Book 23

Summary

Analysis & Themes

The Achaean troops return to camp. Achillesorganizes an elaborate funeral

for Patroclus, and the Myrmidons grieve for their losses.Hector is left
desecrated in the dust. The men eat a funeral feast, but Achilles will not wash the
blood off of his body until Patroclus burial is finished.

Achilles grief for Patroclus is massive, and he provides

multiple signs of his devotion and sense of loss. Achilles
feels the loss of both a true comrade in arms and an
incredibly close companion.

Exhausted from combat and from grief, Achillesfalls asleep. In the night, the
ghost of Patroclusappears before Achilles, asking him to complete the funeral so
that Patroclus may pass into the world of the dead. Patroclus asks for his bones
to be buried together with Achilles, so that they may never be separated. Achilles
agrees, but when he tries to embrace Patroclus he cannot touch the ghost.

The appearance of Patroclus ghost demonstrates the

unique bond between Patroclus and Achilles. The
connection is so strong that Patroclus will return from the
dead to speak to him. Their joint burial also suggests the
strength of their remarkable bond. Patroclus's request also
emphasizes the importance of a proper burial, as only it
allows a soul's passage to the afterlifethis is what is
being denied to Hector.

The next day, an Achaean force led by Merionescuts timber for Patroclus
funeral pyre. The men prepare for the funeral, putting on their arms and building
Patroclus pyre. A massive sacrifice is made to the gods, including the twelve
Trojans that Achilles took captive the previous day. At first Patroclus pyre does
not burn, but Achilles prays to the gods of the west and north wind.Iris delivers
Achilles prayer, and soon the pyre is set ablaze. The next day, Patroclus bones
are collected and placed in an urn, and the Achaeans build him a burial mound.
Achilles asks to be buried in the same tomb.

With the construction of Patroclus pyre, the mourning for

Patroclus begins to draw to a close. Achilles sacrifice,
including twelve Trojans, is an effort to show the
magnitude of his sorrow. At moments, Achilles seems
nearly like a god, as when Iris takes his message for him
to the gods of the wind, who immediately comply with his
wishes. Yet Achilles glory is connected not to immortality
but a complete acceptance of his own death,
demonstrated again by his request to be buried in the
same tomb. Achilles knows he will dies not just soon, but
during the war.

Achilles oversees a series of funeral games to celebrate the memory

of Patroclus. The first event is the chariot race, and Achilles lays out rich prizes
for the victors. Eumelus, Diomedes,Menelaus, Antilochus,
and Merionesparticipate in the race. Apollo, still angry with Diomedes, knocks
his whip out of his hand, but Athena gives it back to him. Eumelus is the most
famous driver, but Athena breaks his yoke, allowing Diomedes to take the lead.
The drivers approach the races turn.

The funeral games mark the end of the period of grieving

for Patroclus. These events restore order to the Achaean
army, which had been held in the suspension of Achilles
sorrow. The games provide a peacetime-like lull after the
strife of Patroclus death, though of course the gods still
meddle.

Antilochus, despite having slower horses, outmaneuvers Menelaus on the

narrow track. As the racers turn back to the finish line,Idomeneus is the first to
see Diomedes coming, though Little Ajax argues with him, claimingEumelus is
in first. Achilles calms the quarreling captains. Diomedes wins the race,
followed by Antilochus and Menelaus. Achilles gives Eumelus a prize for his bad
luck, and Menelaus makes Antilochus swear that he did commit a foul during the
race. Antilochus says he will not swear, but Menelaus lets him have his prize
anyway.

During the games, Achilles seems more like the king than
Agamemnon. Achilles distributes prizes and mediates
disputes, taking his place as the foremost of all the
Achaeans.

The next event is the boxing match. Achilles lays out more prizes for the
winners. The warriorEpeus is the victor, a specialist in boxing. The next event is
wrestling, where Great Ajax strength is pitted against Odysseus knowledge of
holds. Neither man is able to gain an advantage, so Achilles tells them to share
the prizes.

Although the events of the games have their roots in

warfare, they seem thoroughly domesticated. For
instance, unlike the wrestling match between Odysseus
and Ajax, there are no ties on the battlefield.

The next event is the footrace, where Odysseus,Little Ajax, and Antilochus are
the participants. Ajax is winning, but Athena helps Odysseus by causing Ajax to
slip and fall. Ajax finishes second and Antilochus last. In the next event, the men
duel in full armor. Great Ajax and Diomedes are the two chosen champions.
They fight, but are separated before one man can injure the
other.Achilles declares Diomedes the winner.

Even in a sporting event such as footrace, the gods still

intervene in the lives of mortals. The mock combat
provides another peacetime mirror of war, and as with the
wrestling match, one does not simply a declare a winner
on the battlefield.

Next, the men compete to throw a lump of iron. The captain Polypoetes wins the
competition. Next, the men compete in archery, attempting to shoot at a dove tied
to a cord. Meriones wins the competition, and Teucer comes in second because
he did not pray to Apollo. Last, the men begin the spear throwing
competition. Achillesintercedes, telling Agamemnon that he is the greatest
spearmen by far. Agamemnon is automatically awarded first prize.

