Introduction:
Book IX of the "Iliad" is devoid of any actual fighting and consists almost entirely of speeches, some of them lengthy. In the first part of the book, that is the part which is preliminary to the sending of the embassy to Achilles, the leaders of the Greeks discuss what they can do to resolve the difficulties in which they are now placed. Agamemnon begins by suggesting that they may as well return home, as thanks to Zeus' betrayal they no longer have any hope of capturing Troy, a proposal which Diomedes firmly opposes with a clear statement that he at least will continue the siege. Then Nestor, the old king of Pylos, after agreeing with Diomedes, appeals to Agamemnon to coordinate a plan to address their current difficulties, and makes it clear that Agamemnon's seizure of Achilles' mistress Briseïs was a disastrous blunder, and that he should make amends to Achilles. Agamemnon them makes a long speech (ll. 115-161) in which he acknowledges the extent of his error and then offers to compensate Achilles with a list of amazingly generous gifts. Apart from a plethora of material gifts, including the usual tripods, golden ornaments, bronze cauldrons and speedy horses, he offers to return Briseïs, whom he claims he has not touched, together with six beautiful girls from Lesbos, and then indicates that he will offer Achilles one of his three daughters as a bride, and that not only will she come without a bride-price but he will offer Achilles a dowry of seven cities from the south of the Peloponnese. Nestor then applauds Agamemnon's generosity and suggests that an embassy be sent to Achilles both to entreat him to return to the fray and to set out the long list of Agamemnon's proposed gifts. Nestor then recommends that the embassy should be composed of Ajax, Odysseus, and old Phoenix, Achilles' former mentor, accompanied by two notable heralds.
The main part of the Book involves the three man embassy to Achilles. Each of them speaks to Achilles and he responds to each of them in turn, and thus the central part of Book IX consists of six speeches. In the first of these (ll. 225-306), Odysseus sets out clearly Agamemnon's proposed gifts and then indicates the chance he will have to kill Hector and the glory he will thereby win with the Greeks. Then comes Achilles' reply to Odysseus (ll. 308-429), which, full of passionate rhetoric as it is, is generally considered to be the most powerful speech in the whole of the "Iliad." In this speech Achilles sets out the reasons why he rejects Agamemnon's proposed gifts and why he refuses to return to the fight against the Trojans; instead he intends, he says, to return home. Indeed, Achilles appears to call into question the whole of the heroic code upon which his life has been based until this point. The third long speech is made by Phoenix (ll. 433-605); much of this is taken up with the mythological analogy of the story of Meleager (ll. 529-598), but it also includes the 'Parable of the Litai' (ll. 502-514). To Phoenix's moving appeal Achilles replies more briefly, but still adamant in his refusal to cooperate with Agamemnon. Then Ajax makes a shorter speech in which he points out the disproportionate position which Achilles has adopted. For Ajax, the straightforward man of action, it seems ridiculous that Achilles should be making such a fuss about one girl, when he has now been offered both her and six others in compensation. To Ajax's speech Achilles also makes a short, but largely negative, response. However, it is significant that at the end of each of his three speeches in response to the appeals of the three ambassadors Achilles does modify his position. While he tells Odysseus he will definitely be leaving in the morning, he tells Phoenix that he will decide in the morning whether he will leave or not, and he tells Ajax that he will fight if the Trojans start to attack his own ships and huts.
The Book concludes with Odysseus reporting the disappointing result of the embassy to Achilles, and the consequent dismay of the Greeks. But once again Diomedes comes to the rescue with words of encouragement.
Ll. 1-49. The panic-stricken Greeks meet in assembly. Agamemnon tells them he has been betrayed by Zeus and urges that they all return home, but Diomedes strongly believes they should stay until Troy is sacked.
So the Trojans kept their watch; but a wondrous panic, the handmaid of chilling flight, seized hold of the Achaeans, and all their leading men were stricken with unbearable sorrow. (It was) like when two winds suddenly arrive and stir up the teeming deep, the north wind and the west wind that blow from Thrace; and at the same time the dark waves swell up into a crest, and cast much seaweed along the seashore; so were the hearts of the Achaeans rent within their breasts.
The son of Atreus (i.e. Agamemnon), stricken to the heart with deep anguish, went up and down telling his clear-voiced heralds to summon each man by name to an assembly and not to shout (i.e. so that the Trojans shouldn't hear); and he himself toiled amid the foremost. And so they sat sorely troubled in the place of assembly; then, Agamemnon got up (to speak), with tears pouring (down his cheeks) like a spring of black water, which trickles its murky waters down the sheer (face) of a rock; so, groaning deeply, he spoke these words to the Argives: "O my friends, leaders and rulers of the Argives, Zeus, the son of Cronos, has entangled me deeply in a grievous delusion, cruel (god that he is) who recently promised me, and nodded his head in confirmation, that I would (only) depart after I had sacked strongly-walled Ilium, but now he has contrived a wicked deception, and is telling me to go back home to Argos in dishonour, since I have lost (so) many of my people. So I suppose this must be pleasing to almighty Zeus , (he) who has shattered the crowning (battlements) of (so) many cities, and will break still more; for his power is the greatest. But come, let us all do as I say: let us go back with our ships to our native land; for we shall never take broad-paved Troy."
So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence. And for a long while the sons of the Achaeans were speechless and dispirited; but then finally Diomedes, good at the war-cry, spoke out: "First of all, son of Atreus, I will take issue with you in your folly, (something) which, my lord, is accepted practice in this assembly; so you must not be at all angry (about that). You previously cast aspersions on my courage among the Danaans, saying that I was a coward and a weakling; and all of the Argives, both young and old know this. But the son of crooked-thinking Cronos endowed you with one of two (gifts): he gave you the sceptre, so that you might be honoured beyond all (men), but he did not give you courage, which is the greatest (source of) power, You strange (fellow), do you really think that the sons of the Achaeans are such cowards and weaklings as you say (they are)? But, if your own heart is eager to return, (then) go; the way (is) open to you, and your ships are standing (there) by the sea, those many ships that followed you from Mycenae. But all the other long-haired Achaeans will remain here until we sack Troy. But, if they too (wish to flee), (then) let them flee with their ships to their native land; but we two, Sthenelus and I, will fight on until we win the goal of Ilium; for we came (here) in the company of a god."
