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He spake, and took to him the sons of glorious Nestor, and Meges, son of Phyleus, and Thoas and Meriones and Lycomedes, 240 son of Creon, and Melanippus; and they went their way to the hut of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. Then straightway in the one moment was the word said, and the deed fulfilled. Seven tripods bare they from the hut, even as he promised him, and twenty gleaming cauldrons and twelve horses; 245 and forth they speedily led women skilled in goodly handiwork; seven they were, and the eighth was fair-cheeked Briseis. Then Odysseus weighed out ten talents of gold in all, and led the way and with him the other youths of the Achaeans bare the gifts. These then they set in the midst of the place of gathering, and Agamemnon 250 rose up, and Talthybius, whose voice was like a god's, took his stand by the side of the shepherd of the people, holding a boar in his hands. And the son of Atreus drew forth with his hand the knife that ever hung beside the great sheath of his sword, and cut the firstling hairs from the boar, and lifting up his hands 255 made prayer to Zeus; and all the Argives sat thereby in silence, hearkening as was meet unto the king. And he spake in prayer, with a look up to the wide heaven:

Be Zeus my witness first, highest and best of gods, and Earth and Sun, and the Erinyes, that under earth 260 take vengeance on men, whosoever hath sworn a false oath, that never laid I hand upon the girl Briseis either by way of a lover's embrace or anywise else, but she ever abode untouched in my huts. And if aught of this oath be false, may the gods give me woes 265 full many, even all that they are wont to give to him whoso sinneth against them in his swearing.

He spake, and cut the boar's throat with the pitiless bronze, and the body Talthybius whirled and flung into the great gulf of the grey sea, to be food for the fishes; but Achilles uprose, and spake among the war-loving Argives: 270

Father Zeus, great in good sooth is the blindness thou sendest upon men. Never would the son of Atreus have utterly roused the wrath within my breast, nor led off the girl ruthlessly in my despite, but mayhap it was the good pleasure of Zeus that on many of the Achaeans death should come. 275 But now go ye to your meal, that we may join in battle.

Iliad. Homer. A. T. Murray (Translator). London. 1924-1925.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

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

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.) — 19.238 focus

ἦ, καὶ Νέστορος υἷας ὀπάσσατο κυδαλίμοιο

Φυλεΐδην τε Μέγητα Θόαντά τε Μηριόνην τε

καὶ Κρειοντιάδην Λυκομήδεα καὶ Μελάνιππον·

240

βὰν δʼ ἴμεν ἐς κλισίην Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο.

αὐτίκʼ ἔπειθʼ ἅμα μῦθος ἔην, τετέλεστο δὲ ἔργον·

ἑπτὰ μὲν ἐκ κλισίης τρίποδας φέρον, οὕς οἱ ὑπέστη,

αἴθωνας δὲ λέβητας ἐείκοσι, δώδεκα δʼ ἵππους·

ἐκ δʼ ἄγον αἶψα γυναῖκας ἀμύμονα ἔργα ἰδυίας

245

ἕπτʼ, ἀτὰρ ὀγδοάτην Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον.

χρυσοῦ δὲ στήσας Ὀδυσεὺς δέκα πάντα τάλαντα

ἦρχʼ, ἅμα δʼ ἄλλοι δῶρα φέρον κούρητες Ἀχαιῶν.

καὶ τὰ μὲν ἐν μέσσῃ ἀγορῇ θέσαν, ἂν δʼ Ἀγαμέμνων

ἵστατο· Ταλθύβιος δὲ θεῷ ἐναλίγκιος αὐδὴν

250

κάπρον ἔχων ἐν χερσὶ παρίστατο ποιμένι λαῶν.

Ἀτρεΐδης δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος χείρεσσι μάχαιραν,

ἥ οἱ πὰρ ξίφεος μέγα κουλεὸν αἰὲν ἄωρτο,

κάπρου ἀπὸ τρίχας ἀρξάμενος Διὶ χεῖρας ἀνασχὼν

εὔχετο· τοὶ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἐπʼ αὐτόφιν εἵατο σιγῇ

255

Ἀργεῖοι κατὰ μοῖραν ἀκούοντες βασιλῆος.

εὐξάμενος δʼ ἄρα εἶπεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν·

ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς πρῶτα θεῶν ὕπατος καὶ ἄριστος

Γῆ τε καὶ Ἠέλιος καὶ Ἐρινύες, αἵ θʼ ὑπὸ γαῖαν

ἀνθρώπους τίνυνται, ὅτις κʼ ἐπίορκον ὀμόσσῃ,

260

μὴ μὲν ἐγὼ κούρῃ Βρισηΐδι χεῖρʼ ἐπένεικα,

οὔτʼ εὐνῆς πρόφασιν κεχρημένος οὔτέ τευ ἄλλου.

ἀλλʼ ἔμενʼ ἀπροτίμαστος ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ἐμῇσιν.

εἰ δέ τι τῶνδʼ ἐπίορκον ἐμοὶ θεοὶ ἄλγεα δοῖεν

πολλὰ μάλʼ, ὅσσα διδοῦσιν ὅτίς σφʼ ἀλίτηται ὀμόσσας.

265

ἦ, καὶ ἀπὸ στόμαχον κάπρου τάμε νηλέϊ χαλκῷ.

τὸν μὲν Ταλθύβιος πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἐς μέγα λαῖτμα

ῥῖψʼ ἐπιδινήσας βόσιν ἰχθύσιν· αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἀνστὰς Ἀργείοισι φιλοπτολέμοισι μετηύδα·

Ζεῦ πάτερ ἦ μεγάλας ἄτας ἄνδρεσσι διδοῖσθα·

270

οὐκ ἂν δή ποτε θυμὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ἐμοῖσιν

Ἀτρεΐδης ὤρινε διαμπερές, οὐδέ κε κούρην

ἦγεν ἐμεῦ ἀέκοντος ἀμήχανος· ἀλλά ποθι Ζεὺς

ἤθελʼ Ἀχαιοῖσιν θάνατον πολέεσσι γενέσθαι.

νῦν δʼ ἔρχεσθʼ ἐπὶ δεῖπνον, ἵνα ξυνάγωμεν Ἄρηα.

