θρασὺν Ἕκτορα δάκρυ χέοντες,

ἐν δὲ πυρῇ ὑπάτῃ νεκρὸν θέσαν, ἐν δʼ ἔβαλον πῦρ.

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

τῆμος ἄρʼ ἀμφὶ πυρὴν κλυτοῦ Ἕκτορος ἔγρετο λαός.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τʼ ἐγένοντο

790

πρῶτον μὲν κατὰ πυρκαϊὴν σβέσαν αἴθοπι οἴνῳ

πᾶσαν, ὁπόσσον ἐπέσχε πυρὸς μένος· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

ὀστέα λευκὰ λέγοντο κασίγνητοί θʼ ἕταροί τε

μυρόμενοι, θαλερὸν δὲ κατείβετο δάκρυ παρειῶν.

καὶ τά γε χρυσείην ἐς λάρνακα θῆκαν ἑλόντες

795

πορφυρέοις πέπλοισι καλύψαντες μαλακοῖσιν.

αἶψα δʼ ἄρʼ ἐς κοίλην κάπετον θέσαν, αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε

πυκνοῖσιν λάεσσι κατεστόρεσαν μεγάλοισι·

ῥίμφα δὲ σῆμʼ ἔχεαν, περὶ δὲ σκοποὶ ἥατο πάντῃ,

μὴ πρὶν ἐφορμηθεῖεν ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί.

800

χεύαντες δὲ τὸ σῆμα πάλιν κίον· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

εὖ συναγειρόμενοι δαίνυντʼ ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα

δώμασιν ἐν Πριάμοιο διοτρεφέος βασιλῆος.

ὣς οἵ γʼ ἀμφίεπον τάφον Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο.

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.) — 24.776 focus

So spake she wailing, and thereat the countless throng made moan. But the old man Priam spake among the folk, saying:

Bring wood now, ye men of Troy, unto the city, neither have ye anywise fear at heart of a cunning ambush of the Argives; for verily Achilles laid upon me this word 780 when he sent me forth from the black ships, that he would do us no hurt until the twelfth dawn be come.

So spake he, and they yoked oxen and mules to waggons, and speedily thereafter gathered together before the city. For nine days' space they brought in measureless store of wood, 785 but when the tenth Dawn arose, giving light unto mortals, then bare they forth bold Hector, shedding tears the while, and on the topmost pyre they laid the dead man, and cast fire thereon. But soon as early Dawn appeared, the rosy-fingered, then gathered the folk about the pyre of glorious Hector. 790 And when they were assembled and met together, first they quenched with flaming wine all the pyre, so far as the fire's might had come upon it, and thereafter his brethren and his comrades gathered the white bones, mourning, and big tears flowed ever down their cheeks. 795 The bones they took and placed in a golden urn, covering them over with soft purple robes, and quickly laid the urn in a hollow grave, and covered it over with great close-set stones. Then with speed heaped they the mound, and round about were watchers set on every side, 800 lest the well-greaved Achaeans should set upon them before the time. And when they had piled the barrow they went back, and gathering together duly feasted a glorious feast in the palace of Priam, the king fostered of Zeus. On this wise held they funeral for horse-taming Hector.

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.) — 24.782 focus

782 Forthwith they yoked their oxen and mules and gathered together before the city. Nine days long did they bring in great heaps wood, and on the morning of the tenth day with many tears they took brave Hektor forth, laid his dead body upon the summit of the pile, and set the fire thereto. Then when the child of morning rosy-fingered dawn appeared on the eleventh day, the people again assembled, round the pyre of mighty Hektor. When they were got together, they first quenched the fire with wine wherever it was burning, and then his brothers and comrades with many a bitter tear gathered his white bones, wrapped them in soft robes of purple, and laid them in a golden urn, which they placed in a grave [ sêma] and covered over with large stones set close together. Then they built a tomb [ sêma] hurriedly over it keeping guard on every side lest the Achaeans should attack them before they had finished. When they had heaped up the barrow they went back again into the city, and being well assembled they held high feast in the house of Priam their king.

804 Thus, then, did they celebrate the funeral of Hektor tamer of horses.

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 24.776 focus

She wept as she spoke and the vast local populace [ dēmos] 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, [780] 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.”

