Iliad, 24.468

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This said, t' Olympus Hermes went his way.

Then to the ground leapt Priam from his car,

And going in he bad Idaeus stay,

And of the mules and horses have a care.

Achilles at his supper now was set,

445

And waiting on him stood Automedon

And Alimus, the table standing yet;

But supp'd he had, and appetite had none.

His other friends at distance from him sat,

And Priam to them then came in unseen,

450

And kiss'd the hands there of Achilles, that

Of many of his sons the death had been.

As when a man that kill'd another has,

And to another prince for safety flies,

Men at him stare; so he amazed was

455

When he saw Priam stand before his eyes.

The rest admir'd the comely man to see,

And both on him and one another look:

But Priam then upon Achilles' knee

Laid both his hands, and thus unto him spoke:

460

Godlike Achilles, take into your thought

Your father, that an old man is as I,

And into trouble by his neighbours brought,

And has no friend on whom he may rely.

Yet he has many intervals of joy,

465

And thinking on his son, is comforted

With hope to see him hack return from Troy.

Undone am I; for all my hopes are fled.

When tli' army of th' Achaeans landed here,

I by the Gods with fifty sons was bless'd,

470

Whereof sixteen my wife did to me bear,

And other women in my house the rest.

But in this war the most of them are lost.

And now by Mars reduced are to few.

And Hector, which of all I loved most,

475

Is lately, O Achilles, slain by you.

His body to redeem I hither come,

With precious gifts, and fall before your knee,

That I may bury it in Ilium.

Upon your father think, and pity me.

480

Yet is my case more pitiful than his.

For what calamity can greater be

Than th' hands that have my children kill'd to kiss ?

Iliad. . Germany. 2014.

Current edition Experimental

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843))

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.) — 24.468 focus

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον

Ἑρμείας· Πρίαμος δʼ ἐξ ἵππων ἆλτο χαμᾶζε,

Ἰδαῖον δὲ κατʼ αὖθι λίπεν· ὃ δὲ μίμνεν ἐρύκων

470

ἵππους ἡμιόνους τε· γέρων δʼ ἰθὺς κίεν οἴκου,

τῇ ῥʼ Ἀχιλεὺς ἵζεσκε Διῒ φίλος· ἐν δέ μιν αὐτὸν

εὗρʼ, ἕταροι δʼ ἀπάνευθε καθήατο· τὼ δὲ δύʼ οἴω

ἥρως Αὐτομέδων τε καὶ Ἄλκιμος ὄζος Ἄρηος

ποίπνυον παρεόντε· νέον δʼ ἀπέληγεν ἐδωδῆς

475

ἔσθων καὶ πίνων· ἔτι καὶ παρέκειτο τράπεζα.

τοὺς δʼ ἔλαθʼ εἰσελθὼν Πρίαμος μέγας, ἄγχι δʼ ἄρα στὰς

χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος λάβε γούνατα καὶ κύσε χεῖρας

δεινὰς ἀνδροφόνους, αἵ οἱ πολέας κτάνον υἷας.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἄνδρʼ ἄτη πυκινὴ λάβῃ, ὅς τʼ ἐνὶ πάτρῃ

480

φῶτα κατακτείνας ἄλλων ἐξίκετο δῆμον

ἀνδρὸς ἐς ἀφνειοῦ, θάμβος δʼ ἔχει εἰσορόωντας,

ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς θάμβησεν ἰδὼν Πρίαμον θεοειδέα·

θάμβησαν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι, ἐς ἀλλήλους δὲ ἴδοντο.

τὸν καὶ λισσόμενος Πρίαμος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·

485

μνῆσαι πατρὸς σοῖο θεοῖς ἐπιείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ,

τηλίκου ὥς περ ἐγών, ὀλοῷ ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ·

καὶ μέν που κεῖνον περιναιέται ἀμφὶς ἐόντες

τείρουσʼ, οὐδέ τίς ἐστιν ἀρὴν καὶ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.

ἀλλʼ ἤτοι κεῖνός γε σέθεν ζώοντος ἀκούων

490

χαίρει τʼ ἐν θυμῷ, ἐπί τʼ ἔλπεται ἤματα πάντα

ὄψεσθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἀπὸ Τροίηθεν ἰόντα·

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ πανάποτμος, ἐπεὶ τέκον υἷας ἀρίστους

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ, τῶν δʼ οὔ τινά φημι λελεῖφθαι.