275

Translations (8)

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.) — 19.249 focus

249 Agamemnon then rose, and Talthybios whose voice was like that of a god came to him with the boar. The son of Atreus drew the knife which he wore by the scabbard of his mighty sword, and began by cutting off some bristles from the boar, lifting up his hands in prayer as he did so. The other Achaeans sat where they were all silent and orderly to hear the king, and Agamemnon looked into the vault of heaven and prayed saying, "I call Zeus the first and mightiest of all gods to witness, I call also Earth and Sun and the Erinyes who dwell below and take vengeance on him who shall swear falsely, that I have laid no hand upon the girl Briseis, neither to take her to my bed nor otherwise, but that she has remained in my tents inviolate. If I swear falsely may heaven visit me with all the penalties which it metes out to those who perjure themselves."

266 He cut the boar's throat as he spoke, whereon Talthybios whirled it round his head, and flung it into the wide sea to feed the fishes. Then Achilles also rose and said to the Argives, "Father Zeus, truly you give atê to men and bane them. The son of Atreus had not else stirred me to so fierce an anger, nor so stubbornly taken Briseis from me against my will. Surely Zeus must have counseled the destruction of many an Argive . Go, now, and take your food that we may begin fighting."

276 On this he broke up the assembly, and every man went back to his own ship. The Myrmidons attended to the presents and took them away to the ship of Achilles. They placed them in his tents, while the stable-men [therapontes] drove the horses in among the others.

282 Briseis, fair as Aphrodite, when she saw the mangled body of Patroklos, flung herself upon it and cried aloud, tearing her breast, her neck, and her lovely face with both her hands. Beautiful as a goddess she wept and said, "Patroklos, dearest friend, when I went hence I left you living; I return, O prince, to find you dead; thus do fresh sorrows multiply upon me one after the other. I saw him to whom my father and mother married me, cut down before our city, and my three own dear brothers perished with him on the self-same day; but you, Patroklos, even when Achilles slew my husband and sacked the city of noble Mynes, told me that I was not to weep, for you said you would make Achilles marry me, and take me back with him to Phthia , we should have a wedding feast among the Myrmidons. You were always kind to me and I shall never cease to grieve for you."

301 She wept as she spoke, and the women joined in her lament-making as though their tears were for Patroklos, but in truth each was weeping for her own sorrows. The elders of the Achaeans gathered round Achilles and prayed him to take food, but he groaned and would not do so. "I pray you," said he, "if any comrade will hear me, bid me neither eat nor drink, for I am in great heaviness, and will stay fasting even to the going down of the sun."

309 On this he sent the other princes away, save only the two sons of Atreus and Odysseus, Nestor, Idomeneus, and the horseman Phoenix, who stayed behind and tried to comfort him in the bitterness of his sorrow [ akhos]: but he would not be comforted till he should have flung himself into the jaws of battle, and he fetched sigh on sigh, thinking ever of Patroklos. Then he said-

315 "Hapless and dearest comrade, you it was who would get a good dinner ready for me at once and without delay when the Achaeans were hastening to fight the Trojans; now, therefore, though I have meat and drink in my tents, yet will I fast for sorrow. Grief greater than this I could not know, not even though I were to hear of the death of my father, who is now in Phthia weeping for the loss of me his son, who am here fighting the Trojans in a strange land [ dêmos] for the accursed sake of Helen, nor yet though I should hear that my son is no more - he who is being brought up in Skyros - if indeed Neoptolemos is still living. Till now I made sure that I alone was to fall here at Troy away from Argos , while you were to return to Phthia , bring back my son with you in your own ship, and show him all my property, my bondsmen, and the greatness of my house - for Peleus must surely be either dead, or what little life remains to him is oppressed alike with the infirmities of age and ever present fear lest he should hear the sad tidings of my death."

337 He wept as he spoke, and the elders sighed in concert as each thought on what he had left at home behind him. The son of Kronos looked down with pity upon them, and said presently to Athena, "My child, you have quite deserted your hero; is he then gone so clean out of your recollection? There he sits by the ships all desolate for the loss of his dear comrade, and though the others are gone to their dinner he will neither eat nor drink. Go then and drop nectar and ambrosia into his breast, that he may know no hunger."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 19.238 focus

When he had thus spoken he took with him the sons of glorious Nestor, with Meges son of Phyleus, Thoas, Meriones, Lykomedes [240] son of Kreontes, and Melanippos, and went to the tent of Agamemnon son of Atreus. The word was not sooner said than the deed was done: they brought out the seven tripods which Agamemnon had promised, with the twenty metal cauldrons and the twelve horses; [245] And they led forth right away the women, skilled in flawless handiwork, 246 seven of them, and the eighth was Brisēis of the fair cheeks. Odysseus weighed out the ten talents of gold and then led the way back, while the young Achaeans brought the rest of the gifts, and laid them in the middle of the assembly.

Agamemnon [250] then rose, and Talthybios whose voice was like that of a god came to him with the boar. The son of Atreus drew the knife which he wore by the scabbard of his mighty sword, and began by cutting off some bristles from the boar, lifting up his hands [255] in prayer as he did so. The other Achaeans sat where they were all silent and orderly to hear the king, and Agamemnon looked into the vault of the heavens and prayed saying, “I call Zeus the first and mightiest of all gods to witness, I call also Earth and Sun and the Furies [ Erinyes] who dwell below [260] and take vengeance on him who shall swear falsely, that I have laid no hand upon the girl Brisēis, neither to take her to my bed nor otherwise, but that she has remained in my tents inviolate. If I swear falsely may the gods visit me [265] with all the penalties which they mete out to those who perjure themselves.”

He cut the boar’s throat as he spoke, whereon Talthybios whirled it round his head, and flung it into the wide sea to feed the fishes. Then Achilles also rose and said to the battle-fond Argives, [270] “Father Zeus, truly you give derangement [ atē] to men and damage them. The son of Atreus had not else stirred me to so fierce an anger, nor so stubbornly taken Brisēis from me against my will. Surely Zeus must have counseled the destruction of many an Argive. [275] Go, now, and take your food that we may begin fighting.”

