The Iliad: Book I

1
The Iliad Book I

• Review

2
Characters

• Agamemnon- Menelaoss brother (from the Legend of
  Helen) Started Trojan War King of Achaians
• Achilles- Great Achaian warrior
• Chryses- Chryseiss Dad/Priest to Apollo
• Chryseis- Captured Maiden taken by Agamemnon
• Briseis- Captured Maiden taken by Achilles

3
Sequence of Events

• Homer (author) evokes a muse
• Achilles, a hero in the Trojan War, is angry
  because two women were captured Chryseis and
  Briseis
• Agamemnon takes Chryseis
• Achilles takes Briseis
• Chryses Chryseiss Dad/Priest to god Apollo
• Agamemnon refuses to give Chryses his daughter
  back, even though a reward was offered

4
Sequence of Events

• Chryses (the Dad) prays to Apollo for help
• Apollo sends a plague that kills many soldiers
• After ten days, a soothsayer is sent to find the
  cause of the plague
• Calchas, a powerful seer, says the plague is from
  Chryses and Apollo
• Agamemnon is enraged
• Agamemnon says he will only return Chryseis if
  Achilles gives him Briseis

5
Dispute Over

• Chryseis Chrysess daughter Agamemnon takes her
• Briseis Taken by Achilles wanted by Agamemnon
  to stop plague (in return for Agamemnon handing
  over Chryseis)

6
Sequence of Events

• Achilles is mad that Agamemnon thinks he can take
  Briseis
• Both men threaten each other
• Achilles is about to kill Agamemnon when Hera (a
  goddess) sends Athena to stop him
• Agamemnon sends Chryseis back to her father and
  sends someone to get Briseis from Achilles
• Odysseus sails the ship that returns Chryseis and
  the plague is lifted

7
Sequence of Events

• Achilles gives Agamemnon Briseis
• Achilles refuses to battle because of the fight
  with Agamemnon
• Achilles asked Zeus for help
• Zeus owes Achilless Mom (Thetis) a favor
• Zeus helps the Trojans against his wife Heras
  wishes
• Hera is mad at Zeus because she prefers the Greeks

8
So

• Both Agamemnon and Achilles are more concerned
  with their own selfish wants than the war effort
  or peace with each other
• Both men lack
• Honor
• Humility
• Selflessness