Iliad, Homer, Book I, Lines 269-299

Translated by Samuel Butler, http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/iliad.1.i.html

This online edition was prepared by Brianne Belanger

The Iliad opens with Agamemnon, commander-in-chief of the Achaean (Greek) army whom offended the Greek god, Apollo. Apollo plagued the entire Greek army for Agamemnon's treachery and for refusing to return his war prize, Chrysies, the daughter of a priest. Agamemnon dishonored the priest and refused his ransom, thus dishonoring Apollo. Achilles, one of the Greeks most valuable warriors approaches Agamemnon and tells him to return the girl so that the plague will be lifted and the army be spared of Apollo's plagued arrows. Agamemnon is furious, but agrees that the girl should be returned to her father, but if he is to do so he wants another prize to take her place. The two men begin to argue and Achilles threatens to leave with his army. Agamemnon threatens Achilles and decides that he wants to take Briseis, Achilles war prize as his own. The men become so furious with one another that Achilles draws his sword. Achilles would have killed Agamemnon if it wasn't for Athena whom came to him and told him to drop the quarrel and not to draw his sword. Achilles listened to the goddess and holds his anger in. At this time wise advisor Nestor stands up and gives a speech in hopes of preventing a duel between Agamemnon and Achilles. The following passage consists of Nestor's speech. This passage is important because it reveals how important it is to listen to your elders and how the arrogance of two men can endanger their people. It starts off the epic and explains why Agamemnon and Achilles are feuding and why they make the decisions they do later in the epic.

"A great sorrow has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you; therefore be guided by me. Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Pirithous and Dryas shepherd of his people, or as Caeneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos, and went about among them, for they would have me come, and I fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be strong, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles; and you, Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Jove wields a sceptre has like honour with Agamemnon. You are strong, and have a goddess for your mother; but Agamemnon is stronger than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans."

Works Cited
Gill, N. S. "King Priam of Troy." About Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

"Jupiter, Mythology, Metaphysics, Astrology." Crystalinks. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

Lawall, Sarah N. "The Iliad." The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. 8th ed. Vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. 107-205. Print.

"The Iliad by Homer." The Internet Classics Archive | The Iliad by Homer. Trans. Samuel Butler. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

"THETIS 1." THETIS : Nereid Nymph, Sea-Goddess | Greek Mythology, W/ Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

Troy. Dir. Wolfgang Peterson. Screenplay by David Benioff. Perf. Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom. Agamemnon Takes Away Briseis from Achilles. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.

Wheeler, Dr. L. Kip. "Literary Vocabulary." Literary Terms and Definitions. Carson-Newman University, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2014.