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 19.238 focus

He spake, and summoned to his side the sons

Of glorious Nestor, and Meriones,

And Meges, son of Phyleus, and with them

285

Thoas, and Lycomedes, Creon's son,

And Melanippus. Straight they took their way

To Agamemnon's tent, and there their task

Was done as quickly as the word was given.

They brought seven tripods forth, the promised gifts,

290

And twenty burnished caldrons, and twelve steeds,

And led away seven graceful women trained

In household arts, - the maid with rosy cheeks,

Briseis, was the eighth. Ulysses came,

Leading the way, and bearing, duly weighed,

295

Ten talents, all of gold. The Achaian youths

Followed, and placed the presents in the midst

Of that assembly. Agamemnon rose;

And then Talthybius, who was like a god

In power of voice, came near and took his place

300

Beside the monarch, holding in his hands

A boar. The son of Atreus drew a knife,

Which hung by the great scabbard of his sword,

And, cutting off the forelock of the boar,

Prayed with uplifted hands to Jupiter:

305

Meantime the Greeks in silence kept their seats,

And, as became them, listened to the king,

Who looked into the sky above, and said:

"Now first bear witness, Jove, of all the gods

Greatest and best, and also Earth and Sun,

310

And Furies dwelling under Earth, who take

Vengeance on men forsworn, that never I

Have laid, for purpose of unchaste desire,

Or other cause, my hand upon the maid

Briseis. She hath dwelt inviolate

315

Within my tents. If yet in aught I say

Lurk perjury, then may the blessed gods

Heap on my head the many miseries

With which they punish those who falsely swear!"

He spake, and drew the unrelenting blade

320

Across the animal's throat. Talthybius took

And swung the carcass round, and cast it forth

Into the gray sea's depths, to be the food

Of fishes. Then again Achilles rose

Among the warlike sons of Greece, and said: -

325

"Great sorrows thou dost send, O Father Jove!

Upon mankind; for never would the son

Of Atreus have provoked the wrath that burned

Within my bosom, never would have thought

To bear away the maiden from my tent

330

In spite of me, had it not been the will

Of Jupiter that many a Greek should die.

But banquet now, and then prepare for war."

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 19.238 focus

And now the delegates Ulysses sent,

To bear the presents from the royal tent.

The sons of Nestor, Phyleus' valiant heir,

245

Thoas and Merion, thunderbolts of war,

With Lycomedes of Creiontian strain,¹

And Melanippus, form'd the chosen train.

Swift as the word was given, the youths obey'd;

Twice ten bright vases in the midst they laid:

250

A row of six fair tripods then succeeds;

And twice the number of high-bounding steeds;

Seven captives next a lovely line compose;

The eighth Briseïs, like the blooming rose,

Clos'd the bright band: great Ithacus before,

255

First of the train, the golden talents bore:

The rest in public view the chiefs dispose,

A splendid scene! Then Agamemnon rose:

The boar Talthybius held: the Grecian lord

Drew the broad cutlass sheath'd beside his sword;

260

The stubborn bristles from the victim's brow

He crops,² and, offering, meditates his vow.

His hands uplifted to th' attesting skies,

On heaven's broad marble roof were fix'd his eyes;

The solemn words a deep attention draw,

265

And Greece around sat thrill'd with sacred awe.

‘Witness, thou first! thou greatest power above;

‘All-good, all-wise, and all-surveying Jove!

‘And mother earth, and heaven's revolving light,

‘And ye, fell furies of the realms of night,

270

‘Who rule the dead, and horrid woes prepare

‘For perjur'd kings, and all who falsely swear!

‘The black-ey'd maid inviolate removes,

‘Pure and unconscious of my manly loves.

‘If this be false, heaven all its vengeance shed,

275

‘And levell'd thunder strike my guilty head!’

With that, his weapon deep inflicts the wound:

The bleeding savage tumbles to the ground:

The sacred herald rolls the victim slain

(A feast for fish) into the foaming main.³

280

Then thus Achilles: ‘Hear, ye Greeks! and know

‘Whate'er we feel, 'tis Jove inflicts the woe:

‘Not else Atrides could our rage inflame,

‘Nor from my arms, unwilling, force the dame.

‘'Twas Jove's high will alone, o'er-ruling all,

285

‘That doom'd our strife, and doom'd the Greeks to fall.

‘Go then, ye chiefs! indulge the genial rite;

‘Achilles waits ye, and expects the fight.’

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 19.238 focus

And when he this had said, away he went,

And with him took Meges, Meriones,

Theas, Antilochus, and Thrasymed,

And Menalippus, and added unto these

The martial son of Creon, Lycomed,

220

And brought the presents from Atrides' tent.

Sev'n tripods great, and twenty cauldrons bright,

Twelve horses, and sev'n women with them went,

And, fair'st of all, Briseis made them eight.

Talents of gold Ulysses weigh'd out ten,

225

And took the pains himself to carry that;

The rest was carri'd by the younger men,

And laid before the princes as they sat.

Then Agamemnon rose, and by him near

Talthybius attended with a swine,

230

From which Atrides clipt a lock of hair,

And lifts his hands unto the pow'rs divine.

O Jove, said he, the chiefest of the Gods,

O Sun, and Earth, and Furies underground,

That in your hands carry th' eternal rods

235

To punish such as perjur'dshall be found,

My hand I on Briseis never laid,

Neither for bed, nor any other cause;

But always in my tent untouched she staid,

Nor ever by me once attempted was.

240

And if herein I told you have a lie,

Let all the dreadful torments that are due

To such as guilty are of perjury

Upon me fall. This said, the swine he slew.

Then out the stomach of the swine did cut,

245

And that Talthybius took in his hands.

And threw't into the sea the fish to glut.

That done, Achilles up amongst them stands.

'Tis thou, O Jove, said he, that spoilest all.

Briseis at my tent had stayed still,

250

Nor had her going from me mov'd my gall,

But that thou hadst a mind the Greeks to kill.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 19.238 focus

This said, he chose, for noblest youths to bear the presents, these:

The sons of Nestor, and with them renown'd Meriones,

Phylides, Thoas, Lycomed, and Meges, all which went,

And Menalippus, following Ulysses to the tent

Of Agamemnon. He but spake, and with the word the deed

235

Had join'd effect. The fitness well was answer'd in the speed.