Right then and there they yoked their oxen and mules and gathered together before the city. Nine days long did they bring in great heaps of wood, [785] and on the morning of the tenth day with many tears they took brave Hector forth, laid his dead body upon the summit of the pile, and set it on fire. Then when the child of morning rosy-fingered dawn appeared on the eleventh day, the people again assembled, round the pyre of illustrious Hector. [790] When they were got together, they first quenched the fire with wine wherever it was burning, and then his brothers and comrades with many a bitter tear gathered his white bones, [795] and laid them in a golden urn— 796 covering his body with purple robes— which they placed in a grave [ sēma] and covered over with large stones set close together. Then they built a tomb [ sēma] hurriedly over it keeping guard on every side [800] lest the strong-greaved Achaeans should attack them before they had finished. When they had heaped up the barrow they went back again into the city, and being well assembled they held high feast in the house of Priam, their king.

Thus, then, did they celebrate the funeral of Hector, tamer of horses.

Footnotes

¹²³⁴

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.776 focus

Weeping she spake: the mighty throng again

Answered with wailing. Priam then addressed

The people: "Now bring wood, ye men of Troy,

990

Into the city. Let there be no fear

Of ambush from the Greeks, for when of late

I left Achilles at the dark-hulled barks,

He gave his promise to molest no more

The men of Troy till the twelfth morn shall rise."

995

He spake, and speedily they yoked the mules

And oxen to the wains, and came in throngs

Before the city walls. Nine days they toiled

To bring the trunks of trees, and when the tenth

Arose to light the abodes of men, they brought

1000

The corse of valiant Hector from the town

With many tears, and laid it on the wood

High up, and flung the fire to light the pile.

Now when the early rosy-fingered Dawn

Looked forth, the people gathered round the pile

1005

Of glorious Hector. When they all had come

Together, first they quenched the funeral fires,

Wherever they had spread, with dark-red wine,

And then his brothers and companions searched

For the white bones. In sorrow and in tears,

1010

That streaming stained their cheeks, they gathered them,

And placed them in a golden urn. O'er this

They drew a covering of soft purple robes,

And laid it in a hollow grave, and piled

Fragments of rock above it, many and huge.

1015

In haste they reared the tomb, with sentries set

On every side, lest all too soon the Greeks

Should come in armor to renew the war.

When now the tomb was built, the multitude

Returned, and in the halls where Priam dwelt,

1020

Nursling of Jove, were feasted royally.

Such was the mighty Hector's burial rite.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.776 focus

But Priam check'd the torrent as it rose:

‘Perform, ye Trojans! what the rites require,

985

‘And fell the forests for a funeral pyre!

‘Twelve days nor foes nor secret ambush dread;

‘Achilles grants these honours to the dead.’

He spoke; and at his word the Trojan train

Their mules and oxen harness to the wain,

990

Pour through the gates, and, fell'd from Ida's crown,

Roll back the gather'd forests to the town.

These toils continue nine succeeding days,

And high in air a sylvan structure raise.

But when the tenth fair morn began to shine,

995

Forth to the pile was borne the man divine,

And plac'd aloft: while all, with streaming eyes,

Beheld the flames and rolling smokes arise.

Soon as Aurora, daughter of the dawn,

With rosy lustre streak'd the dewy lawn,

1000

Again the mournful crowds surround the pyre,

And quench with wine the yet-remaining fire.

The snowy bones his friends and brothers place

(With tears collected) in a golden vase;

The golden vase in purple palls they roll'd,

1005

Of softest texture, and inwrought with gold.

Last, o'er the urn the sacred earth they spread,

And rais'd the tomb, memorial of the dead.

(Strong guards and spies, till all the rites were done,

Watch'd from the rising to the setting sun.)

1010

All Troy then moves to Priam's court again,

A solemn, silent, melancholy train:

Assembled there, from pious toil they rest,

And sadly shar'd the last sepulchral feast.

Such honours Ilion to her hero paid,

1015

And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade.

WE have now passed through the Iliad, and seen the anger of Achilles, and the terrible effects of it, at an end: as that only was the subject of the poem, and the nature of Epic poetry would not permit our author to proceed to the event of the war, it may perhaps be acceptable to the common reader to give a short account of what happened to Troy and the chief actors in this poem, after the conclusion of it.

I need not mention that Troy was taken soon after the death of Hector, by the stratagem of the wooden horse, the particulars of which are described by Virgil in the second book of the Æneis.

Achilles fell before Troy, by the hand of Paris, by the shot of an arrow in his heel, as Hector had prophesied at his death, book xxii.

The unfortunate Priam was killed by Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles.

Ajax, after the death of Achilles, had a contest with Ulysses for the armour of Vulcan, but being defeated in his aim, he slew himself through indignation.

Helen, after the death of Paris, married Deïphobus his brother, and at the taking of Troy betrayed him, in order to reconcile herself to Menelaus, her first husband, who received her again into favour.