Ll. 50-88. After the Greeks applaud Diomedes for his words, Nestor gets up to speak. He also thanks Diomedes for his good advice, and then suggests that Agamemnon should provide the elders in his army with a feast, while the young men should guard the camp. A group of such sentinels then goes forth.
So he spoke, and all the sons of the Achaeans cheered in admiration of the speech of Diomedes, tamer of horses. Then, the horsemen Nestor got up and spoke to them: "Son of Tydeus, in battle you are exceedingly powerful, and in counsel too you have become the best of those of your own age. Not one of all the Achaeans will find fault with your words, nor will he contradict (them); but you have not come to the conclusion of your speech. Indeed, you are but young, and you might also be my son, the youngest of my offspring; yet, you address the kings of the Argives with good sense, since (what) you said (is) right. But come, let me speak (further), and I, who claims to be older than you, will cover everything; neither shall any (man) scorn my words, (no), not even lord Agamemnon. Clanless, lawless and hearthless is the man who longs for the horrors of civil strife (i.e. the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon). But surely now at the present time let us give way to dark night and prepare our supper; and let sentinels encamp outside the wall, each one beside the ditch (that has been) dug. Now to the young men do I give these instructions; but then you, son of Atreus, should take the lead; for you are the greatest king. Give a feast for the elders; (it is) right and not unseemly for you (to do so). Your huts (are) full of wine, which the ships of the Achaeans bring every day over the broad sea from Thrace; all hospitality depends on you, as you are the king of many. But, when many are gathered together, you will follow that (man) who shall propose the best plan; now (have) all the Achaeans sore need of (a plan that is) good and wise, because our enemies are burning fires right by our ships; who could take pleasure in this? And this night will utterly destroy or save our army."
So he spoke, and they thoroughly hearkened to his (words) and obeyed (him). Then the sentinels in their armour hastened forth under Nestor's son, Thrasymedes, the shepherd of the host, and under Ascalaphus and Ialmenus, the sons of Ares, and under Meriones, and Aphareus and Deïpyrus, and under the noble Lycomedes, son of Creon. There were seven captains of the sentinels, and with each (of them) marched a hundred young men, bearing long spears in their hands; and they went and sat down in position midway between the ditch and the wall; and there they kindled a fire and each (man) prepared his supper.
Ll. 89-113. While Agamemnon entertains the Achaean elders to a feast, Nestor seeks to persuade him to make amends to Achilles concerning his seizure of Briseïs.
Then, the son of Atreus led the elders of the Achaeans as a body into his hut, and placed before them a feast to satisfy their hearts. And they put forth their hands to the food lying ready before (them). But, when they had satisfied their desire for food and drink, the elderly Nestor began first of all to weave (the web of) his thoughts before them - (he it was) whose advice had seemed best on previous occasions. He addressed them with the best of intentions, and spoke these words among (them): "Agamemnon, son of Atreus, most glorious king of men, with you I shall begin (my speech), and with you I shall end (it), as you are king of many peoples, and to you has Zeus entrusted the sceptre and the courts of law, so you can take decisions on their behalf. Therefore, you, most of all, should make speeches and listen to them, and also fulfil (the resolutions) of someone else, whenever his spirit enjoins him to speak for the (common) good; and, whatever he proposes, (its execution) will depend on you. So shall I say what seems to me best. For no one else shall have a better thought than the one which I have long thought and still (do) even now, ever since the (time) when you, Zeus-born (one), went and took the maid Briseïs from the hut of the angry Achilles, not at all with our approval; for I very earnestly tried to dissuade you; but you gave way to your proud-hearted spirit and brought dishonour upon the bravest of men, whom even the immortals honour, for you took and kept his prize; but let us still even now consider how we can appease him and win (him) over with kindly gifts and soothing words."
Ll. 114-161. Agamemnon acknowledges that he has erred in his treatment of Achilles. By way of reparation, he offers to give Achilles many splendid gifts, including the return of . If Achilles yields and returns to the fray, on their return to Greece after the fall of Troy, he will give him one of his daughters in marriage, and also seven Peloponnesian cities.