The presents, added to the dame the General did enforce,

Were twenty caldrons, tripods seven, twelve young and goodly horse,

Seven ladies excellently seen in all Minerva's skill,

The eighth Briseis who had pow'r to ravish every will,

240

Twelve talents of the finest gold, all which Ulysses weigh'd

And carried first, and after him the other youths convey'd

The other presents, tender'd all in face of all the court.

Up rose the king. Talthybius, whose voice had a report

Like to a God, call'd to the rites. There having brought the boar,

245

Atrides with his knife took say upon the part before,

And lifting up his sacred hands to Jove to make his vows,

Grave silence struck the complete court, when, casting his high brows

Up to the broad heaven, thus he spake: "Now witness, Jupiter,

First, highest, and thou best of Gods; thou Earth that all dost bear;

250

Thou Sun; ye Furies under earth that every soul torment

Whom impious perjury distains; that nought incontinent

In bed, or any other act to any slend'rest touch

Of my light vows, hath wrong'd the dame; and, let my plagues be such

As are inflicted by the Gods in all extremity

255

Of whomsoever perjur'd men, if godless perjury

In least degree dishonour me." This said, the bristled throat

Of the submitted sacrifice with ruthless steel he cut;

Which straight into the hoary sea Talthybius cast, to feed

The sea-born nation. Then stood up the half-celestial seed

260

Of fair-hair'd Thetis, strength'ning thus Atrides' innocence:

"O father Jupiter, from thee descends the confluence

Of all man's ill, for now I see the mighty king of men

At no hand fore'd away my prise, nor first inflam'm'd my spleen

With any set ill in himself, but thou, the King of Gods,

265

Incens'd with Greece, made that the mean to all their periods.

Which now amend we as we may, and give all suffrages

To what wise Ithacus advis'd; take breakfasts, and address

For instant conflict."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 19.238 focus

So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief,

285

He chose, with Meges Phyleus' noble son,

Thoas, Meriones, and Melanippus

And Lycomedes. These, together, sought

The tent of Agamemnon, King of men.

They ask'd, and they received. Soon they produced

290

The seven promised tripods from the tent,

Twice ten bright cauldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds,

Seven lovely captives skill'd alike in arts

Domestic, of unblemish'd beauty rare,

And last, Brisëis with the blooming cheeks.

295

Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh'd

Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks

Attended laden with the remnant gifts.

Full in the midst they placed them. Then arose

King Agamemnon, and Talthybius

300

The herald, clear in utterance as a God,

Beside him stood, holding the victim boar.

Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright,

Appendant ever to his sword's huge sheath,

Sever'd the bristly forelock of the boar,

305

A previous offering. Next, with lifted hands

To Jove he pray'd, while, all around, the Greeks

Sat listening silent to the Sovereign's voice.

He look'd to the wide heaven, and thus he pray'd.

First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above

310

Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun!

And last, who under earth the guilt avenge

Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear!

For no respect of amorous desire

Or other purpose, have I laid mine hand

315

On fair Brisëis, but within my tent

Untouch'd, immaculate she hath remain'd.

And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods

The many woes with which they mark the crime

Of men forsworn, pour also down on me!

320

So saying, he pierced the victim in his throat,

And, whirling him around, Talthybius, next,

Cast him into the ocean, fishes' food.

Then, in the centre of Achaia's sons

Uprose Achilles, and thus spake again.

325

Jove! Father! dire calamities, effects

Of thy appointment, fall on human-kind.

Never had Agamemnon in my breast

Such anger kindled, never had he seized,

Blinded by wrath, and torn my prize away,

330

But that the slaughter of our numerous friends

Which thence ensued, thou hadst, thyself, ordain'd.

Now go, ye Greecians, eat, and then to battle.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 19 focus

BOOK XIX

Just then the saffron-vested Dawn rose from the streams of Ocean,

To carry unto mortals light and eke to gods immortal,

When Thetis to the galleys came, bearing her heav'nly present,

And found her own beloved son around Patroclus lying,

Wailing aloud; and at his side a troop of gather'd comrades

Were weeping. Then amidst them stood the goddess, pride of heaven;

And closely did she press his hand, and spake, his name pronouncing:

"My child! him let us now endure, albeit keen our sorrow,

So as he is, to lie; sith he by will of God is fallen.

But thou, out of my hands receive these noble arms from Vulcan,

Right beauteous: such never yet man on his shoulders carried."

After such word, before her son the goddess laid the armour.

Aloud the crafty fabric clang'd: the Myrmidons in terror

Shrank from its dazzling radiance, nor dar'd to eye the goddess.

But Achileus, the more he look'd, the more did rage possess him,

And, neath his eyelids, direful shot, like flame, his glance of eyen:

Yet joy'd he in his hands to hold the brilliant gifts of heaven.

But when the wondrous handicraft his eyes with joy had sated,

He to his mother instantly did winged accents utter:

"My mother! arms, the god hath sent, such as from work immortal

Befitteth: vainly mortal man would vie in such achievement.

Gird me for fight forthwith will I, in sooth: yet direly dread I,

Lest flies, the meanwhile, entering the brass-imprinted gashes,

Breed worms within my valiant friend, and do his corpse dishonour:

(For all the life is gone from it:) so would his flesh be rotted."

Then Thetis of the silver foot reciprocal address'd him:

"My child! let not such things as this be burden on thy spirit.

The flies, these savage tribes, that eat heroes in battle fallen,

My care it be, aloof to keep. If, the full year, Patroclus

Here lie, his flesh shall alway be still firm, or even better.

But unto public mote do thou the Achaian heroes summon,

And there to Atreus' royal son renounce thy mood of anger:

Then instant for emprize of war accoutred, don thy valour."

Thus having spoken, thro' his frame she breath'd intrepid vigour;

Then to Patroclus, stooping low, distill'd she thro' the nostrils

Ambrosia and nectar red, to keep his flesh in firmness.

