engl220 iliad books xxi-xxiv

Book XXI

The aristeia of Achilles continues.

He captures twelve young men to be used as sacrifices at Patroclus’ funeral.

He kills the unarmed boy Lykaon, whom he had previously captured and accepted ransom.

He kills many Trojans and dumps their bodies in the river, which angers the river god.

Achilles fights the river

The river god Skamandros attacks Achilles, and battle rages

Hephaestus is sent to set the river on fire and rescue Achilles.

The gods continue fighting

The fight comes to the very gates of Troy

The Trojan Agenor stands firm. He faces Achilles, fights and dies, but this diversion allows the rest of the Trojans to escape into their city.

Book XXII

Priam opens the gates, and the Trojans retreat inside the city

Although his parents plead with him not to go, Hector decides to face Achilles outside the wall of the city

Achilles and Hector Fight

Achilles chases Hector around the walls of Troy

Apollo encourages Hector to fight

Athena helps Achilles

Apollo abandons Hector

Achilles kills Hector

Priam and Hekuba beg Achilles to respect their son’s body

Before Hector dies, he begs to have his body returned to his family. Achilles refuses, instead dragging Hector’s body behind his

chariot

Priam, Hekuba, and Andromache lament the death of Hector.

Book XXIII

Achilles still mourns for Patroclus, who comes to him in a dream and asked to be buried. The pyre is assembled and lit. Achilles drags Hector’s body around the pyre many times.

Finally, the spirit of Patroclos comes to Achilles, asking for his funeral. He wants his bones in the

same urn as Achilles’

Achilles holds funeral games in honor of Patroclus

First is the chariot race, won by Diomedes

Though there is some squabbling about the prizes, Achilles soothes everyone, and even awards a wisdom prize to Nestor

Epeios wins at boxing

Odysseus and Ajax wrestle to a draw

Odysseus wins the foot race

Diomedes and Ajax battle to a draw with spears

Polypoitus wins the shot put

Meriones wins the archery contest

Achilles names Agamemnon best at the javelin without a contest

Book XXIV

Nine days pass.

On each of those days Achilles continues to drag Hector’s body.

Iris is sent to Priam to encourage him to ransom Hector’s body

Priam prepares for this dangerous mission

Hermes is watching over him

Priam supplicates Achilles

Although Achilles is a respected warrior, Priam’s lineage is longer and more impressive

Note Hector’s body under the couch.

Achilles finally agrees to return Hector’s body

A truce is called for Hector’s funeral

Elegiac speeches are given by Andromache, Hekuba

And Helen

The poem ends with the funeral of Hector and the mourning of the Trojans