Then, Agamemnon, king of men, spoke to him in reply: "O old sire, in no way have you given a false account of my acts of folly; I went astray, and I myself do not deny (it). A man whom Zeus loves in his heart is now worth many hosts (of men), just as even now Zeus has rewarded this man (i.e. Hector), and he has crushed the host of the Achaeans. But, since I was blinded and yielded to my wretched heart, I am willing to make amends and to offer a limitless ransom. Let me name among you all the glorious gifts (I shall give him) - seven tripods untouched by fire, ten talents of gold, twenty gleaming cauldrons, and twelve strong victorious horses, that have win prizes through their speed. A man would not be in want of possessions or short of precious gold who owned all those trophies which my uncloven horses having won (for me). I will give (him) seven women from Lesbos (i.e. an island in the eastern Aegean) skilled in excellent handiwork, whom, when he himself captured well-built Lesbos, I chose, as they surpassed the (whole) company of women in their beauty; These (things) will I give him, and with (them) will be the daughter of Briseus; and I shall swear a great oath that I never mounted her bed and slept (with her), which is the custom of mankind, (both) men and women. All these things will be his straightaway; then, if later the gods should grant that we sack Priam's great city, when the Achaeans are dividing up the spoil, he will come and load up his ship with gold and bronze in heaps, and he may choose for himself twenty Trojan women, who shall be the most beautiful after Argive Helen. And, if we should reach the most fertile soil of Achaean Argos (i.e. the Peloponnese), he may become my son-in-law; and I will honour him equally as much as Orestes, who, (as) my beloved young son is growing up (there) amid great abundance. Now, I have three daughters in my well-built mansion, Chrysothemis, and Laodicea, and Iphianassa (n.b. if this is a variant of the name Iphigeneia, Homer seems unaware of her sacrifice at Aulis before the Greeks had set sail; in addition, the absence of Electra from this list is surprising); he may take whichever one of these he wishes to Peleus' house (as) his (wife) without any bride-price; and I will give (him) a very large dowry, such as no man has ever yet given with his daughter. And I will give him seven well-inhabited cities, Cardomyle and Enope, and grassy Hire, and hallowed Pherae and Anthea, rich in meadows, and lovely Aepea, and vine-clad Pedasus (n.b. all these cities are on, or around, the Gulf of Messinia and the south-central coast of the Peloponnese, and are just to the east of Nestor's kingdom of Pylos; this is strange as they are far from Agamemnon's kingdom of Mycenae in the north-east of the Peloponnese, and it is unclear how Agamemnon was in a position to dispose of them). And in (them) live men rich in flocks (and) rich in cattle, who will honour him with gifts like a god, and fulfil rich ordinances (i.e. they will live in prosperity) under his sceptre. (All) these (things) will I do for him, if he ceases from his anger. Let him give way - in truth, (only) Hades is so harsh and inexorable, and for this reason he is the most hated of all the gods among men - and let him submit to me, as I am the greater king, and as I can claim to be his elder in age."
Ll. 162-204. Nestor commends Agamemnon's proposed gifts, and then proposes that a delegation, led by Phoenix and including Ajax and Odysseus, should be sent to Achilles to seek to persuade him to re-enter the fray. When they arrive at Achilles' hut, they hear him playing the lyre, but he then leaps up to welcome them.
Then, the Gerenian horseman Nestor answered him (thus): "Most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, the gifts you offer the lord Achillles (are) not at all to be scorned; but come, let us prompt some picked (men), and they will go quickly to the hut of Achilles, son of Peleus. But come now, let the ones, to whom I choose to entrust this task, accept (it). In the first place, Phoenix (i.e. the tutor of Achilles), beloved of Zeus, and then huge Ajax and godlike Odysseus. And let the heralds accompanying (them be) Odios and Eurybates. Bring water for our hands and observe a holy silence, so that we can pray to Zeus, the son of Cronos, and beseech him to have mercy (on us)."
So he said, and he spoke words (that were) pleasing to all of them. At once, the heralds poured water on their hands, and the young men filled the mixing bowls to the brim with wine and dispensed fresh helpings into all their cups. Then, when they had made their libations, and had drunk what their hearts desired, they set out from the hut of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. And the Gerenian horseman Nestor gave them many instructions, fixing his eye on each one (of them), and, especially, on Odysseus, to ensure they would make every effort to win over the excellent son of Peleus.
And so they went along the shore of the loud-sounding sea, praying most earnestly to the encircler and shaker of the earth (i.e. Poseidon) that they might easily win over the great heart of the descendant of Aeacus (i.e. Achilles; Aeacus was Achilles' grandfather and Peleus' father). They came to the huts and the ships of the Myrmidons (i.e. the inhabitants of Phthia), and found him (i.e. Achilles) giving pleasure to his heart with his clear-toned lyre, a finely wrought (instrument), and on (it) there was a silver cross-piece (i.e. this joined the two horns of the lyre, and the strings were attached to it); he had won it from the spoils, when he sacked the city of Eëtion (i.e. Thebe in Mysia; Eëtion, whom Achilles had killed, was the father of Hector's wife, Andromache); he was delighting his heart with it and was singing of the glorious (deeds) of men. Patroclus sat alone in silence opposite him, waiting for when the descendant of Aeacus would end his song. They walked on further, and godlike Odysseus was leading, and stopped in front of him; in his astonishment, Achilles leapt up, leaving the seat on which he was sitting, (but still) holding his lyre. And then Patroclus stood up likewise when he saw (who) the men (were). And swift-footed Achilles greeted them and said, "Welcome! So you have come, my dear friends. So (there is) great need (of me); even in my anger you are (to me) the dearest of the Achaeans."
So speaking, godlike Achilles led (them) inside, and sat them down on chairs with purple rugs (spread over them); and at once he spoke to Patroclus, who was nearby: "Set up a larger mixing-bowl, son of Menoetius, and mix stronger wine, and provide a cup for each (of them); for these (are) the dearest men who have come under my roof."
Ll. 205-243. Achilles treats his three visitors to a splendid feast, during which Odysseus asks for Achilles' help to avoid the catastrophe which is now threatening the Greek forces.