Meanwhile along the shingly strand divine Achilles hied him,

With shout of horrible upróar, and rous'd the Achaian heroes.

Yea, those who formerly would stay within the naval precinct,

Who pilots only were, and kept the rudders of the galleys,

Or held the public bread in store, — distributors and stewards;

Now even these to mote came forth, enhearten'd; sith Achilles,

Long absent from distressful fight, did now appear among them.

Amid the Achaians, limping came two ministers of Ares,

The war-abiding Tydeus' son and lofty-soul'd Ulysses,

Leaning upon the spear; for still the bitter wounds distress'd them:

These mid the foremost of the mote did hie, and soon were seated.

But Agamemnon, prince of men, was latest of arriving,

He too disabled by a wound; for in the hardy struggle

Koön, Antenor's son, his arm with brazen spear had pierced.

When therefore in full gathering the Achaians were assembled,

Thus did Achilles, fleet of foot, uprising, speak among them:

"Atrides! troth, for thee and me far earlier was better

This present work to do; when we, with grief of bosom pierced,

Did for a damsel's sake flame out in soul-devouring quarrel.

Would that the shaft of Artemis had slain her in the galleys,

Upon the selfsame day, when I Lyrnessus took and ravag'd.

Then of Achaians fewer far beneath the hands of foemen

Had strown the immeasurable field thro' my relentless anger.

To Hector and the Troians that was gainful; but the Achaians

Will long remembrance hold, I deem, of mine and thy contention.

But leave we these things, past and gone, — albeit keen our sorrow,

And the fond fancies of the heart by stern constraint subdue we.

Here then an end I make of wrath: nor verily behov'd it

Me alway obstinate in heart to boil; but come! and quickly

Enhearten to emprize of war the streaming-hair'd Achaians;

So I, with Troians once again confronted, shall assure me,

Whether beside the ships to sleep delight them: but I reckon

That of their army more than one his limbs will rest full gladly,

If safely from our spear he scape in shock of foes' encounter."

So spake he, and with gladness fill'd the dappergreav'd Achaians,

That mighty-hearted Peleus' son renounc'd his mood of anger.

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, responsive to Achilles,

Address'd them, seated as he was, not rising in the middle:

"Friends, heroes of the Danaï, and ministers of Ares,

When any riseth for harangue, to him 'tis well to listen,

Nor interrupt; — which worrieth even a skilful speaker.

For in the hurly of a crowd what ears avail for hearing?

What voice for speaking? fluent tongues and ready hearts are crippled.

Now I to Peleus' son reply straight open: but the others,—

Ye Argives! ponder well my word, and each of you discern it.

Oft time the Achaians spake to me advice, and oft revil'd me,

Who am not guilty. Jove, and Fate, and the dusk-roaming Fury,—

'Tis these, who in assembly fir'd my breast with savage frenzy,

Upon the selfsame day, when I Achilles' prize invaded.

What else to do avail'd I? God doth throughly all accomplish.

Jove's eldest child is Frenesy, who all men doth enfrenzy,

Accursed. Tender are her feet, nor toucheth she the pavement,

But trampeth heads of men, with bale; and one or other tangleth.

Yea, once she frenzied Jupiter, whom amid gods and mortals

Chiefest they call; yet him with guile Juno, a female, cheated;

What time Alcmena's hour was ripe in turret-fretted Thebe

For birth of Héracles: then he before all heaven vaunted:

100

'Oh all ye gods and goddesses! to my announcement hearken,

That I the counsel may declare which in my bosom swayeth.

A hero from my breed and blood outsprung, — him Eileithuia,

Who painful travail softeneth, shall show to light of heaven

This day, for lordship far and wide o'er all surrounding peoples.'

105

Then guileful-heartedly to him spake venerable Juno:

'Thou wilt the liar play, nor crown thy saying with fulfilment.

Or else, come now, Olympian! a hardy oath I tender.

Swear thou, that he shall lordship hold o'er all surrounding peoples,

Who, from thy breed and blood, this day shall drop of woman's travail.'

110

When thus she challeng'd, Jupiter her guilefulness discern'd not,

But sware the dreadful oath: therefrom a mighty mischief reap'd he:

But Juno, hasting on her path, Olympus' margin quitted

And to Achaian Argos reach'd right quickly, where did habit

115

The valiant wife of Sthenelus, son unto Joveborn Perseus,

Who counted seven months (she knew) in hope of tender offspring.

Her did the goddess forward bring, tho' in her months untoward,

And stopt Alcmena's travailing, and held the Eileithuias.

Then she, on errand self-despatch'd, Saturnius accosted:

120

'Sire of the shining thunderbolt! a word, O Jove! I bring thee.

Now is a noble hero born, for lordship o'er the Argives,

Eurystheus, child of Sthenelus, son unto Joveborn Perseus,

Thy issue: not unfitly he will o'er the Argives lord it.'

So spake she; but his soul profound was smit with piercing anguish.

125

Quick by her dainty-braided head on Frenesy he seized,

And raging sware a hardy oath, that never to Olympus

And starry heaven back should wend she, who doth all enfrenzy.

He, after such avowal stern, from starry heav'n toss'd her,

130

Whirling her with his hand; and quick she reach'd the works of mortals.

And her he alway curs'd, whene'er he saw his own dear offspring

By contumely of toil distraught beneath Eurystheus' taskings.

Nor yet the more was I, what time great motley-helmed Hector

Dire ravage of the Argives made beside their outmost galleys,—

135

Able from Frenesy to part, who once had wrought me mischief.

But tho' enfrenzied I have been, and Jove my wits hath emptied,

Again to win thee fain am I, and pay thee countless ransom.

But up! for enterprize of war, and rouse the other peoples.

And pledg'd I hold myself to pay, whate'er divine Ulysses

140

Before thy presence yester-eve, as gifts from me, behighted.

Or come! an so will please thee, stay, albeit press'd to battle;

And hither shall forthwith my squires, out of my galley taking,

Bring thee the gifts; so mayest thou see my heart-soothing presents."

But him Achilles, fleet of foot, reciprocal accosted:

145

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides!

