Chapter Iachimo to Iliad of I by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Book I. opens with a pestilence in the Grecian camp, sent by the sun-god to avenge his priest Chrysês. The case is this: Chrysês wished to ransom his daughter, whom Agamemnon, the Greek commander-in- chief, kept as a concubine, but Agamemnon refused to give her up; so the priest prayed to Apollo for vengeance, and the god sent a pestilence. A council being called, Achillês upbraids. Agamemnon as the cause of the divine wrath, and Agamemnon replies he will give up the priest’s daughter, but shall take instead Achillês’s concubine. On hearing this, Achillês declares he will no longer fight for such an extortionate king, and accordingly retires to his tent and sulks there.

II. Jupiter, being induced to take the part of Achillês, now sends to Agamemnon a lying dream, which induces him to believe that he shall take the city at once; but in order to see how the soldiers are affected by the retirement of Achillês, the king calls them to a council of war, asks them if it will not be better to give up the siege and return home. He thinks the soldiers will shout “no” with one voice; but they rush to their ships, and would set sail at once if they were not restrained by those privy to the plot.

III. The soldiers, being brought back are then arrayed for battle. Paris proposes to decide the contest by single combat, and Menelaos accepts the challenge. Paris, being overthrown, is carried off by Venus, and Agamemnon demands that the Trojans shall give up Troy in fulfilment of the compact.

IV. While Agamemnon is speaking, Pandarus draws his bow at Menelaos and wounds him, and the battle becomes general.

V. Pandarus, who had violated the truce, is killed by Diomed.

VI. Hector, the general of the Trojan allied armies, recommends that the Trojan women in a body should supplicate the gods to pardon the sin of Pandarus, and in the mean time he and Paris make a sally from the city gate.

VII. Hector fights with Ajax in single combat, but the combatants are parted by the heralds, who declare it a drawn battle; so they exchange gifts and return to their respective tents.

VIII. The Grecian host, being discomfited, retreats; and Hector prepares to assault the enemy’s camp.

IX. A deputation is sent to Achillês, but the sulky hero remains obdurate.

X. A night attack is made on the Trojans by Diomed and Ulyssês;

XI. And the three Grecian chiefs (Agamemnon, Diomed, and Ulyssês) are all wounded.

XII. The Trojans force the gates of the Grecian ramparts.

XIII. A tremendous battle ensues, in which many on both sides are slain.

XIV. While Jupiter is asleep, Neptune interferes in the quarrel in behalf of the Greeks;

XV. But Jupiter rebukes him, and Apollo, taking the side of the Trojans, puts the Greeks to a complete rout. The Trojans, exulting in their success, prepare to set fire to the Grecian camp.

XVI. In this extremity, Patroclos arrays himself in Achillês’s armour, and leads the Myrmidons to the fight; but he is slain by Hector.

XVII. Achillês is told of the death of his friend;

XVIII. Resolves to return to the battle;

XIX. And is reconciled to Agamemnon.