The archery competition is another example of the

importance of respecting the gods, no matter how small
the task seems to be. In the case of the spear throwing
contest, Achilles restores order to the games and the
army, giving his due deference to Agamemnon.

Book 23:
Summary:

While the Trojans grieve, the Achaeans pull back to their ships. The Achaeans all go back to their ships except for the Myrmidons, who,
at Achilles' command, mourn Patroclus. The men weep together, with Achilles leading the lamentation. Achilles sets out a funeral feast,
slaughtering oxen, sheep, and goats. The chieftains persuade Achilles to go to Agamemnon, but they are unable to convince him to
wash away the blood and sweat of the day's battle. He will not bathe until he has cremated and buried Patroclus, and then cut his own
hair in mourning. The Achaeans feast.

Achilles finally falls asleep by the sea, weary from the day's hard fighting. As he dreams, Patroclus' ghost comes to him to ask him to
bury his body. As long as the body is unburied, Patroclus' spirit wanders outside of Hades' kingdom, unable to cross the river and join
the other spirits. Patroclus also reminds Achilles that he, too, will soon die. He asks only that their ashes be put together, in the same
urn, so their bodies can mingle together just as they grew up together from boyhood, ever since the day that Patroclus came, as an
exile, to stay in the house of Achilles' father. Achilles promises to obey him, and asks him if they can embrace, to share their sorrow
together, but when he reaches out to hold Patroclus the spirit disappears like vapor.
The next day, the Achaeans build a great pyre for Patroclus' cremation. The body is covered with locks of hair, cut from the men's
heads as a symbol of mourning. Achilles has one long lock, grown long to cut for the river Spercheus upon Achilles' safe return home.
Since he knows he will not return home, he cuts the lock for Patroclus. Achilles asks Agamemnon to order the men to disperse. He
wants only the chieftains, the men closest to Patroclus, to concern themselves with the actual work of dealing with the body. Achilles
sacrifices sheep, cattle, goats, dogs, and twelve captured Trojan youths.

Although Achilles has left Hector's body for the dogs, Aphrodite stays by the corpse and keeps the animals away from it. She has
anointed the body with rosy immortal oil, so that Achilles abuse of the body will not tear the flesh. Apollo uses mist to protect the body
from the sun.
Achilles cannot light the pyre until he remembers to pray to Boreas and Zephyrus, the north and west winds. Iris relays his prayer to the
winds, and they help to spread the flame. All day and night, Achilles stays by the pyre, mourning and drenching the ground with
offerings of wine. As dawn comes, he collapses, but the chieftains wake him. He instructs Agamemnon to have the flame put out with
wine. They will put Patroclus' ashes in a golden urn and build a small funeral mound, to be expanded into a great mound after the war
when the Achaeans have more time. Once his instructions are carried out, Achilles hosts funeral games in memory of his friend. He
offers prizes out of his own goods, not participating in the competition but observing and supervising the games. Diomedes wins the
chariot race, Epeus wins in boxing, Ajax and Odysseus tie in wrestling, Odysseus (with Athena's help) wins the footrace, Ajax and
Diomedes tie in combat, Polypoetes wins the discus event, Meriones wins in archery, and Agamemnon wins the spear throw (because
of his status as king). All receive great prizes out of Achilles own goods.

Analysis:
The appearance of Patroclus' ghost offers little in the way of a comforting view of the afterlife. All through the Iliad, Homer depicts the
afterlife as grim and bleak. There is no glorious heaven; instead, the shades of men, good and bad alike, go down to the dark, windy
world of Hades. The ghost provides Achilles little comfort. When Achilles tries to embrace him, he finds to his sorrow that there is no
body for him to embrace. Tremendous importance is ascribed to the treatment of the body, and the spirits share this concern: the ghost
of Patroclus makes a special request about the disposal of his remains. The ghost hopes that his remains and the remains of his
beloved companion will be mingled together, just as the two men were inseparable during life. Significantly, Patroclus seems more
comforted by the idea of their remains being placed together than he is by the prospect of Achilles meeting him in the land of the dead.
Hades is not something to look forward to. It is not a place of torture and atonement, like the Christian hell, but it is also not a place of
eternal joy and celebration, like Christian heaven. Life, for the Greeks, is the greatest gift. The life of mortals is more glorious than any
afterlife could hope to be.
Note the moment when Achilles cuts the lock of hair he had been growing for the river Spercheus. Instead of giving the lock to the river
on his safe return, he gives the lock to his friend. This gift symbolizes the choice Achilles has made. He has killed Hector to avenge
Patroclus, knowing that the price will be his own life.
---------------------