So he spoke, and Patroclus obeyed his dear companion. Then, he laid down a large meat-tray in the light of the fire, and on it he placed the backs of a sheep and of a chubby goat, and the chine of a fat hog, rich in lard. Automedon (i.e. a friend and charioteer of Achilles and Patroclus) held (it) for him, and godlike Achilles cut (it) into joints. Then, he sliced them up into pieces and stuck (these) on spits, and the son of Menoetius, a man like the gods, stoked the fire into a great blaze. Then, when the fire had died down and the flames had been extinguished, he spread the embers and extended the spits above them, and rested them on their support blocks and sprinkled (the meat) with holy salt. So, when he had roasted (it) and heaped (it) up on to the dressers, then Patroclus took bread and placed (it) on the table in fine wicker-baskets, and Achilles served the meat. Then, he sat down by the opposite wall facing godlike Odysseus, and told his companion Patroclus to offer sacrifice to the gods; and he threw the sacrificial offerings into the fire. Then, they put forth their hands to the food set out ready before (them). Then, when they had satisfied their desire for eating and drinking, Ajax nodded to Phoenix (i.e. to get him to speak). But godlike Odysseus noticed (this), and filled his cup with wine and drank a toast to Achilles: "Good health (to you), Achilles; we have not been lacking in our share of feasting, both in the hut of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, and now here (with you) too; for you place food in abundance beside us (which is) pleasing to the taste; but the trappings of a lovely feast are not our concern, but rather, (O you who are) cherished by Zeus, we are facing a great disaster; (it is) in doubt (whether) we can save our well-benched ships, or whether we shall see (them) destroyed, if you do not don your mighty (armour). For the daring Trojans and their far-famed allies have pitched their tents right beside our ships and wall, and have lit countless fires throughout their army, and they think they will no longer be held back, but that they will hurl themselves upon our black ships. Now, Zeus, the son of Cronos, is showing them (favourable) omens, as (lightning) flashes on the right-hand side of the sky; and Hector is exulting greatly in his strength, and is raging fearfully, trusting in Zeus, and with no regard at all for men or gods; and a mighty frenzy has come upon him. He is praying for holy dawn to come quickly; for he threatens to hew off the poop-ends of our ships and to set them alight with a mighty fire, and to cut down beside them the Achaeans thrown into confusion by the smoke.
Ll. 244-285. Odysseus warns Achilles that he will live to regret it, if he does not intervene to save the Greeks from Hector. He reminds Achilles of the advice of his father Peleus that he should maintain friendly relations with other Greek princes, and then begins to list the many gifts that Agamemnon has promised him if he relents from his anger.
"I have this dreadful fear in my heart that the gods may see his threats fulfilled, and, in that case, our fate would be to perish (here) at Troy, far from cattle-rich Argos. Up then, if you wish, late though (it is), to save the sons of the Achaeans from the clamour of the Trojans. (Or) afterwards you will feel pain yourself, and there will be no means to find a remedy, once the harm has been done; no, long before (that) you must devise a plan to ward off the evil day from the Danaans. O my friend, assuredly did your father Peleus give you these instructions on the day when he sent you from Phthia to (join) Agamemnon: 'My child, Athene and Hera will give you strength, if such is their wish, but you must restrain that passionate spirit in your breast; for friendliness (is) a better (thing); you should abandon any mischievous strife, in order that the Argives, both young and old, should honour you all the more.' So the old man advised you, but you are (in danger of) forgetting (it). But still even now (please) stop, and let go of that bitter anger that (so) grieves your heart. And Agamemnon is offering you worthy gifts, if you cease from your anger. But come, do listen to me, while I shall list for you all the gifts in his huts which Agamemnon has promised (to give) you - seven tripods untouched by fire, and ten talents of gold, and twenty gleaming cauldrons, and twelve strong victorious horses, which have won prizes by their speed. A man would not be in want of possessions or short of precious gold who owned all those trophies which Agamemnon's horses have won by their speed. And he will give (you) seven women from Lesbos, skilled in excellent handiwork, whom, when you yourself captured well-built Lesbos, he chose, as they then surpassed the (whole) company of women in their beauty; these (things) will he give you, and with (them) will be the daughter of Briseus; and he will swear a great oath that he never mounted her bed and slept with her, which is the custom, lord, of men and women. All these (things) will be yours straightaway; then, if later the gods should grant that we sack Priam's great city, when we Achaeans are dividing up the spoil (between us), you may come and load up your ship with gold and bronze in heaps, and you may choose for yourself twenty Trojan women, who shall be the most beautiful after Argive Helen. And, if we should reach the most fertile soil of Achaean Argos, you may become his son-in-law; and he will honour you as much as Orestes, who, (as) his beloved young son is growing up (there) amid great abundance.
Ll. 286-327. Odysseus completes the list of gifts with the offer of one of Agamemnon's daughters for his wife, and a dowry of seven cities. However, as he begins to respond, Achilles indicates that he is not going to be won over by Agamemnon's offers, and he says that he has gained next to nothing from all his martial efforts thus far.
Now, he has three daughters in his well-built mansion, Chrysothemis, and Laodice, and Iphianassa; you may take whichever (one) of these you wish to Peleus' house (as) your (wife) without any bride-price; and, furthermore, he will give (you) a very large dowry, such as no man has ever yet given with his daughter. And he will give you seven well-inhabited cities, Cardomyle and Enope, and grassy Hire, and hallowed Pherae and Anthea, rich in meadows, and lovely Aepea, and vine-clad Pedasus. All (of these are) near the sea, on the borders of sandy Pylos; and in (them) live men rich in flocks (and) rich in cattle, who will honour you with gifts like a god, and will fulfil rich ordinances (i.e. they will live in prosperity) under your sceptre. (All) these (things) will he do for you, if you cease from your anger. But, if the son of Atreus has become so hated in your heart, (both the man) himself, and his gifts, then you should still take pity on all the other Achaeans throughout the army, suffering (so) grievously (as they are), and they will honour you like a god, for you could assuredly win very great glory in their (eyes). For now you could kill Hector, since he might come very close to you in his deadly rage, since he thinks there is no one who can match him among the Danaans whom our ships have brought here."
Then, swift-footed Achilles addressed him (thus) in reply: "Zeus-born son of Laërtes, ever-resourceful Odysseus, I must speak out bluntly, regardless of the consequences, and tell you what I think and what will come to pass, so you do not sit here and coo at me one after another. For that (man) is as hateful to as the gates of Hades who conceals one (thing) in his mind and says something else; but I will say what seems to me to be best: I do not think that Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, nor the rest of the Danaans, will win me over, since it now appears that there is no gratitude, if a man fights unceasingly against enemy warriors all the time. However hard a man may fight, his share will remain the same (as the others); both coward and hero are esteemed alike; the man who (is) idle and the (man) who works hard (both) die alike. Nor, since I have suffered these pains in my heart, is there any advantage to me in fighting on and constantly risking my life. Like a bird presents a morsel (of food) to her unfledged nestlings, seeing that she keeps tight hold (of it) and there is no benefit to herself, so have I also passed many sleepless nights and endured (many) bloody days of battle, fighting with men over their wives.