The gifts (an so thou wilt,) to give, as seemly is, or keep them,—

With thee it resteth. Instant now let battle-glee concern us,

Nor toy, nor shuffle: still is left a mighty work to compass.

150

As each may Peleus' son behold again among the foremost

Wide wasting with the brazen spear the Troïan battalions,

So eke let every man give heed to quit himself in combat."

Thereat responsive spake to him Ulysses much-devising:

"Achilles! image of the gods! do not, howe'er intrepid,

155

Hurry to drive on Ilium Achaia's children fasting,

For combat with the Troians; sith no short-enduring warcry

Shall greet us, when for bargain once the companies encounter

Of armed heroes, both alive with heaven-breathed fierceness.

But bid the Achaians food to taste, at the sharp-pointed galleys,

160

Of pleasant bread and wine: for this to weary men is vigour.

— For, man may nowise all the day until the shades of sunset

From gifts of Ceres abstinent confront the work of Ares.

For tho' his spirit eager be for enterprize of battle,

Yet heaviness by stealth his limbs o'erhend him, and his knees beneath

165

Are palsied in his goings. But whoso with the foe may fight,

Even the livelong day, his soul is hearty in his bosom,

Nor faint his limbs, ere every man retireth him from battle.

170

But come! disperse the people; bid, that they to dinner gird them;

And Agamemnon, prince of men, shall bring his gifts before us:

So with their eyes the Achaians all shall see, and thou be gladden'd.

And let him swear the mighty oath, among the Argives rising,

175

That never did he touch her bed with tenderness and passion,

As is the ordinance, O prince! to man and woman sacred:

So be thy spirit satisfied and sooth'd within thy bosom!

Thereafter shall the prince of men within his tents delight thee

By a rich banquet, leaving naught unfinish'd of thy honour.

180

Thou, son of Atreus! wilt alsó hereafter be more rightful

In other men's esteem: for none can blame it, that a monarch,

Who did in anger take the lead, again beseecheth friendship."

Him Agamemnon, prince of men, reciprocal accosted:

"Son of Laërtes! much I joy to hear the word thou sayest;

185

For duly hast thou every thing distinguish'd and recounted.

The oath thou namest, this I wish to swear by mighty power;

Nor shall I perjur'd be: my soul doth urge me: but Achilles

Must here that little while await, albeit press'd to battle;

And stay, assembled, ye the rest, until the presents hither

190

May from my tent arrive, and I by faithful oaths may bind me.

But to thyself this deed in charge entrust I: — youths selecting,

Chieftains of Panachaia, bear the gifts from out my galley,

Whate'er we yester-eve behote; and lead with them the women.

And, for the Sun and Jove, amid Achaia's ample army,

195

Talthybius a boar shall bring to consecrate our treaties."

But him Achilles, fleet of foot, address'd in words responsive:

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides!

Rather at otherwhile on this be busy, if the battle

Shall after flag, when in my breast the fire may burn less fiercely.

200

But now our comrades prostrate lie and mangled, who were vanquish'd

By Hector, son of Priamus, when Jove to glory rais'd him.

But ye to feeding urge us. Troth! all abstinent and fasting

205

Achaia's children spur would I to war, and then with sunset

To meet in solemn supper, when we had the outrage punish'd.

But neither food nor drink to me may earlier be pleasant

Adown my tender throat to pass, now as my friend is perish'd,

210

Who prostrate lieth in my tent, by the sharp weapon mangled,

Turn'd to the threshold. Round him weep my comrades. Hence I ponder

Not food, but carnage now and gore and noisome groans of heroes."

To him then spake reciprocal Ulysses much devising:

215

"Mighty Achilles! Peleus' son! exalted of the Achaians!

Thou with the spear (I wis) than me art better, not a little,

And stronger; yet in intellect might I in turn surpass thee

By far; sith I am elderborn, and wider is my knowledge.

Therefore command thy heart to bear the pressure of my counsel.

220

Satiety of battle-cry to mortals speedy cometh,

Wherein the sickle reapeth crop too small, but straw in plenty,

When Jove, high arbiter of war, the scale of prowess tilteth.

But nowise may the Achaians mourn the dead man with their belly;

225

For, every day, successive fall too many. When may respite

Of sorrow be? Whoso is slain, him ever must we bury

Steeling our hearts, but weeping still; and whoso yet surviveth

From hateful warfare, him the care of drink and food behoveth:

230

So may we more incessant fight against the foeman alway,

In brass unweariable clad. Let none among the peoples

Stop, waiting fresh commandment; (thence would evil come;) while any

Be at the Argive galleys left. But, sallying together

235

Against the courser-taming Troians rouse we eager Ares."

So spake he, and beside him took the sons of famous Nestor,

And Thoas and Meriones and Meges son of Phyleus,

And Lycomedes, Creion's son, and lastly Melanippus;

240

Who hied to speed them to the tent of royal Agamemnon.

There, scarcely spoken was the word, and lo! the deed was ended.

They from the tent the tripods brought, — the seven which he promis'd, —

The coursers twelve for racing fam'd, and twenty shining cauldrons.

Then women quickly led they forth, with blameless work acquainted,

245

Seven; but after them the eighth, — the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs.

Thereat Ulysses, weighing-out of gold ten perfect talents,

Led forward: other youths behind in train the presents bearing

In mid assembly ranged them: and up rose Agamemnon.

Then by the people's shepherd stood Talthybius the herald, —

250

Whose voice with voice of god might vie, and brought the boar before them.

But Atreus' son with ready hand his hunting-knife unfasten'd,

Which by his sword's great scabbard hung, companion never absent, —

Clipt the first bristles of the boar, his hands to Jove uplifted,

And prayed. All the Argives sat in silence at their places,

255

Duly to reverence compos'd, attentive to the monarch.

So he invoking spake his pray'r, to vasty heaven looking:

"Of this let Jove be witness first, of gods the Best and Highest,

And Earth, and Sun, and Furies all, who in the world beneath us

Do punish men deceas'd — whoe'er a perjur'd oath has utter'd; —

260

That never did I lay my hand upon the maid Briseïs,

Neither with purpose of the couch, nor otherwise accosting,

But in my tents she aye abode inviolate, unsullied.