Achilles hosts the elaborate funeral games to honor the memory of his friend. The Greeks placed great importance on commemorating
the deaths of their heroes and loved ones, and here Achilles glorifies Patroclus' name with a lavish funeral. We see a very different side
of Achilles here. He is civilized, a great and gracious host. He supervises the games well, interceding diplomatically when disputes arise
during the chariot race, giving lavish prizes as promised and then giving still more. His behavior here complicates the view of Achilles
as brutal killing machine; he is no savage, but instead proves himself here to be a man of refinement and generosity. After the brutality
of the previous fighting, we are allowed to see Achilles as he is during times of peace. Even his treatment of Agamemnon is generous,
as he awards the king first prize in the spear throw in deference to the king's status.
Achilles orders the Myrmidons to drive their chariots in battle formation, and they go three times around the body of Patroclus. Then
they have a funeral feast.
When Achilles falls asleep, the ghost of Patroclus tells him to hurry up and bury him, but also to make sure their bones are interred in
the same urn.
The next morning Agamemnon orders the troops to get timber. The Myrmidons cover Patroclus with locks of hair. Achilles cuts one long
lock he had been growing for a river god back home, but since he will be dying soon, he cuts it for Patroclus, instead, and places it in
his hands. After the men have brought the lumber, they go off to prepare a meal while the chief mourners deal with the pyre cutting
piece on fat from sacrificed animals to cover the body. Various animals, including two of Patroclus' dogs, and stallions, honey, oil, and
the 12 young Trojans are killed and added to the pile. Achilles has to plead with the gods for adequate wind for the pyre, but he gets it
and the fire doesn't die down until morning. They douse the fire with wine and then Achilles picks out Patroclus' bones and puts them in
a golden urn, with a protective layer of fat.
Achilles faces the army in a circle and says it's time for funeral games. The first game has the most elaborate prizes and is for chariot
racing. Achilles says he will not compete because his horses are immortal, and so the competition would not be fair. The contenders are
Eumelus, Diomedes, Menelaus, Antilochus, and Meriones. The other men make bets. Diomedes wins, but there is debate over second
place because Antilochus fouled Menelaus.
The next event is boxing. Epeus and Euryalus fight, with Epeus winning.
Wrestling is the third event. Fairly typical, the prizes are a tripod worth 12 oxen for first prize, and a woman worth 4 oxen for the loser.
Telamon's son Ajax and Odysseus fight, but the result is a stalemate and Achilles tells them to share.
The next event is a footrace. Oileus' son Ajax, Odysseus, and Antilochus contend. Odysseus is behind, but a quick prayer to Athena
brings him to first place, with Antilochus in third.
The next contest is for the armor Patroclus had taken from Sarpedon. The fighters are to be in full battle gear and first wound wins.
Telamon's son Ajax fights with Diomedes. Again, there is a draw, although Achilles gives Diomedes the long sword.
The next contest is to see who can throw a lump of pig iron the farthest. The prize is enough iron to last a long time making weapons
and chariot wheels. Polypoetes, Leonteus, Telamon's son Ajax, and Epeus throw it. Polypoetes wins.
Iron is also the prize for an archery contest. Teucer and Meriones compete. Teucer forgets to invoke Apollo, so he misses. Meriones
makes appropriate promises and wins.
Achilles then sets up more prizes for spear throwing. Agamemnon and Meriones stand, but Achilles tells Agamemnon to sit down
because there would be no contest since no one is better than he is. He can just take the first prize. Agamemnon gives the prize to his
herald.

Achilles - best warrior and most heroic of the Greeks.

Patroclus - loyal friend and companion of Achilles in

the Trojan War. The son of Menoetius.

Myrmidons - Achilles' troops. Their name means ants

Menelaus - Helen's Greek husband. Menelaus is not

it is said that they were originally ants.

considered
a good fighter.

Ajax - the son of Telamon and Periboea, t

Meriones - son of Molus, a Cretan and the charioteer

Ajax - of Locris, son of Oileus. Bound by the Oath of

of Idomeneus.
Tyndareus and one of the Argonauts, he was in the belly of

Teucer - a half-brother of Ajax and a son of Telamon.

the Trojan Horse.

Polypoetes - son of Pirithous. Co-commands the

Antilochus - a son of Nestor.

Lapiths.

Epeus - son of Panopeus. A champion boxer.

Sarpedon - king of Lycia, son of Zeus.

Euryalus - son of King Mecisteus. Under Diomedes

Agamemnon - lead king of the Greek forces, the

and Sthenelus.
brother of Menelaus.

Odysseus - from Ithaca.

Summary

After returning to the Achaian camp, Achilles and the Myrmidons drive their chariots in a ritual procession around the bier of
Patroklos, and Achilles leads his men in a dirge for the dead hero. That night, a funeral feast is held. Afterward, while he
sleeps, Achilles has a vision of the ghost of Patroklos in which his friend asks that his funeral be held so that he can enter the
realm of the dead in peace.

In the morning, the soldiers fetch wood and build a large funeral pyre. The army marches out in full military regalia, and the
body of Patroklos is placed on top of the pyre. Several horses and hunting dogs, as well as the twelve captive Trojan
noblemen, are sacrificed on the lower part of the accumulation of wood. The whole pile is then set on fire. After the flames
have burned for a while, the fire is extinguished with wine, and the bones of Patroklos are placed in a jar for future burial
alongside the body of Achilles. A memorial barrow is erected over the remains of the funeral pyre.