Ll. 328-373. Achilles compares his own successes in capturing cities with Agamemnon's personal inaction, and he says that Agamemnon kept most of the treasures Achilles handed over to him for himself. He claims that Agamemnon has treated him less generously than the other Greek leaders and is particularly bitter that he robbed him of his prize of honour, the girl Briseïs. He questions the validity of the whole Trojan expedition and considers Agamemnon's theft of Briseïs to be on a par with the theft of Helen. Not only has he no intention of assisting the Greeks to resist the Trojan attacks, but he states that tomorrow he and the Myrmidons will be sailing home to Greece.
"I have sacked twelve cities of men with my ships, and I claim (to have sacked) eleven (more) by land across the fertile Troad; from all of these I took many fine treasures, and I used to bring (them) all and give (them) to Agamemnon, son of Atreus; and, having stayed behind beside his swift ships, he took (them) and shared out a few, but kept the majority for himself. But all the other prizes he gave to the leading men and the kings; these he stored in a safe place, but me alone of the Achaeans he has robbed (of my prize), and he now has the wife I loved (i.e. Briseïs): let him sleep with her, and take his pleasure! Why must the Argives fight with the Trojans? Why did the son of Atreus raise an army and bring (it) here? Was it not on account of fair-haired Helen? Do the sons of Atreus (i.e. Agamemnon and Menelaus), alone of all human beings, love their wives? No, for any man who is good and sensible loves his own wife and cares for her, as I also love this (girl) from (the bottom of) my heart, though she was won by the spear. Now, since he has taken the prize from my hands and has cheated me, let him not try me, for I know (him too) well; he will not persuade me. No, Odysseus, let him consider, with you and the other kings, how to keep the enemy's fire away from our ships. He has certainly laboured very hard in my absence, and has built a wall and ran a ditch, (both) deep and wide, in front of it, and has fixed stakes in (it). But even so, he cannot withstand the might of manslaying Hector. Yet, as long as I was fighting with the Achaeans, Hector was unwilling to move the battle away from the wall, but would (only) come out as far as the Scaean gates and the oak-tree. There he once waited for me on my own, and he barely escaped my assault. But now, since I do not wish to fight with godlike Hector, tomorrow I shall make sacrifices to Zeus and all the (other) gods, I shall fully load up my ships, (and), when I drag (them) down to the sea, you will see, if you wish and if you have the mind for it so early in the morning, my ships sailing on the teeming Hellespont, and the men in (them) eagerly rowing; and if the glorious earthshaker (i.e. Poseidon) shall grant (us) a fair voyage, I shall reach fertile Phthia in three days. I have much wealth, which I left behind when I came here so unluckily; and I shall take from here more gold and red bronze, and the well-girded women and the grey iron which I obtained by lot; but my prize of honour, which indeed he gave (me), the lord Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has taken it back again in order to insult (me). Tell him everything that I am saying, (and) openly, so that the rest of the Achaeans can be indignant too, if he is still perhaps hoping to thoroughly deceive some other Danaan, ever clad in shamelessness (as he is). Yet, dog that he is, he would not dare to look me in the face;
Ll. 374-416. Achilles expresses in the strongest possible language his absolute refusal to work with Agamemnon ever again, or to marry one of his daughters. In any case, he makes it clear that he wishes to marry a girl from his own native land, to which he longs to return. He then tells of the choice, which according to his mother, he is confronted: either short life and fame at Troy, or long life and obscurity in Phthia.
"I will not, in any way, work with him, in planning or in action, for he has utterly cheated me and wronged (me); he will not cheat me yet again with his words; (he has had) quite enough (of them). No, let him go to hell undisturbed! For Zeus the counsellor has robbed (him) of his wits. His gifts (are) hateful to me; I have as much respect for him as for a scraping of wood. Not even if he were to offer me ten times or twenty times as much as he now possesses, and, even if it were to come from somewhere else, not even all the riches that pour into Orchomenos (i.e. the city of the Minyans in Boeotia), or Egyptian Thebes, where great amounts of treasure are piled up in houses, and there are a hundred gates, and through each one two hundred men go out with their horses and chariots; not even if he were to offer me (gifts) as numerous as (grains of) sand or (particles of) dust, not even then could Agamemnon persuade (me to change) my mind, (no, not) until he pays me the full (penalty) for his grievous outrage. I will not marry a daughter of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, not even if she rivals golden Aphrodite in her beauty and she vies with bright-eyed Athene in her accomplishments; (no,) not even then will I marry her; let him choose another of the Achaeans, someone like himself and who is more kingly (than I). For, if the gods preserve me and I reach home, then Peleus himself will surely get me a wife. There are many Achaean women across Hellas and Phthia (i.e. both districts of southern Thessaly and within the kingdom of Peleus), daughters of leading men and (of men) who are rulers of cities; whichever one of these I want, I shall make (her) my dear wife. My manly spirit has very much desired that I should marry a wedded wife, a suitable spouse, over there, and that I should enjoy the possessions which the old man Peleus has acquired; for all the (riches) which they say the well-inhabited city of Ilium formerly used to possess in the time of peace before the coming of the sons of the Achaeans, or all the (treasures) which the stone threshold encloses within the temple of the archer Phoebus Apollo in rocky Pytho (i.e. the later Delphi), are not worth as much to me as my life. For cattle and sturdy sheep (can be) carried off (as booty) and tripods and chestnut mares by the head can be won, but a man's spirit can neither be borne away nor caught when once it gets past the barrier of his teeth. For my mother, the silver-footed goddess Thetis, says that a two-fold fate will bear me towards the doom of death. If I remain and keep fighting around the city of the Trojans, then my home-coming is lost, but my glory will be endless; but if I go home to my dear native land, then is my great glory lost, but my life will endure for a long time, nor shall the doom of death quickly come upon me.