Agamemnon at his return was barbarously murdered by Ægisthus, at the instigation of Clytæmnestra, his wife, who in his absence had dishonoured his bed with Ægisthus.

Diomed, after the fall of Troy, was expelled his own country, and scarce escaped with life from his adulterous wife Ægiale; but at last was received by Daunus in Apulia, and shared his kingdom; it is uncertain how he died.

Nestor lived in peace, with his children, in Pylos, his native country.

Ulysses also, after innumerable troubles by sea and land, at last returned in safety to Ithaca, which is the subject of Homer's Odyssey.

I must end these notes by discharging my duty to two of my friends, which is the more an indispensable piece of justice, as the one of them is since dead. The merit of their kindness to me will appear infinitely the greater, as the task they undertook was, in its own nature, of much more labour, than either pleasure or reputation. The larger part of the extracts from Eustathius, together with several excellent observations, were sent me by Mr Broome: and the whole Essay upon Homer was written, upon such memoirs as I had collected, by the late Dr. Parnell, Archdeacon of Clogher in Ireland. How very much that gentleman's friendship prevailed over his genius, in detaining a writer of his spirit in the drudgery of removing the rubbish of past pedants, will soon appear to the world, when they shall see those beautiful pieces of poetry, the publication of which he left to my charge, almost with his dying breath.

For what remains, I beg to be excused from the ceremonies of taking leave at the end of my work; and from embarrassing myself, or others, with any defences or apologies about it. But instead of endeavouring to raise a vain monument to myself, of the merits or difficulties of it (which must be left to the world, to truth, and to posterity), let me leave behind me a memorial of my friendship with one of the most valuable men, as well as finest writers, of my age and country; one who has tried, and knows by his own experience, how hard an undertaking it is to do justice to Homer; and one who (I am sure) sincerely rejoices with me at the period of my labours. To him, therefore, having brought this long work to a conclusion, I desire to dedicate it; and to have the honour and satisfaction of placing together, in this manner, the names of Mr. CONGREVE, and of

A. POPE.

March 25, 1720.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.776 focus

This, said with tears, provok'd the people's pity;

But Priam then unto them spake, and said :

Go Trojans now and fetch wood to the city ;

You need not of the Argives be afraid.

Achilles, when I parted from his tent,

745

Eleven days allowed my son t' inter

And fetch down wood without impediment ;

So long the Arrives should from fight forbear.

This said, to th'hills with oxen, and with wains,

And mules they went, and busy were about

750

This work nine days together and took pains.

Upon the tenth the body was brought out,

And on the top of the great wood-pile laid,

And fire put to't; and all day long it burned,

And all the night. When morning was displayed,

755

Again the Trojans to the pile returned,

And th'embers with black wine extinguished.

His bones then by his brothers and his kin,

Were from the ground together gathered,

And by them to an urn of gold laid in.

760

The urn, with purple robes then covered over,

Into a grave, which soon was made, they laid.

The grave with many and great stones they cover.

And last of all, because they were afraid,

Before their work were done the Greeks would come,

765

They sent out scouts on ev'ry side to spy.

And o'er his grave, in haste, they raise a tomb.

This done, away they went, and by-and-bye

To Priam's house they came again, and there

He made a splendid supper for them all.

770

Then home they went, well pleased with their cheer.

Thus ended noble Hector's funeral.

END OF THE ILIAD.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.776 focus

So Helen spake weeping, to whom with groans

The countless multitude replied, and thus

Their ancient Sovereign next his people charged.

Ye Trojans, now bring fuel home, nor fear

980

Close ambush of the Greeks; Achilles' self

Gave me, at my dismission from his fleet,

Assurance, that from hostile force secure

We shall remain, till the twelfth dawn arise.

All, then, their mules and oxen to the wains

985

Join'd speedily, and under Ilium's walls

Assembled numerous; nine whole days they toil'd,

Bringing much fuel home, and when the tenth

Bright morn, with light for human kind, arose,

Then bearing noble Hector forth, with tears

990

Shed copious, on the summit of the pile

They placed him, and the fuel fired beneath.

But when Aurora, daughter of the Dawn,

Redden'd the East, then, thronging forth, all Troy

Encompass'd noble Hector's pile around.

995

The whole vast multitude convened, with wine

They quench'd the pile throughout, leaving no part

Unvisited, on which the fire had seized.

His brothers, next, collected, and his friends,

His white bones, mourning, and with tears profuse

1000

Watering their cheeks; then in a golden urn

They placed them, which with mantles soft they veil'd

Mæonian-hued, and, delving, buried it,

And overspread with stones the spot adust.