πεντήκοντά μοι ἦσαν ὅτʼ ἤλυθον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν·

495

ἐννεακαίδεκα μέν μοι ἰῆς ἐκ νηδύος ἦσαν,

τοὺς δʼ ἄλλους μοι ἔτικτον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκες.

τῶν μὲν πολλῶν θοῦρος Ἄρης ὑπὸ γούνατʼ ἔλυσεν·

ὃς δέ μοι οἶος ἔην, εἴρυτο δὲ ἄστυ καὶ αὐτούς,

τὸν σὺ πρῴην κτεῖνας ἀμυνόμενον περὶ πάτρης

500

Ἕκτορα· τοῦ νῦν εἵνεχʼ ἱκάνω νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

λυσόμενος παρὰ σεῖο, φέρω δʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα.

ἀλλʼ αἰδεῖο θεοὺς Ἀχιλεῦ, αὐτόν τʼ ἐλέησον

μνησάμενος σοῦ πατρός· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐλεεινότερός περ,

ἔτλην δʼ οἷʼ οὔ πώ τις ἐπιχθόνιος βροτὸς ἄλλος,

505

ἀνδρὸς παιδοφόνοιο ποτὶ στόμα χεῖρʼ ὀρέγεσθαι.

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.) — 24.468 focus

So spake Hermes, and departed unto high Olympus; and Priam leapt from his chariot to the ground, 470 and left there Idaeus, who abode holding the horses and mules; but the old man went straight toward the house where Achilles, dear to Zeus, was wont to sit. Therein he found Achilles, but his comrades sat apart: two only, the warrior Automedon and Alcimus, scion of Ares, 475 waited busily upon him; and he was newly ceased from meat, even from eating and drinking, and the table yet stood by his side. Unseen of these great Priam entered in, and coming close to Achilles, clasped in his hands his knees, and kissed his hands, the terrible, man-slaying hands that had slain his many sons. 480 And as when sore blindness of heart cometh upon a man, that in his own country slayeth another and escapeth to a land of strangers, to the house of some man of substance, and wonder holdeth them that look upon him; even so was Achilles seized with wonder at sight of godlike Priam, and seized with wonder were the others likewise, and they glanced one at the other. 485 But Priam made entreaty, and spake to him, saying:

Remember thy father, O Achilles like to the gods, whose years are even as mine, on the grievous threshold of old age. Him full likely the dwellers that be round about are entreating evilly, neither is there any to ward from him ruin and bane. 490 Howbeit, while he heareth of thee as yet alive he hath joy at heart, and therewithal hopeth day by day that he shall see his dear son returning from Troy-land. But I—I am utterly unblest, seeing I begat sons the best in the broad land of Troy, yet of them I avow that not one is left. 495 Fifty I had, when the sons of the Achaeans came; nineteen were born to me of the self-same womb, and the others women of the palace bare. Of these, many as they were, furious Ares hath loosed the knees, and he that alone was left me, that by himself guarded the city and the men, 500 him thou slewest but now as he fought for his country, even Hector. For his sake am I now come to the ships of the Achaeans to win him back from thee, and I bear with me ransom past counting. Nay, have thou awe of the gods, Achilles, and take pity on me, remembering thine own father. Lo, I am more piteous far than he, 505 and have endured what no other mortal on the face of earth hath yet endured, to reach forth my hand to the face of him that hath slain my sons.

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.) — 24.468 focus

468 With these words Hermes went back to high Olympus . Priam sprang from his chariot to the ground, leaving Idaios where he was, in charge of the mules and horses. The old man went straight into the house where Achilles, loved of the gods, was sitting. There he found him with his men seated at a distance from him: only two, the hero Automedon, and Alkimos of the race of Ares, were busy in attendance about his person, for he had but just done eating and drinking,

475 and the table was still there. King Priam entered without their seeing him, and going right up to Achilles he clasped his knees and kissed the dread murderous hands that had slain so many of his sons.

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

507 Thus spoke Priam, and the heart of Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his father. He took the old man's hand and moved him gently away. The two wept bitterly - Priam, as he lay at Achilles' feet, weeping for Hektor, and Achilles now for his father and now for Patroklos, till the house was filled with their lamentation. But when Achilles was now sated with grief