Achilles now proclaims that funeral games will be held in honor of his friend. Contests in chariot racing, boxing, wrestling,
running, dueling, discus throwing, archery, and javelin throwing ensue, and valuable prizes are awarded.

During this time, the body of Hektor lies on the ground untended, but Apollo and Aphrodite protect the corpse from the ravages
of stray dogs and the heat.

Analysis

Beginning in Book XXII and extending to Book XXIV, Achilles again moves from understandable anger, this time over the
death of Patroklos, to uncontrollable and all-consuming rage in his treatment of the body of Hektor. These last three books
follow the same structural pattern in Achilles' rage that the first twenty books did. Achilles anger at Agamemnon is replaced
with anger at Hektor. Likewise, just as Achilles reached a reconciliation with Agamemnon, so will he reconcile with Hektor's
father, Priam.

Achilles had begun the desecration of Hektor's corpse at the end of Book XXII, and he continues it, both explicitly and
implicitly, in Book XXIII. Achilles' rage cannot be abated, and the reader can no longer feel sympathy for the Achaian warrior.
Homer created a largely sympathetic and understandable character in Hektor. Hektor may have gloried over the dead
Patroklos, but he did not mutilate the body; so now, Achilles' actions go beyond the bounds of acceptability. Just as Achilles'
anger toward Agamemnon turned into petulance, his anger at those who killed Patroklos turns into irrational fury.

Achilles anger is interrupted and tempered by two events in Book XXIII: the dream appearance of Patroklos and the funeral
games. In both cases, the reader is allowed to see a more humane aspect of Achilles.

The ghost of Patroklos is one of only a few instances of supernatural occurrences in the Iliad, along with the constant
references to the gods. Even in this instance, the ghost of Patroklos is more of a dream vision than a real visitation. As in so
many other encounters in the Iliad, the ghost of Patroklos can also be interpreted as a psychological event Achilles talking
to himself. The ghost's request for burial follows the ancient Greek belief that the soul cannot rest without burial. The vision of
the ghost also helps prepare the way for Achilles' reconciliation with Priam in the last book. Patroklos represents the more
human and humane sides of Achilles' personality, and the appearance of the ghost has a decided softening effect on Achilles'
wrath.

Similarly, the funeral ceremony and games show Achilles in a more favorable light. The funeral rites involve a procession of
chariots, the cutting of hair as a sign of mourning, and various sacrifices, including both animals and humans (the Trojan
captives).

The burial is followed by the games, thought to be patterned on real sporting events such as the Olympic contests, which were
founded approximately at the time the Iliad was composed. The general consensus of critics and historians is that the first four
contests made up a typical series of games two-horse chariot race, boxing, wrestling, and the footrace. The other three
games the armored fight, discus throwing, and the archery are thought to be later additions.

One interesting sidelight, proving that some things never change, is the boxer Epeus' comment. Before entering the match, he
shouts, "I am the greatest!"

The games provide for a last review of the heroes of the Greek army. These characters, who have played the major roles
throughout the poem, appear here for the final time. The games allow the reader to see them in a more civilized competition
and provide a valedictory and farewell for the Greek warriors. Only Achilles appears in Book XXIV.

Book 24
Summary

Analysis & Themes

The funeral games end, but Achilles continues to be

consumed by grief for Patroclus. Flooded with
memories, he repeatedly uses his chariot to
drag Hectors body around Patroclus tomb.Apollo,
pitying Hector, protects his body from harm and decay.

Although Patroclus has been buried, Achilles is consumed

by Patroclus death. Achilles knows that his time short,
and that Patroclus death is one of the last meaningful
events in his life.

The gods feel sorry for Hector and desire to rescue his
body from Achilles. They ask the godHermes to steal
the body away, but Hera, bent on shaming the Trojans,
will not allow it because of her hate of all Trojans
resulting from the Judgment of Paris, when Paris
favoredAphrodite's beauty over that of Athena and
Hera, eventually leading to the conflict with the
Achaeans.

Twelve days after Hectors death, Apolloaddresses

the gods. He tells them that Hector always respected
the gods, and that Achilles has no decency for
desecrating his body. Heracounters him, stating that
Achilles is the son of a god, and that he and Hector
cannot be equals.Zues agrees with Hera, but also
indicates that the gods loved Hector dearly. He
sends Iris to call Thetis to Olympus. When she arrives,
Zeus instructs her to go to Achilles and to tell him to
give Hectors body back to Priam. Priam will give
Achilles a ransom as payment.

Thetis flies to Achilles side to comfort him. Achilles is

still choked with sorrow. Thetis asks Achilles how long
he will grieve, and then tells him of Zeus decree to
release Hectors body. Achilles agrees, saying that he
will not resist the will of the gods.