If aught hereof be falsely sworn, then may the gods bestray me

With whatsoe'er of woe they send, when man in oath offendeth."

265

He spake, and thro' the victim's throat deep drove the heartless weapon.

The corpse, as fodder to the fish, Talthybius flung whirling

Into the vasty hoary sheet of ocean. But Achilles

Uprising spake his word among the battle-loving Argives:

"O Father Jove! great frenesies to men thou truly sendest.

270

Never in sooth would Atreus' son so throughly have bestirred

The spirit in my bosom, nor have ta'en away the damsel

Despite my will, intractable; but Jupiter, methinketh,

Was minded, bale and death to send to many of Achaia.

But now to dinner hasten ye; so may we mingle battle."

275

Such words he utter'd, and at once brake up the hasty meeting.

Thereat asunder wended they, each to his proper galley;

But the high-hearted Myrmidons were with the presents busied,

And hied to set them on the ship of Achileus their leader:

Meanwhile, some in the tents they plac'd, and seated there the women;

280

The racers, these his stately squires into the herd had driven.

Thereat Briseïs, like in mien to golden Aphrodite,

When she Patroclus' corpse beheld by the sharp weapon mangled,

Pouring herself around him, wail'd right shrill, and rent with gashes

Her bosom and her tender neck and eke her dainty visage.

285

Then, brilliant as the goddesses, forth spake the woman wailing:

"Alas, Patroclus, thou who wast to wretched me most pleasing!

Thee verily alive I left, when from the tent they led me:

But now, returning, here I find, O captain of the peoples!

Thy corpse unburied. How doth aye woe after woe receive me!

290

The man, into whose arms my sire and queenly mother gave me,

Before our city him I saw by the sharp weapon mangled.

And eke three warriours belov'd, own children of my mother,

My tender kinsmen, all of them their deadly day encounter'd.

And when swift Achileus had slain my husband, and had ravag'd

295

The town of godlike Mynes, thou forbaddest me to sorrow,

Trusting to make me wife of youth to Achileus, and bear me

To Phthia, and with all the folk to celebrate my wedding.

Then measureless thy death I wail, O thou who aye wast gentle!"

300

So spake she weeping; after her with moans the women answer'd:

Patroclus gave them but pretext to mourn their proper sorrows.

But round Achilles gather'd now the councillors of Argos

Imploring, that he dinner taste; but he with moans refus'd them:

"If any of my comrades dear will listen, I implore him, —

305

With food and drinking bid me not my inner heart to surfeit:

Grim sorrows pierce me: any gait I stay and dure till sunset."

When he refusal spake outright, the other kings departed;

But still the two Atridæ stay'd, — old charioteering Phenix,

310

And Nestor and Idomeneus and the divine Ulysses,

Sagely beguiling him from grief. Yet nowise would his spirit

Beguiled be, ere that he face the jaws of gory battle.

But he incessant heav'd, and spake, in piteous remembrance:

"Dearest ill-fated friend! of old how quick and earnest wast thou

315

A dainty dinner in my tent to range, whene'er the Achaians

Hurried to tearful war, against the courser-taming Troians!

Now, thus thou liest mangled; but, albeit here be plenty,

In emptiness of thee, my heart from food and drink abstaineth.

320

Naught can I suffer worse; not if my father's death afflict me,

Who, as I ween, in Phthia now a tender tear distilleth,

Widow'd of such a son; (who here for horror-striking Helen,

Upon a soil of foreigners against the Troians warreth;)

325

Or, if I heard the death of him, my offspring, rear'd in Skyros, —

If haply Neoptolemus the godlike yet be living.

For formerly my heart this hope did cherish in my bosom,

That only I should perish, far from courser-feeding Argos,

Here on the spot, in Troy; but thou shouldest to Phthia wend thee,

330

That thou from Skyros mightest lead on the sharp dusky galley

My child unto his father's home, and shouldest all things show him,

My servants and my wide estate and lofty-roofed palace.

For, as to Peleus, he, I bode, outright is either perish'd,

Or, with a little life mayhap, by hateful Eld is worried,

335

Aye waiting for my mournful tale, — the tiding of my slaughter."

Wailing he spake, and to his moans the councillors responded,

Each one remembering all, that he in his own chambers quitted.

But lofty-thron'd Saturnius with pity saw their weeping,

340

And instantly with winged words address'd him to Athene:

"My child! but hast thou utterly thy bonny hero jilted?

No longer hath Achilles then a share within thy bosom?

Lo! there he sitteth, fixt before his lofty crested galleys,

Beweeping his companion dear. The others are departed

345

For care of dinner: he alone is abstinent, untasting.

But come! lest famine him distress, distil thou thro' his bosom

The sweetness of ambrosia and drops of ruddy nectar."

He by such charge Athene spurr'd, herself already eager;

Who plung'd in semblance of a bird, the lengthy-feather'd osprey,

350

Shrill-screaming, down from upper sky, thro' heaven: but the Achaians

Forthwith were arming in the host. The goddess to Achilles

Dropt sweetness of ambrosia and nectar thro' his bosom,

Lest-that unlovely famine loose the toughness of his sinews;

Then she herself departing sought the tightly-builded mansion

355

Of her much-mighty sire: but they far from the ships were pouring.

Thick as from Jupiter may fly the drops of sleety shower,

Chill'd by the gust of Boreas, whom sky serene doth gender;

So from the galleys thickly pour'd the helmets brightly joyous,

With bossy bucklers, ashen spears, and stoutly-jointed corslets.

360

The blaze to heaven reach'd; the earth by brazen flashes stricken

Laugh'd all around, and underneath from feet of men was rising

Dire rumble; and in midst of them divine Achilles arm'd him.

His teeth did gnash; his eyen shone, as though with fiery sparkle:

365

His heart in grief unbearable was clad; but he, enfrenzied

Against the Troians, donn'd the gifts, which toilsome Vulcan fashion'd.

First on his shins the dapper greaves, with silver anklets clever,

He fasten'd; then, to guard his chest, enwrapt him in the corslet:

370

About his shoulders next he slung the sword with silver studded,

Brazen; but after it he took the buckler great and stubborn,

From which a moony radiance shot forth to far beholders.