513 and had unburdened the bitterness of his sorrow, he left his seat and raised the old man by the hand, in pity for his white hair and beard; then he said, "Unhappy man, you have indeed been greatly daring; how could you venture to come alone to the ships of the Achaeans, and enter the presence of him who has slain so many of your brave sons? You must have iron courage: sit now upon this seat, and for all our grief we will hide our sorrows in our hearts, for weeping will not avail us. The immortals know no care, yet the lot they spin for man is full of sorrow; on the floor of Zeus' palace there stand two urns, the one filled with evil gifts, and the other with good ones. He for whom Zeus the lord of thunder mixes the gifts he sends, will meet now with good and now with evil fortune; but he to whom Zeus sends none but evil gifts will be pointed at by the finger of scorn, the hand of famine will pursue him to the ends of the world, and he will go up and down the face of the earth, respected neither by gods nor men. Even so did it befall Peleus; the gods endowed him with all good things from his birth upwards, for he reigned over the Myrmidons excelling all men in prosperity [olbos] and wealth, and mortal though he was they gave him a goddess for his bride. But even on him too did heaven send misfortune, for there is no race of royal children born to him in his house, save one son who is doomed to die all untimely; nor may I take care of him now that he is growing old, for I must stay here at Troy to be the bane of you and your children. And you too, O Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime happy [ olbios]. They say that in wealth and plenitude of offspring you surpassed all that is in Lesbos , the realm of Makar to the northward, Phrygia that is more inland, and those that dwell upon the great Hellespont ; but from the day when the dwellers in heaven sent this evil upon you, war and slaughter have been about your city continually.

549 Bear up against it, and let there be some intervals in your sorrow. Mourn as you may for your brave son, you will take nothing by it. You cannot raise him from the dead, ere you do so yet another sorrow shall befall you."

552 And Priam answered, "O king, bid me not be seated, while Hektor is still lying uncared for in your tents, but accept the great ransom which I have brought you, and give him to me at once that I may look upon him. May you prosper with the ransom and reach your own land in safety, seeing that you have suffered me to live and to look upon the light of the sun."

559 Achilles looked at him sternly and said, "Vex me, sir, no longer; I am of myself minded to give up the body of Hektor. My mother, daughter of the old man of the sea, came to me from Zeus to bid me deliver it to you. Moreover I know well, O Priam, and you cannot hide it, that some god has brought you to the ships of the Achaeans, for else, no man however strong and in his prime would dare to come to our host; he could neither pass our guard unseen, nor draw the bolt of my gates thus easily; therefore, provoke me no further, lest I err against the word of Zeus, and suffer you not, suppliant though you are, within my tents."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 24.468 focus

With these words Hermes went back to high Olympus.

Priam sprang from his chariot to the ground, [470] leaving Idaios where he was, in charge of the mules and horses. The old man went straight into the house where Achilles, loved of the gods, was sitting. There he found him with his men seated at a distance from him: only two, the hero Automedon, and Alkimos of the race of Arēs, were busy in attendance about his person, for he had but just done eating and drinking, [475] and the table was still there. Tall King Priam entered without their seeing him, and going right up to Achilles he clasped his knees and kissed the dread manslaughtering hands that had slain so many of his sons.

[480] As when some cruel derangement [ atē] has befallen a man that he should have killed some one in his own country, and must flee to a great man’s protection in a land [ dēmos] of strangers, and all marvel who see him, even so did Achilles marvel as he beheld godlike Priam. The others looked one to another and marveled also, [485] but Priam besought Achilles saying, 486 “Remember your father, O Achilles, you who look just like the gods. 487 He [= Peleus, the father of Achilles] is just like me, on the destructive threshold of old age. 488 It may be that those who dwell near him 489 are wearing him down, and there is no one to keep damage and devastation away from him. [490] Yet when he hears of you being still alive, 491 he takes pleasure in his heart [ thūmos], and every day he is full of hope 492that he will see his dear [ philos] son come home to him from Troy; 493 but I am the most luckless of all men, since I fathered the best sons 494 in the city of Troy, which has power far and wide, and I can now say that there is not one of them left. [495] I had fifty sons when the sons of the Achaeans came here; 496 nineteen of them were from a single womb, 497 and the others were born to me by the women of my halls. 498 Many of them have been hamstrung by swift Arēs, 499 but he who was the only one left, who was the guardian of the city and ourselves, [500] he has been killed by you just now, while he was protecting his fatherland. 501 I mean Hector. And it is because of him that I now come to the ships of the Achaeans 502 intending to ransom his body from you. And I bring with me great ransom beyond telling. 503 Show respect [ aideîsthai], O Achilles, to the gods; and have pity on me. 504 Remember your own father. But I am far more pitiable, [505] for I have steeled myself as no one yet among earthbound mortals has ever steeled himself before me. 506 I have raised to my lips the hand of the one who killed my son.”