Zeus sends Iris to Troy, letting Priam know that he

must travel alone to the Achaean ships to
ransom Hectors body. He is told that Achilleswill not
kill him. Priam orders that a wagon be readied with
magnificent treasure. Hecubaattempts to convince him
that the journey is foolhardy, but Priam is determined to
take back Hectors body. Hecuba asks Priam to pray
for a sign from Zeus first, and Priam agrees. Zeus
sends an eagle to reassure them. Priam sets out in his
wagon, accompanied by his old driver.

Zeus tells Hermes to go to Troy and ensurePriams

safe travel. Hermes appears to Priam in the form of a
stranger, saying that Priam reminds him of his father.
He offers to help Priam. Priam grows suspicious and
asks whom the stranger is. Hermes replies that he is
an aide of Achilles, and lets Priam know that Hectors
body is still intact. Hermes guides Priams wagon
through Achilles gate and puts the sentries to sleep.
He then reveals to Priam that he is a god sent to help
him.

Priam enters Achilles lodge and kneels, kissing

Achilles hand. He asks for mercy, and beseeches

In the last book of the poem, Homer mentions for the first
time the incident that began the war. Homer never
describes the scene of the Judgment, but indicates that
Paris choice led to Heras anger at this precise moment.

Apollo plea to the gods is one of decency: Hector always

respected the gods, so the gods should ensure his body is
respected in turn. Hera's response, though, points to a
different way of looking at things. as the son of a goddess,
Achilles is simply different than Hector, and is judged by a
different set of standards. Zeus agrees with both sides,
essentially, and be sending a messenger leaves the
choice up to Achilles.

Achilles is filled with anguish, but he overcomes that grief

to show his respect to the gods.

The gods decide to send Priam alone to ransom the body

of Hector, creating a situation where the wisest of Trojans
will meet with the strongest of the Achaeans, where the
father of the slain will meet with the vengeful slayer. Priam
is depicted as very vulnerable, and his vulnerability is
emblematic of Troys weakness after the death of Hector.

Hermes is the god who acts as a guide to heroes, and his

presence is necessary in order to sneak Priam into
Achilles camp undetected. Without Hermes help, Priam
would surely be caught and killed by the Achaean forces.
Hermes comment about Priam reminding him of his father
emphasizes again that Priam is a father, with a father's
great love for his dead son.

As Priam has been led secretly into Achilles camp, he can

speak with Achilles alone without the interference of

Achilles to remember his own father. Achilles is moved

by Priams words and courage. The two men weep for
their losses in the war. Achilles tells Priam that his
father Peleus will never see him again. Achilles asks
Priam to sit but Priam refuses, asking to ransom the
body immediately. Achilles asks Priam not to anger
him, as he might kill him if his temper flares.

politics. When Achilles sees his father in Priam, they both

realize that they have borne losses. It is the first moment
of compassion that Achilles has shown for another living
person since the death of Patroclus. Achilles has accepted
his own death, but in Priam's grief for Hector he can see
how his own death will affect his father, and it moves him
in a way he hadn't been since making his choice to act.

Achilles fetches Hectors body for Priam and

apologizes to Patroclus for letting the body go. Achilles
asks Priam to dine with him, reminding him that even
the sorrowful must eat. They eat together, looking each
other over, and Priam asks to be put to bed. Achilles
tells Priam to sleep outside so that he will not be
discovered. Finally, Priam asks for eleven days of truce
to mourn and bury Hector, to which Achilles agrees.

Hermes wakes Priam from his sleep, advising him to

leave the Achaean camp before he is discovered and
killed. Priam, terrified, drives his wagon out of the camp
and is not seen. Priam returns to Troy and the Trojans
see Hectors body borne on Priams wagon. The city is
plunged into grief. Andromache, Hecuba,
andHelen all cry out in grief for the loss of Hector,
praising him for his bravery and kindness. The eleven
days of lamentation pass, and Hector is finally buried
by the Trojans.

The meal between Achilles and Priam is a moment of

silent unity as the two men share in each others grief.
However, the moment is only temporary, and both men
know that they will soon return to the state of war. The
truce for Hectors burial mirrors the burial of Patroclus.

Although the Iliad begins by outlining its subject as the

wrath of Achilles, the poem ends with the burial of Hector.
Hector is a different kind of hero than Achilles, less godlike
but more connected to the people around him. All the
people of Troy grieve his loss, and the three Trojan
women testify to his humane qualities.

Book 24:

Summary:

Achilles continues to mourn for Patroclus, lying awake at night and filling time comfort by heaping abuse on Hector's body.
Only Apollo's intervention protects the corpse from damage. His treatment of Hector's corpse distresses all of the gods, with
the exceptions of Poseidon, Hera, and Athena. Hera and Athena still hate Troy for the day that Paris chose Aphrodite over
them in a beauty contest of the goddesses. At Apollo's urging, Zeus sends Iris to summon Thetis. He tells Thetis to go to her
son and give him Zeus's instructions: he is to accept Priam's ransom, returning the body of Hector so that the Trojans can give
Hector a proper burial. When Thetis goes to her son and gives him the order, Achilles agrees to do as Zeus asks. Zeus sends
Iris to tell Priam to go to Achilles. He is to bring only one herald, and Hermes himself will escort them safely into Achilles'
presence. Iris finds Priam in deep mourning, wailing and covered with filth. She delivers Zeus's message. Although Hecuba
does not want him to go, Priam is determined to try to win back Hector's body. He prepares the ransom, verbally abusing his
remaining sons as they help him to get ready. Before he goes, Hecuba asks him to perform proper rituals to Zeus for a safe
return, and he does as she asks. Zeus sends a favorable omen, and the old man sets off with his herald late in the evening. As
they cross the plain, the god Hermes joins them. He is disguised as a Myrmidon, and he promises that Priam will arrive safely.
Along the way, Hermes puts the sentries to sleep so that they can reach Achilles' encampment. Hermes reveals his true
identity as Priam is about to enter Achilles' dwelling, but he leaves Priam to meet with Achilles alone.

As Priam enters, Achilles and his men, Automedon and Alcimus, look at the old man with surprise and wonder; Achilles was
not expecting Priam himself to arrive. The aged king takes the suppliant position before Achilles, asking him to remember his
own father. Of Priam's fifty sons, many have been lost in battlemany of them slain by Achilles. The best of them was Hector,
and Achilles has killed him. He asks Achilles to take pity on him, because the old man must kneel and put his lips to the hands
of the man who has killed his children. Achilles thinks of his own father, and the grief his father will feel when Achilles does not
return home. He understands now the suffering that he has caused, and he weeps, now for his father, now for Patroclus. He
asks Priam to stay with him so that they can share their sorrows, which Priam initially refuses. Achilles grows angry, and
Priam, frightened, agrees to do as he asks. Achilles has Hector's body prepared and wrapped, and Priam's gifts are moved
into Achilles' possession. The two men eat together, and then they look on each other with awe and respect. Finally, the
exhausted old king asks if Achilles can provide a bed for him to sleep in. He has not eaten or slept since the death of Hector.

Achilles provides a bed, and he asks how long Priam needs to mourn his son. Priam asks for eleven days of peace to mourn
and bury Hector; on the twelfth day, they will return to the fighting. Achilles promises that the Achaeans will not attack for
eleven days. Priam and his herald sleep in beds on the porch of Achilles' dwelling, but in the middle of the night Hermes wakes
the old man, warning him of the danger of the other Achaean chieftains finding him. Fearful, Priam returns to Troy with
Hector's body.

There the people mourn. Andromache, Hecuba, and Helen give speeches praising Hector and mourning his passing. Nine
days they mourn, men gathering timber for Hector's funeral pyre all the while. On the tenth day they cremate him. On the
eleventh day, they bury his remains, watchful of the Achaeans the whole time, and then they gather to honor Hector with a
funeral feast. The Iliad ends with the simple, understated line, "Such was their burial of Hector, breaker of horses."

Analysis:

Homer finally mentions the cause of Athena's and Hera's intense hatred for Troy. Paris chose Aphrodite in a beauty contest
between the three goddesses because Aphrodite bribed him with the gift of Helen. The motive is incredibly petty in comparison
to the scale of suffering shown so far in the poem. Homer mentions the event casually and for the first time; his audience
would have been familiar with the myth, but Homer's placement is too suggestive to be accidental. The motives of deities are,
at best, as jealous and petty as the motives of mortal men. We have previously been treated to a comic battle between the
gods, and now the motives of two of the greatest Greek goddess have been made to look petty and ridiculous compared to the
scale of sacrifice and anguish we have seen. The gods represent the forces of the universe, but the incredible pettiness of
their jealousies suggests that humans live in a universe that is often capricious and unjustly cruel.

Achilles' transformation is the true climax of the Iliad. Finally, there is an end to his rage. Looking on Priam, Achilles is able to
make the great leap of empathy. He sees his own father in the old king, and he suddenly understands the anguish that he has
caused for the old man and others like him, a mourning father for every man that he has killed. The revelation drives him into
weeping, for what he has done and what he has lost. At last, Achilles has moved from rage to compassion. No longer is he cut
off from humanity, waiting by the ships as his friends die in agony, or wishing for the hunger of an animal as he stands over a
brutally slain victim. His sorrow now is deeper and more humane, far less selfish and self-absorbed than it has ever been in
the past. In understanding what he has taken from Priam, Achilles comes to a deeper understanding of what he himself has
lost. This movement of spirit is the central story of the Iliad, and it distinguishes Achilles as the only character who experiences
a transformative change in his understanding of himself and his world. He is still short-tempered: we see this trait when he
threatens Priam, and again when he fears that if he is provoked he may lose control and abuse the rights of the suppliant. But
in the ways that count most, Achilles is a changed man. He grants the mercy that he previously denied, and the interaction
between Achilles and Priam becomes sacred. For a brief moment amidst the brutality of war, the two men create a sublime
space for peace, trust, and mutual recognition of the enemy's humanity. When Hermes warns Priam that he will be in danger if
Agamemnon finds him in the Achaean encampment, the hard facts of war are unwelcome and intrusive. By now, the audience
knows that Achilles will do Priam no harm. The old man sleeps peacefully and without fear while the most terrifying of the
Achaean warriors sleeps only a short distance away. But Agamemnon and the other Achaeans are in a different world; they
have not been privy to this new understanding that Achilles has gained. The contrast makes Agamemnon and the others seem
grotesquely detached from the important scene that we have just witnessed, and the truth of Hermes' warning feels like the
violation of something sacred.