Ll. 417-452. Achilles ends his long speech with the advice that his delegation return to the Greeks with a recommendation that they should all sail home, as Zeus will not allow Troy to fall. He indicates that he is happy to take Phoenix home with him if he wishes, and Phoenix makes it clear that he does not wish to be parted from his ward Achilles.
"Yes, and I would advise the rest (of you) to sail back to your homes, since (there is) no longer (any hope that) you will achieve your goal of (taking) lofty Ilium, for far-seeing Zeus has firmly held his hand over her, and her people have been full of courage. So, you should go to the leaders of the Achaeans and make plain this message: for it is the privilege of the elders to devise in their minds some other plan (that is) better (than this one), (one) that shall save their ships and the host of the Achaeans beside the hollow ships, seeing that this (plan) which they have now devised at the time of my anger (is) not going to work; but let Phoenix stay here with us and get some sleep, so that tomorrow he may follow me, if he wishes, on my ships to our dear native land; but in no way shall I take him by force."
So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence, astounded at his words; for he had spoken so forcefully in his refusal; but then finally the old charioteer Phoenix spoke out, as he burst into tears; for he was very much afraid for the ships of the Achaeans: "If then you are really planning in your mind to return home, glorious Achilles, and you are wholly unwilling to keep the destructive fire away from our swift ships, since anger has overcome your heart, how then could I be left here alone without you, dear child? That old charioteer Peleus sent me to you on the day when he sent you from Phthia to Agamemnon, a (mere) child, not yet familiar with levelling war, or with the debates (in assemblies) where men win distinction. For this reason he sent me to teach (you) all these (things), (how) to be a speaker of words and a doer of deeds. So then, dear child, I should not wish to be left without you, (no,) not even if a god himself should promise to slough off my old age and make (me) young and vigorous, such as (I was) when I first left Hellas, (the land) of lovely women, as I fled from the fury of my father Amyntor, son of Ormenus, who was angry with me on account of his fair-haired concubine, to whom he was making love, while scorning his wife, my mother; she constantly begged me on her knees to seduce the concubine. so she should hate the old man.
Ll. 453-491. After a violent quarrel with his father Phoenix left his home in Hellas and went to Phthia where he was treated like a son by its king Peleus, whose son Achilles he took care of.
"I obeyed her, and did (what she asked of me); and my father was immediately aware (of it) and cursed (me) violently, and called on the hateful Erinyes (i.e. the Furies) (to ensure) that no dear son begotten of me should ever sit upon his knees; and the gods fulfilled his curses, both the Zeus beneath the earth (i.e. Hades) and dread Persephone. I resolved to slay him with my sharp bronze; but one of the immortals restrained my fury, and he put in my mind (all) the talk of people and the deep reproaches of mankind, so that I should not be called a parricide among the Achaeans. Then the heart in my breast could no longer be constrained in any way to dwell in the halls of my angry father. Yet my clansmen and cousins, who lived nearby, begged (me) earnestly to stay in those halls, and they slaughtered many sturdy sheep and shambling cattle with crumpled horns, and many hogs rich in fat were laid out across the flames of Hephaestus (i.e. the god of fire) and roasted, and much wine was drunk from the old man's jars. For nine nights they spent the nights close beside me. They kept watch in turns, nor did the fire ever die, neither the one under the colonnade of the well-fenced courtyard, nor the other (one) in the hallway before the doors of my bed-chamber. But, when the tenth dark night came upon me, then I burst (open) the close-fitting doors of my bedroom and came out, and I leapt over the courtyard fence with ease, avoiding the notice of the men on guard or the servant women. Then I fled far away across spacious Hellas and came to very fertile Phthia, the mother of flocks, (and) to king Peleus; and he welcomed me gladly, and loved me just like a father loves his only well-beloved son, the heir to his many possessions, and he made me rich and he made me the leader of many people; and I dwelt on the boundary of Phthia, ruling the Dolopes (i.e. an inland tribe who lived on the western boundary of Phthia). And I made you what you are, godlike Achilles, loving (you) from my heart, for you were not willing to go with another to the feast or to eat in the hall, until I had sat you on my knees and fed (you) with (a morsel) of savoury food, after I had carved (you) the first slice and held a wine (cup to your lips). Often did you wet the tunic on my breast, as you spat out (some) of the wine in your sorry (state of) helplessness.
Ll. 492-537. Phoenix tries to persuade Achilles that he needs to accept Agamemnon's apologies.
"So have I suffered very many troubles and laboured hard on your behalf, (ever) mindful of the (fact) that the gods were definitely not going to grant me a son of my own; but I made you my son, godlike Achilles, so that in time you might save me from shameful ruin. But, Achilles, you must subdue your proud spirit; there is absolutely no need for you to have such a remorseless heart; even the gods themselves can bend, despite their being greater than us in excellence, honour and strength. Yet, men turn aside their (anger) with sacrifices and humble prayers, and (by) beseeching their forgiveness with poured and burnt (offerings), whenever a man has transgressed and erred. For the Prayers are the daughters of great Zeus, lame and wrinkled and squint-eyed, and they are minded to come in the footsteps of Ate (i.e. Sin or Folly). But Ate (is) strong and swift of foot, and therefore she outstrips all the Prayers by far, and acts first to harm men in every land; and the Prayers come along way behind in the healing process. Whoever shows respect to the daughters of Zeus as they come nearer (i.e. accepts apologies when they are offered), him they greatly benefit and answer his prayers; but whoever spurns and stubbornly rejects (them), they go to Zeus, the son of Cronos, and pray that Ate may overtake him, so that he should pay a painful penalty. But you too, Achilles, should ensure that respect which affects the minds of men, however noble, attends the daughters of Zeus (i.e. they yield to the Prayers). For, if the son of Atreus were not bringing (you) gifts and naming others to follow, but were maintaining his violent resentment, I would not be urging you to abandon your wrath and fight for the Argives, sore in need though they are. But now he is offering many gifts at once and is promising others hereafter, and he has chosen the best men in the Achaean host, (the men) who (are) dearest to you among the Achaeans, and has sent (them) forth to entreat (you); do not scorn their words or their journey (here); though before this you could not be blamed at all for your anger. So we have heard stories of the heroic men of old, whenever a violent fury came upon one; they were both amenable to gifts and could be won over by words. I remember this deed of long ago, no recent (thing) at all, just as it was; and I will tell (it) among you (who are) all my friends. The Curetes and the Aetolians, staunch in battle, were fighting around the city of Calydon (i..e. a city in Aetolia) and were killing one another, the Aetolians defending lovely Calydon and the Curetes being intent on destroying (it) in warfare. For Artemis of the golden throne had sent a plague upon them in her anger that Oeneus (i.e. the king of Calydon) had not made her an offering of the first fruits of the crop of his orchard; the other gods were feasting on their hecatombs, but Oeneus had not offered a sacrifice to the daughter of mighty Zeus. It had either escaped his notice, or it was not his intention (to do so); but in his heart he had made a dreadful blunder.