507 Thus he [= Priam] spoke, and he stirred up in him [= Achilles]

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.468 focus

Thus having spoken, Hermes took his way

Back to the Olympian summit. Priam then

Sprang from the chariot to the ground. He left

590

Idæus there to guard the steeds and mules,

And, hastening to the tent where, dear to Jove,

Achilles lodged, he found the chief within,

While his companions sat apart, save two, -

Automedon the brave, and Alcimus,

595

Who claimed descent from Mars. These stood near by,

And ministered to Peleus' son, who then

Was closing a repast, and had just left

The food and wine, and still the table stood.

Unmarked the royal Priam entered in,

600

And, coming to Achilles, clasped his knees,

And kissed those fearful slaughter-dealing hands,

By which so many of his sons had died.

And as, when some blood-guilty man, whose hand

In his own land has slain a fellow-man,

605

Flees to another country, and the abode

Of some great chieftain, all men look on him

Astonished, so, when godlike Priam first

Was seen, Achilles was amazed, and all

Looked on each other, wondering at the sight.

610

And thus King Priam supplicating spake: -

"Think of thy father, an old man like me,

Godlike Achilles! On the dreary verge

Of closing life he stands, and even now

Haply is fiercely pressed by those who dwell

615

Around him, and has none to shield his age

From war and its disasters. Yet his heart

Rejoices when he hears thou yet dost live,

And every day he hopes that his dear son

Will come again from Troy. My lot is hard,

620

For I was father of the bravest sons

In all wide Troy, and none are left me now.

Fifty were with me when the men of Greece

Arrived upon our coast; nineteen of these

Owned the same mother, and the rest were born

625

Within my palaces. Remorseless Mars

Already had laid lifeless most of these,

And Hector, whom I cherished most, whose arm

Defended both our city and ourselves,

Him didst thou lately slay while combating

630

For his dear country. For his sake I come

To the Greek fleet, and to redeem his corse

I bring uncounted ransom. O, revere

The gods, Achilles, and be merciful,

Calling to mind thy father! happier he

635

Than I; for I have borne what no man else

That dwells on earth could bear, - have laid my lips

Upon the hand of him who slew my son."

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.468 focus

Thus having said, he vanish'd from his eyes,

And in a moment shot into the skies:

575

The king, confirm'd from heaven, alighted there,

And left his aged herald on the car.

With solemn pace through various rooms he went,

And found Achilles in his inner tent:

There sat the hero; Alcimus the brave,

580

And great Automedon, attendance gave;

These served his person at the royal feast;

Around, at awful distance, stood the rest.

Unseen by these, the king his entry made;

And, prostrate now before Achilles laid,

585

Sudden (a venerable sight!) appears;

Embrac'd his knees, and bath'd his hands in tears;

Those direful hands his kisses press'd, imbrued

E'en with the best, the dearest of his blood!

As when a wretch (who, conscious of his crime,

590

Pursued for murder, flies his native clime)

Just gains some frontier, breathless, pale, amaz'd!

All gaze, all wonder: thus Achilles gaz'd:

Thus stood th' attendants stupid with surprise:

All mute, yet seem'd to question with their eyes:

595

Each look'd on other, none the silence broke,

Till thus at last the kingly suppliant spoke:

‘Ah think, thou favour'd of the powers divine!

‘Think of thy father's age, and pity mine!

‘In me, that father's reverend image trace,

600

‘Those silver hairs, that venerable face;

‘His trembling limbs, his helpless person, see!

‘In all my equal, but in misery!

‘Yet now, perhaps, some turn of human fate

‘Expels him helpless from his peaceful state;

605

‘Think, from some powerful foe thou see'st him fly,

‘And beg protection with a feeble cry.

‘Yet still one comfort in his soul may rise;

‘He hears his son still lives to glad his eyes;

‘And, hearing, still may hope a better day

610

‘May send him thee, to chase that foe away.

‘No comfort to my griefs, no hopes remain,

‘The best, the bravest of my sons are slain!

‘Yet what a race! ere Greece to Ilion came,

‘The pledge of many a lov'd and loving dame!

615

‘Nineteen one mother bore—Dead, all are dead!

‘How oft, alas! has wretched Priam bled!

‘Still one was left, their loss to recompense;

‘His father's hope, his country's last defence.

‘Him too thy rage has slain! beneath thy steel,

620

‘Unhappy, in his country's cause, he fell!

‘For him, through hostile camps I bent my way,

‘For him thus prostrate at thy feet I lay;

‘Large gifts, proportion'd to thy wrath, I bear:

‘Oh, hear the wretched, and the gods revere!

625

‘Think of thy father, and this face behold!