By closing with the burial of Hector, Homer leaves us with a feeling of great loss. Hector has his glory: is body is finally given
the respect it deserves, and he dies beloved and praised by his people. But we also know that his people are doomed, and
that the cease-fire granted by Achilles is only a postponement of the inevitable. Although its citizens have been loyal to the
gods, the city of Troy will perish, and the Achaeans will deal with her people brutally. At times, Homer glorifies aspects of war,
depicting its power to call out the best of his heroes. Under the conditions of warfare, men find previously unknown sources of
courage, sacrifice, and loyalty. But Homer finishes the Iliad with a funeral for a great man, attended by his ill-fated people, and
the tone is overwhelmingly one of sorrow. Significantly, the last glimpses of both the Achaeans and the Trojans show both
groups in mourning, and the very last moments of the poem depict the doomed Trojans rather than the victorious Achaeans.
Our last memory of the Iliad is of this doomed people, who have already lost so much and now must mourn their champion.
And still, even after all that the Trojans have endured, we know that the worst of their suffering is yet to come.

--------------------

Achilles continues to mourn for Patroclus and yokes Hector's corpse to his chariot to circle Patroclus' tomb three times.
Hector's body does not deteriorate because of the protection of Apollo.
Except for Poseidon, Hera, and Athena, the gods pity Hector. Apollo reminds them of how often Hector made them sacrifices
and says Achilles has no decency or shame. Hera rages at Apollo as a traitor since he had played his lyre at the wedding of
Achilles' parents.
Zeus calms Hera assuring her that Hector can never have as much honor as Achilles since Hector is mortal-born. He asks Iris
to fetch Thetis so she can tell Achilles to let Priam ransom his son's corpse. Zeus also tells the gods they need not send
Hermes to steal the corpse.

Thetis is reluctant to go to the gods but must obey Zeus, so she obliges and sits in Athena's seat while Hera comforts her and
Zeus gives her instructions. She is to tell Achilles to return the body to Priam.
Thetis descends to her son and tells him he should take comfort in food, women, and sleep. She reminds him he has but a
short time left to live. She adds that the gods are angry with him and that he should give the body back for ransom. Achilles
agrees.
Zeus instructs Iris to tell Priam to bring many gifts, but to go alone to Achilles, except for an aged herald to help with the mules
and the wagon. Since Hermes will go with them, they need have no fear. Iris takes the message.
Priam prepares a wagon with gifts from his treasure chamber, but Hecuba is worried and tries to dissuade him. She wishes
she could eat Achilles' liver (raw) to avenge what he did to Hector. Crowds of Trojans watch. Priam sends them away, telling
them the city will be destroyed. Then he yells at his nine remaining sons whom he describes as liars and dancers (Helenus,
Paris, Agathon, Pammon, Antiphonus, Polites, Deiphobus, Hippothous, and Dius). He says it should have been any of them
instead of Hector, Mestor or Troilus.
Providing Practical Solutions Neuroplastic Learning Connections
As Priam leaves, Hecuba rushes out with wine for a libation, which he pours out for Zeus. His wagon driver is Idaeus. When
they stop to water the mules, they notice Hermes who says he is a Myrmidon and an aide of Achilles. Priam asks how the
corpse of his son is doing and learns that it it is doing miraculously well. The god in disguise puts the Achaean guards to sleep.
Then he opens Achilles' gate, revealing that he is, indeed, a god. After giving some final words of advice, he leaves. Priam
grabs Achilles' knees and kisses his hands. He asks Achilles to remember his own father who has no one to defend him in his
old age, but at least he knows his son is still alive. Priam says are his hero-sons are dead. He elaborates his 50 sons, of whom
only Hector could have defended Troy. He says he has brought priceless ransom to win back Hector's body.
Then Achilles and Priam both weep, Achilles, for his father and Patroclus. He then speaks kindly to Priam. Achilles,
Automedon, and Alcinus unload the wagon and lead in the herald. Achilles orders that Hector's body be washed, anointed, and
clothed in garments from the ransom. He is afraid that if Priam had been allowed to see the body in its pre-bathing state,
Priam would become angry and set off Achilles' anger again. When the corpse is dressed, it is given to Priam.

They then have a meal. Achilles tells Priam to sleep on the porch lest one of Agamemnon's men see him. He asks how many
days it will take for proper burial. Priam says they will be finished on the 12th day. Achilles says he will delay fighting until then.
Achilles then goes to bed with Briseis while Priam and his herald start to sleep outside. Hermes rouses them to warn them that
they are in danger from Agamemnon, so they set out again.