Lastly, short time allowing to the task,

1005

They heap'd his tomb, while, posted on all sides,

Suspicious of assault, spies watch'd the Greeks.

The tomb once heap'd, assembling all again

Within the palace, they a banquet shared

Magnificent, by godlike Priam given.

1010

Such burial the illustrious Hector found.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

brief analysis of the importance of ‘returning’ in this scene

source

cited as evidence for the well recognized notion that Priam’s ransom of Hector in Iliad XXIV is represented as a journey to the underworld and a consequent “return to life”

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reference to same lines in similar thematic connection in Il. XXIV.328

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reference to location and time (sunset) of Herme’s meeting with Priam, the tomb if Ilus. Indication of Priam’s ransom of Hector as a to the underworld and consequent ‘return to life’ [MRBTP: 'ff']

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quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

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quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

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quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

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quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

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brief analysis of the importance of ‘returning’ in this scene, as indicated by Athena’s words to Diomedes, nóstou dḕmnēsat

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analysis of Solon’s familiarity with the Homeric epics and their correspondence in language and theme with Solon fr. 4 West

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reference to the connection between the captured horses of Diomedes and Odysseus and the ‘the rays of the sun’

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reference to time (sunrise) of Priam’s return from the ransom of Hector. Indication of a journey to the underworld and consequent ‘return to life’ [MRBTP: 'ff']

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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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In speaking to Priam, the god Hermes disguises himself as a therapōn of Achilles. It is as if he were the spirit of the dead Patroklos, the other self of Achilles himself.

source

See again the comment on I.24.393.

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See the anchor comment at O.07.256.

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Here it is Alkimos who is called ozos Arēos ‘attendant of Ares’. See the anchor comment at I.12.188.

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While Priam mourns for his own son Hector, Achilles alternates in mourning for his own father Priam and for Patroklos as his own other self. By mourning for both his father and for Patroklos, Achilles shows the way—showing how to mourn for ancestors. Do as I do. Relevant is what the “speaking name” (nomen loquens) of Patroklos means: ‘he who has the glory [kleos] of the ancestors [pateres]’. See the comments on I.01.345, I.06.209, I.09.185–191. Such a meaning signals the basic fact that one’s father is one’s most immediate ancestor. The kleos ‘glory’ of Achilles is thus linked, for all time to come, with a poetic glory that originates from the ancestors.

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verses matching these quoted in the Derveni Papyrus and considered by the commentator as Orphic (Obbink 1997:41n4)

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The two heroes Automedon and Alkimos are both marked as therapontes of Achilles, I.24.573, by virtue of this detail: Achilles honored the two of them more than anyone else after the death of Patroklos, I.24.574–575 (tīein ‘honor’ at I.24.575). Here they are acting as the attendants of Achilles, I.24.576–580.

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analysis of petrified characters, here in Niobe’s story, and Aristarchus’ analysis of 611 in the passage as Homeric but 614-617 as non-Homeric

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analysis and comparison of the different traditions about the children of Niobe, here the Iliadic one according to which they all were killed (contra an Argive one, according to which two were saved by Leto), in the context of analyzing Pausanias

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analysis of locating the realm of Tantalos in Pausanias and comparison with the Iliad

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reference to the fact that númphē can mean not only “goddess,” as here, but also “bride.” See Il. XVIII.492

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analysis of EPEISE read as epei sé (non-enclitic) as opposed to epei se (enclitic), according to Herodian

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The funeral of Hector may now begin. A funeral procession takes Hector to his bier, where the laments can begin.

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The word penthos ‘grief’ here at I.24.708 refers to the context for performing laments, I.24.720–776, on the occasion of Hector’s funeral. The word recurs in the actual words of the lament sung by Andromache at Ι.24.741, where she says that Hector, by dying, has caused penthos ‘grief’ and góos ‘lament’ for his parents.