Ll. 538-580. Phoenix employs the analogy of the story of Meleager as a means of demonstrating to Achilles the likely consequences of his refusal to bend.
"Then in her wrath the archer (goddess), the child of Zeus sent against him a fierce wild boar with white tusks which kept on doing great damage to Oeneus' orchards. And he uprooted and cast to the ground many tall trees together with their roots and apple blossoms. But Oeneus' son Meleager slew the (boar), after he had gathered together huntsmen and hounds from many cities; for it could not have been overcome by a few men. (For) so huge was it, and it had set many (men) on the grievous pyre. Now she (i.e. Artemis) raised a great hue and cry over its (body), over the boar's head and its shaggy hide, and between the Curetes and the great-hearted Aetolians. Now, as long as the warrior Meleager kept fighting, so things went badly for the Curetes, nor could they remain outside their walls, even though there were many (of them); but, when anger came over Meleager, (that anger) which causes the heart to swell also in the breast of others, even (men) of good sense, then with his heart full of fury against his dear mother Althaea, he began to lie beside his wedded wife, the beautiful Cleopatra, the beautiful daughter of Marpessa, the lovely-ankled daughter of Evenus, and of Idas, who was the strongest of the men living upon the earth at that time; he (i.e. Idas) even took up his bow in a contest with the lord Phoebus Apollo on account of the maid. Now, in their home her father and her queenly mother once used to call her by the significant name of Alcyone, because her mother shared the fate of the sorrowing halcyon (i.e. kingfisher) and wept (because) the Far-Shooter Phoebus Apollo had snatched her (i.e. Cleopatra/ Alcyone) up. He lay down beside her, brooding on his bitter anger, made furious by the curses of his mother in her anguish at the killing of her brother (i.e. Plexippus, slain by his nephew Meleager in a quarrel over the corpse of the Calydonian Boar, which Melaeger had awarded to the maid Atalanta), and, as she rested on her knees, she beat hard on the the very fertile ground with her fists, and her lap was soaked in tears as she called upon Hades and dread Persephone to bring death upon her son. and the Erinys (i.e. one of the Furies) that walks in the darkness and has a pitiless heart heard her from Erebus (i.e. the Underworld). And soon the clamour and din of the (Curetes) arose around their gates, as their walls were under attack. Then, the elders of the Aetolians began to entreat him (i.e. Meleager), and they sent their best priests of the gods (to beg him) to come out and help (them), and they promised (him) great gifts: where the plain of lovely Calydon was at its richest, there they bade him choose a very beautiful tract of land, fifty acres (in extent), half of it vineyard, and half open ploughland cut from the plain.
Ll. 581-619. Phoenix finishes his long speech by showing how Meleager is eventually prevailed upon by his wife to save the Aetolians, and he exhorts Achilles to come to the aid of the Greeks in return for the gifts bring offered him. In his reply, however, Achilles remains largely implacable.
"Many times the old horseman Oeneus begged him, as he stood on the threshold of his high-roofed bed-chamber, shaking the tightly-shut doors as he entreated his son; and many times did his sisters and his queenly mother entreat him; but he refused (them) all the more; and so many times (did) his companions, who were to him the truest and dearest of all; yet not even so could they influence the heart in his breast, until (the moment) when his own inner chamber was being heavily battered, and the Curetes were climbing over the walls and trying to set fire to the great city. Then did his well-girded wife tearfully entreat Meleager, and she told him about all the terrible things that befall people when their city is captured: the men are slaughtered, and fire utterly destroys the city, and other (men) carry off the children and the deep-girded women. Then was his heart stirred as he listened to these dreadful deeds, and he went out and clothed his body in gleaming armour. Thus, yielding to his heart, did he ward off the evil day from the Aetolians; and they never awarded him many lovely gifts, but even so he warded off the evil. But, my dear (friend) (i.e. Achilles), do not think such things (as these), nor let the gods turn you in that direction; it would be worse (for you) to come to the defence of the ships when they are burning; but do come while there are (still) gifts to be had; for the Achaeans will honour you like a god. But, if you plunge into man-destroying battle without gifts, then you will not be equally honoured, even if you do ward off the battle (from them)."
Then, swift-footed Achilles spoke to him in reply: "Phoenix, my old father, beloved of Zeus, I have no need of any such honour; I believe I am honoured by the dispensation of Zeus, which will remain with me beside my beaked ships, so long as the breath remains in my breast and my knees have raised me up. But let me tell you something else, and do you keep it in your mind, do not confound my heart with your lamentations and sorrowings, while showing favour to the heroic son of Atreus; nor should you feel any love for him, so that you do not incur my hatred, loving (you as I do). (It is) right for you to join me in hurting any man who injures me; rule with me (as) an equal and take your half of my (royal) honour. These (two) (i.e. Ajax and Odysseus) can take back my message, but you should remain here (with me) and lie on a soft bed; and, when dawn appears, we shall consider whether to return to our own (land) or remain (here)."