Andromache laments the fate she and their son will probably share once Troy is destroyed (as is inevitable now that Hector is
dead). Either they will be slaves or their son will be hurled from the walls.

Next to lead the mourning is Hecuba who grieves as a mother.

The third is Helen who laments the death of Hector because he is the only one during her 20 years at Troy who has always
been kind to her.

Priam orders the men of Troy to haul timber. On the tenth day they put Hector's corpse on the pyre and light it. The following
morning they douse any remaining flames with wine and then collect Hector's white bones to put in a golden vase and then
they lower it into a grave which is covered with a barrow. They then have a funeral feast.
Achilles - best warrior and most heroic of the Greeks. After Agamemnon stole his war prize, Briseis, Achilles sat out the war
until his beloved comrade Patroclus was killed. Although he knows his death is imminent, Achilles is determined to kill as many
Trojans as possible, including Hector whom he blames for Patroclus' death.
Apollo - god of many attributes. Favors the Trojans.
Hector - champion of the Trojans and son of Priam.
Hera - queen of the gods, wife and sister of Zeus. Hera is on the side of the Greeks.
Known as Juno among the Romans and in some translations of the Iliad.
Iris - messenger goddess.
Helen - of Sparta, and the wife of Menelaus. Helen has been abducted by Paris of Troy.
Myrmidons - Achilles' troops. Their name means ants and they were called Myrmidons because it is said that they were
originally ants.
Patroclus - loyal friend and companion of Achilles in the Trojan War. The son of Menoetius.
Priam - King of the Trojans and father of Hector, Paris, Cassandra, and Helenus, among others.
Zeus - king of the gods. Zeus attempts neutrality.
Known as Jupiter or Jove among the Romans and in some translations of the Iliad.

Summary

Nine days pass after the funeral, and on each of these days, Achilles ties the body of Hektor to his chariot and drags it around
the barrow of Patroklos. The gods, however, continue to preserve the corpse so that it does not deteriorate or rot.

Zeus then holds a meeting of the gods where it is decided that Hektor's body will be redeemed and given a suitable burial. To
make this possible, the gods order Thetis to explain to her son, Achilles, that it is the will of Zeus that he restore Hektor's body
to Priam, Hektor's father.

Escorted by the god Hermes, Priam and an old servant enter the Achaian camp that night, unseen. Priam appeals to Achilles
as a suppliant, reminding Achilles of the feelings that he has for his own dead father. Achilles is so moved by these
reawakened memories of home and parents that he agrees to accept Priam's offer of ransom for Hektor's body. The two men,
Achilles and Priam, each having his own sorrow, weep together. Then Achilles has dinner prepared and provides Priam with a
bed for the night. He even oversees the preparations of Hektor's body and also grants the Trojans a 12-day truce so that they
have sufficient time to conduct Hektor's funeral rites.

All the people of Troy come out to mourn Hektor's body. Andromache, Hekuba, and Helen, all of whom praise Hektor and
describe their own reasons for regretting his death, lead the lamentations.

During the period of the truce, the Trojans gather wood in the mountains and burn Hektor's body on a large funeral pyre. His
bones are then placed in a golden chest, which is buried in a shallow grave. Over this, a barrow is erected. Afterward, a great
funeral banquet is served in Priam's palace.

Analysis

The wrath of Achilles is finally assuaged in Book XXIV. Many people have noted connections between the last Book and the
first because both involve a father seeking the return of a child. Agamemnon's rejection of Chryses in Book I leads to all of the
events of the Iliad. Achilles' kindness to Priam in Book XXIV ends the warrior's wrath and brings the work full circle the war
situation is not essentially different from the way it was at the start. With Hektor's burial accomplished and Achilles' death
imminent, the great antagonists of the Iliad have been dealt with.

The events here are the final resolution of the dramatic story of the wrath, or the anger, of Achilles and its aftermath. Until now,
Achilles has undergone no real change of heart and has learned no moral lesson from his experiences. His meeting with
Hektor's father, Priam, however, is a crucial stage in his moral development. In their conversation, Achilles reveals the full
depth of his affection for Patroklos and demonstrates his ability to understand another man's sorrow; the more humane and
nobler side of his character begins to regain influence as he learns to accept reality and to have compassion for others. By
finally relenting and restoring Hektor's body to Priam, Achilles obeys the will of the gods and experiences a partial moral
rehabilitation. He is changed and chastened. But his brief flash of temper, when Priam exhibits a small degree of caution and
suspicion, reveals that he still has many of his irrational traits.

The final scene of the Iliad is one of the most impressive contributions Homer made to the saga of Troy and Achilles. By
concluding his poem with the rehabilitation of Achilles, rather than with the death of Achilles or the fall of Troy, he wrote
the Iliad as a poetic composition with a high level of artistic balance and symbolic meaning. It begins with a wrong deed done
by Agamemnon to a suppliant father (Chryses) and ends with a right deed done by Achilles, another victim of Agamemnon, to
another suppliant father (Priam). The opening and closing episodes of the poem thus focus the reader's attention directly on its
central theme the personal development of Achilles.