‘See him in me, as helpless and as old;

‘Though not so wretched: there he yields to me,

‘The first of men in sovereign misery.

‘Thus forced to kneel, thus grovelling to embrace,

630

‘The scourge and ruin of my realm and race:

‘Suppliant my children's murderer to implore,

‘And kiss those hands yet reeking with their gore!’

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.468 focus

This said, he high Olympus reach'd. The king then left his coach

To grave Idæus, and went on, made his resolv'd approach,

415

And enter'd in a goodly room, where with his princes sate

Jove-lov'd Achilles, at their feast; two only kept the state

Of his attendance, Alcimus, and lord Automedon,

At Priam's entry. A great time Achilles gaz'd upon

His wonder'd-at approach, nor ate; the rest did nothing see,

420

While close he came up, with his hands fast holding the bent knee

Of Hector's conqueror, and kiss'd that large man-slaught'ring hand

That much blood from his sons had drawn. And as in some strange land,

And great man's house, a man is driv'n (with that abhorr'd dismay

That follows wilful bloodshed still, his fortune being to slay

425

One whose blood cries aloud for his) to plead protection,

In such a miserable plight as frights the lookers on;

In such a stupified estate Achilles sat to see

So unexpected, so in night, and so incredibly,

Old Priam's entry. All his friends one on another star'd

430

To see his strange looks, seeing no cause. Thus Priam then prepar'd

His son's redemption: " See in me, O God-like Thetis' son,

Thy aged father, and perhaps even now being outrun

With some of my woes, neighbour foes, thou absent, taking time

To do him mischief, no mean left to terrify the crime

435

Of his oppression; yet he hears thy graces still survive,

And joys to hear it, hoping still to see thee safe arrive

From ruin'd Troy; but I, curs'd man, of all my race shall live

To see none living. Fifty sons the Deities did give

My hopes to live in, all alive when near our trembling shore

440

The Greek ships harbour'd, and one womb nineteen of those sons bore.

Now Mars a number of their knees hath strengthless left, and he

That was, of all, my only joy, and Troy's sole guard, by thee,

Late fighting for his country, slain; whose tender'd person now

I come to ransom. Infinite is that I offer you,

445

Myself conferring it, expos'd alone to all your odds,

Only imploring right of arms. Achilles! Fear the Gods,

Pity an old man like thy sire, different in only this,

That I am wretcheder, and bear that weight of miseries

That never man did, my curs'd lips enforc'd to kiss that hand

450

That slew my children."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.468 focus

So Hermes spake, and to the skies again

Ascended. Then leap'd Priam to the ground,

590

Leaving Idæus; he, the mules and steeds

Watch'd, while the ancient King into the tent

Proceeded of Achilles dear to Jove.

Him there he found, and sitting found apart

His fellow-warriors, of whom two alone

595

Served at his side, Alcimus, branch of Mars,

And brave Automedon; he had himself

Supp'd newly, and the board stood unremoved.

Unseen of all huge Priam enter'd, stood

Near to Achilles, clasp'd his knees, and kiss'd

600

Those terrible and homicidal hands

That had destroy'd so many of his sons.

As when a fugitive for blood the house

Of some Chief enters in a foreign land,

All gaze, astonish'd at the sudden guest,

605

So gazed Achilles seeing Priam there,

And so stood all astonish'd, each his eyes

In silence fastening on his fellow's face.

But Priam kneel'd, and suppliant thus began.

Think, oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods!

610

On thy own father full of days like me,

And trembling on the gloomy verge of life.

Some neighbour Chief, it may be, even now

Oppresses him, and there is none at hand,

No friend to succour him in his distress.

615

Yet, doubtless, hearing that Achilles lives,

He still rejoices, hoping, day by day,

That one day he shall see the face again

Of his own son from distant Troy return'd.

But me no comfort cheers, whose bravest sons,

620

So late the flower of Ilium, all are slain.

When Greece came hither, I had fifty sons;

Nineteen were children of one bed, the rest

Born of my concubines. A numerous house!

But fiery Mars hath thinn'd it. One I had,

625

One, more than all my sons the strength of Troy,

Whom standing for his country thou hast slain—

Hector—His body to redeem I come

Into Achaia's fleet, bringing, myself,

Ransom inestimable to thy tent.

630

Reverence the Gods, Achilles! recollect

Thy father; for his sake compassion show

To me more pitiable still, who draw

Home to my lips (humiliation yet

Unseen on earth) his hand who slew my son.

635

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

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”

source

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

source

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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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.

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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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Leonard Muellner

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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Iliad 24.468

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