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Leonard Muellner

in a list of passages with eukhesthai + infinitive (aorist)

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analysis of the attestations of eukhesthai + aorist infinitive (and the series to which this verse belongs)

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analysis of the traditionality of the collocation of eukhesthai and spendein

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analysis of the ambiguity in the meaning of eukhesthai in this verse (‘make a wish,’ ‘pledge, promise,’ ‘boast’), discussion of Benveniste’s analysis of the collocations of spendein and eukhesthai

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analysis of the versatility of poetic technique to report prayers (invocation, grant of favor, request of favor)

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analysis of the section I of the classification of the attestations of eukhesthai + dative (consistent inflection but apparently irregular metrical position of eukhesthai)

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in a list of examples of eukhesthai + dative (sacral)

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analysis of the development of the meaning of Latin spendō, in the context of analyzing the development of uoueō/eukhesthai

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example of a transformation of the themes in a prayer, in the context of the analysis of composition by theme in prayers, which can be amplified or minimized according to circumstances

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comment on eukhomenos and epos being traditionally and syntactically bound together, despite the separate existence of epos ēuda# as in this verse

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example of a transformation of the themes in a prayer, in the context of the analysis of composition by theme in prayers, which can be amplified or minimized according to circumstances

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comment on overlap between Hermes and Athena (here, Athena’s wearing Hermes’ sandals), in the context of analyzing her reminding of Hermes in O.13.221ff.

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comparison of Greek formulas for asking a person’s identity with Avestan and Indic parallels, as well as genos eukhesthai einai formulas

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comparison of Greek formulas for asking a person’s identity with Avestan and Indic parallels, as well as genos eukhesthai einai formulas

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analysis of the emotional claim Priam makes on Achilles as effective in turning each of them toward his own pain

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analysis of the emotional claim Priam makes on Achilles as effective in turning each of them toward his own pain

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comment on Priam’s exceptional behavior in kissing the hands of Achilles

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analysis of the emotional claim Priam makes on Achilles as effective in turning each of them toward his own pain

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analysis of Achilles’ extension of the notion of philotēs and seeing their encounter through Priam’s eyes

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analysis of Achilles’ extension of the notion of philotēs and seeing their encounter through Priam’s eyes

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analysis of the delicacy of the situation and the exchange between Achilles and Priam nearly not succeeding

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analysis of the exchange between Achilles and Priam nearly not succeeding and the difference in the perspectives of Achilles and Priam

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analysis of the delicacy of the situation and the exchange between Achilles and Priam nearly not succeeding

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analysis of the delicacy of the situation and the exchange between Achilles and Priam nearly not succeeding

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analysis of the teleology of Achilles’ mēnis and enacting his humanness in Achilles’ partaking of food (here), sleeping with a woman, and sharing in kēdea (Hektor’s funeral)

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the difficulty of exchange in I.24 (in contrast to that proposed by Chryses in I.01) and need for the divine intervention of Hermes, here especially to avoid being noticed by Agamemnon

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analysis of the teleology of Achilles’ mēnis and enacting his humanness in Achilles’ partaking of food, sleeping with a woman (here), and sharing in kēdea (Hektor’s funeral)

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the difficulty of exchange in I.24 (in contrast to that proposed by Chryses in I.01) and need for the divine intervention of Hermes, here especially to avoid being noticed by Agamemnon

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Richard Martin

Achilles' words to Priam as the poem ends (24.518-51) are a mixture of reproach, pity, and encouragement: Priam is a "wretch" and foolish, with an "iron heart," to have dared approach the Achaean camp alone. Achilles directs him gently, however, to sit, mourn, and ultimately endure (line 549, anskheo forming a ring-composition with line 518, anskheo). These words are introduced as winged words. The triumph of this conclusion is tonal: enemies can exchange winged words without a killing (Martin 1993:34).

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Memory plays the pivotal role in the final scene of the poem, as Achilles recalls Peleus on seeing Priam, and joins the old man in weeping (24.518-51). The jars of Zeus and Niobe's grief arise in his recollection as transparent myths, nor do we feel (as with Diomedes) that these are stories meant to sway Priam. Memory bonds them, rather—except in one disturbing moment. Priam, hurrying Achilles to bring the corpse of Hektor, mentions the many gifts brought as ransom. If any piece of evidence is needed to confirm that Achilles had heard Agamemnon's offer in Book 9, it is here. For the words of Priam spark a dangerous shift in Achilles' mood precisely because Agamemnon had made the same mistake, as if mere goods could persuade Achilles. Achilles responds in language ironically echoing Agamemnon's original refusal to honor another old man's request (compare 24.560 and 1.32, mēketi m'erethize / mē m'erethize). Unlike Agamemnon, he relents. But this final touch of characterization by discourse style tells an audience that Achilles has full mastery of the genre of recollections, whether of injury or grief (Martin 1993:144-45).

For the broader analysis of Achilles' strategy of rebuking by recollection, see the comment on Iliad 9.646-647.

References

Martin, R. P. 1993. The Language of Heroes: Speech and Performance in the Iliad. Ithaca.

source

Homer Iliad 24.776

ed. George Chapman

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