As when to sailors out at sea a burning fire appeareth

375

Flaring afar; and it aloft on solitary station

Is kindled by the mountaineer: but them tornadoes carry

Far from their friends, despite their will, over the fishful ocean:

So, from Achilles' buckler, then, all gorgeous and artful,

²³

The flare to heaven shot: and he, his triplecrested helmet

380

Upraising, plac'd upon his head its load. With starry splendour

From the thick horsetail shone the casque; for, hairs of gold around it

Wav'd plenteous along the ridge by handicraft of Vulcan.

Divine Achilles thereupon would prove him in the armour,

Whether his glossy limbs had ease for movement sharp and nimble;

385

But it, as wings, did lift from earth the shepherd of the people.

Then from the flutings in his tent his father's spear he plucked,

Huge, weighty, sturdy; which not one of all Achaian chieftains

Beside might brandish: he alone, Achilles, knew to wield it:

An ash of Pelion the shaft, which, from the mountain's summit,

390

For his dear father Cheiron cut, to be the death of heroes.

Around the steeds Automedon and Alkimus were busy:

Already round their breasts was plac'd the harness; then, the bridles

Thro' their compliant jaws they pass'd, and strung the reins behind them

Unto the well-glued chariot. Automedon, assuming

395

The shining hand-adapted scourge, above the horses mounted,

And, full accoutred, Achileus came leaping up behind him,

All-radiant in panoply, like to the amber day-god.

Terrific then he shouted loud to his own father's horses:

" Chesnut and Spotted, noble pair! far-famous brood of Spry-foot!

400

In other guise now ponder ye your charioteer to rescue

Back to the troop of Danaï, when we have done with battle:

Nor leave him dead upon the field, as late ye left Patroclus."

But him the dapplefooted steed under the yoke accosted,

And droop'd his auburn head aside straightway; and thro' the yoke-strap

405

His full mane falling by the yoke unto the ground was streaming:

(Him Juno, whitearm'd goddess, now with voice of man endowed:)

"Now and again we verily will save, and more than save thee,

Dreadful Achilles! yet on thee the deadly day o'erhangeth.

Not ours the guilt; but mighty God and stubborn Fate are guilty.

410

Not by the slowness of our feet or dulness of our spirit

The Troians did thy armour strip from shoulders of Patroclus;

But the exalted god, for whom brighthair'd Latona travail'd,

Slew him amid the foremost ranks, and glory gave to Hector.

Now we, in scudding, pace would keep even with breeze of Zephyr,

415

Which speediest they say to be: but for thyself 'tis fated

By hand of hero and of god in mighty strife to perish."

So much he said: thereon, his voice was by the Furies stopped.

To him Achilles fleet of foot, responded, sore disdainful:

" Chesnut! why bodest death to me? from thee this was not needed.

420

Myself right surely know alsó, that 'tis my doom to perish,

Apart from mother and from father dear, in Troy; but never

Pause will I make of war, until the Troïans be glutted."

He spake, and yelling, held afront the singlehoofed horses.

⁴

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

in a list of passages where theōi enaligkios is used

source

Gregory Nagy

The time has come for Achilles to re-enter the war against the Trojans. For this to happen, Agamemnon must first settle with Achilles. But the over-king feels the need to say more than simply to formulate his proposed terms of settlement. His aim is to excuse himself from responsibility for dishonoring Achilles, and the story that he tells in order to achieve this aim is a retelling of a cosmic atē ‘aberration’ that resulted in the Labors of Hēraklēs. Such a retelling, however, is destined to backfire: it will result in further damage to Agamemnon’s own royal status and in further advancement for the heroic prestige of Achilles, for whom Hēraklēs now becomes a perfect model.

draft js image error Herakles at the tree of the Hesperides, holding three of the golden apples in his left hand. Behind him is the apple tree with the guardian serpent clinging around it. Bronze, 104.5cm (Roman, 1st century C.E.). Image via The British Museum.

source

The seven Aeolian women that Achilles had captured when he conquered the island of Lesbos—all of whom had originally been allotted to Agamemnon—are now re-allotted to Achilles, along with Briseis as an additional eighth woman. On the seven captive women from Lesbos, see the anchor comment at I.09.128–131 / 270–272. Once again, we see the dominantly Ionic traditions of Homeric poetry showing signs of influence from a dominantly Aeolic tradition as attested in the songs of Sappho and Alcaeus. Of special interest, with regard to such a tradition, is the emphasis here at I.19.245–246 on the expertise of the seven captive women of Lesbos in working on elaborate fabrics. The sub-text of such work, here and elsewhere, is the craft of pattern-weaving. See the comment on I.09.130.

source

In this brief speech by Achilles, he seems to be holding Zeus responsible for causing the atai ‘aberrations’ that have led to this point in the epic. See the comment on I.19.086–088. The context here at I.19.268–275 shows that Achilles has in mind not only the atai ‘aberrations’ of Agamemnon but also his own. On the atē ‘aberration’ of Achilles himself, see the comment on I.09.502–512. See also the comment on I.09.115–120: there too we see atai ‘aberrations’ in the plural.

source

The property that Agamemnon promised to give as compensation to Achilles is now being delivered for possession. This property to be possessed by Achilles includes not only material objects but also women who are awarded as objectified war-prizes. Achilles the Aeolian will now be awarded possession of the seven captive women whom he had originally captured from Aeolian Lesbos. More than that, he will now get to repossess the captive woman Briseis, whom he had originally captured from Lyrnessos and who had originally been awarded to him by the Achaeans—before Agamemnon had forcibly taken Briseis away from him at the beginning of the Iliad, thus causing the monumental dishonor that had given shape to the entire narrative arc of the epic, up to this point.

source

Achilles concedes here that the Achaeans must feast on meat before they can fight again. But Achilles refuses to join them, I.19.304–308. He craves instead to enter the bloody stoma ‘mouth’ of war itself, I.19.312–313.

source

Leonard Muellner

analysis of Achilles’ compensation as not a gift from Agamemnon but a distribution from the group

source

Homer Iliad 19.238

A. T. Murray (Translator)

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