Ll. 620-668. After Phoenix has finished speaking, Ajax also seeks to persuade Achilles to come to the assistance of the Greeks, but Achilles remains adamant that he will not resist Hector unless he starts to attack the Myrmidons. Ajax and Odysseus then leave, and Achilles, Patroclus and Phoenix bed down for the night.
(So) he spoke, and silently signalled with his eye-brows to Patroclus to make up a thick bed for Phoenix, so that (the others) might think of leaving his hut soon; then, Ajax, the godlike son of Telamon, spoke these words in their midst; "Zeus-born son of Laërtes, Odysseus, (man) of many wiles, let us go; for it does not seem to me that the fulfilment of our mission will be accomplished on this journey; and we must report the news, bad though it is, as soon as possible to the Danaans, who are doubtless now sitting (there) waiting for (it). But Achilles, implacable (as he is), has made the proud heart in his breast a savage (one), nor does he have any regard for the love of his companions, with which we honoured him far above (all) the others beside the ships; pitiless (he is), and yet a man accepts blood-money from the killer of his brother or of his own slain son; and the (killer) remains on his land, after paying a high price, and the (other's) heart and manly spirit are checked when he has received the payment; but as for you, (Achilles), the anger the gods have put in your breast on account of a single girl (is) implacable and perverse; but now we are offering you seven of the very best, and much else in addition to them; then should you make your spirit gracious and show respect for the roof (that shelters us) (i.e. show us the respect that is our due by yielding to us); for we are under your roof, (having come) from the whole body of the Danaans, and we claim that, far above (all) others, we are the nearest and dearest to you of all the Achaeans."
Then, swift-footed Achilles replied to him and said: "Zeus-born Ajax, son of Telamon, everything you say seems to be quite in line with my own feelings; but my heart begins to swell with anger whenever I recall those (acts of his), how, in the midst of the Achaeans, the son of Atreus treated me with contempt, as if (I were) some despised migrant. But (now) you must go and declare my message; for I would sooner not think about bloody warfare, until godlike Hector, courageous Priam's son, comes (here) slaughtering Argives right up to the huts and ships of the Myrmidons, and setting their ships on fire. But, let me tell you, around this hut of mine and my black ship, I think that Hector will be stopped, eager for battle (though he is)."
So he spoke, and they each (of them) took a cup with two handles and made a drink offering, and (then) they went back along the (line of) ships; and Odysseus led the way. Then, Patroclus told his companions and the serving women to lay a thick bed as quickly as possible. And they obeyed (him), and made up the bed as he had ordered, with fleeces and a rug, and the finest sheets of linen. There the old man lay down and waited for bright dawn. But Achilles slept in the innermost part of his well-built hut, and beside him there lay a woman whom he had brought from Lesbos, Diomede with the lovely cheeks, the daughter of Phorbas. And Patroclus lay opposite; and (he), too, (had a woman) beside him, the well-girded Iphis, whom godlike Achilles had given him when he took the lofty Scyros (i.e. an island in the central Aegean, off the coast of Euboea), the citadel of Enyeus.
Ll. 669-713. The Greeks are shocked when Odysseus reports to them the disappointing outcome of the embassy to Achilles. But their spirits are raised when Diomedes encourages Agamemnon to lead his men into battle the next day after a good night's sleep.
Now, when they arrived at the huts of Agamemnon, the sons of the Achaeans, the sons of the Achaeans (i.e. the members of the Greeks' council) stood up one after another and welcomed them (with drink) in golden goblets, and (then) began to question (them); Agamemnon, king of men, asked first: "Come (now), O much praised Odysseus, great glory of the Achaeans, is he willing to keep the enemy fire away from our ships, or did he refuse, and does anger still engulf his proud heart?"
Then, the much-enduring godlike Odysseus addressed him once more: "Most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, indeed he is not willing to quench his wrath, but he is filled with yet more fury, and he rejects (both) you and your gifts. As for yourself, he bids you take counsel among the Argives (as to) how you can save the ships and the army of the Achaeans; and, as for himself, he promised, when dawn appeared, to drag his well-benched ships, curved at both ends, (as they are), down to the sea. And he said he would encourage the rest (of you) to sail back to your homes, since (there is) no longer (any hope that) you will achieve your goal of (taking) lofty Ilium. For so firmly has far-seeing Zeus held his hand over her, and her people have been full of courage. So he spoke; and those who went with me are also here to tell (you) this, (that is) Ajax and the two heralds, both wise (men). But the old man Phoenix has lain down to sleep there, so that tomorrow he may follow him, if he wishes, in his ships to their own native land; but in no way will he take him by force."
So he spoke, and they all became hushed in silence as they marvelled at his words; for very forcefully did he speak. For a long time the sons of the Achaeans were silent in their grief; but then eventually Diomedes, good at the war-cry, spoke out: "Most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, you ought never to have besought the excellent son of Peleus and offered (him) countless gifts; he is a proud (man) even as it is; but now you have incited him to far more haughty (thoughts). But, in truth, let us leave him be, whether he goes or stays. Then, he will fight again whenever the heart in his breast (so) commands (him) and a god arouses (him). But come, let us all do as I say; now you should go to bed, having satisfied your hearts with food and wine; for therein is food and strength; then, when fair rosy-fingered Dawn appears, you should marshal your host and your chariots, and urge (them) on, and you, yourself, should also fight among the foremost."
So he spoke, and all the kings applauded his words, in admiration of Diomedes, tamer of horses. And then, after pouring a libation, they went each to his own hut, and there they lay down and took the gift of sleep.
