Book XXI

Achilles pursues the fleeing Trojans, slaughtering many in the river Scamander and taking twelve youths captive for Patroclus's funeral rites.

Achilles is shocked to find Lycaon, a Trojan prince he once captured and sold into slavery, alive before him again.

Lycaon begs for mercy, reminding Achilles they once shared a meal and arguing he is not Hector's full brother.

Achilles rejects Lycaon's plea, kills him, and throws his body into the river with a taunt for the gods.

Angering the river god, Achilles turns his fury on the warrior Asteropeus, who bravely identifies himself and prepares for battle.

Achilles fights and kills Asteropeus, then boasts that his own lineage from Jove is superior to his foe's river-god ancestry.

The river Scamander, choked with corpses, begs Achilles to stop, but the hero vows to continue until he has slain Hector.

The river god Scamander unleashes his full fury, overwhelming Achilles with a great flood that pursues him across the plain.

Overwhelmed by the river, Achilles cries out to the heavens, lamenting that he will die an ignominious death by drowning.

Neptune and Pallas appear to Achilles, reassuring him of his glorious fate and giving him the strength to continue fighting.

Scamander calls upon his brother river Simois to help him overwhelm Achilles, prompting Juno to summon Vulcan and his fire.

At Juno's command, Vulcan unleashes a great fire that boils the river, forcing the god Scamander to yield and beg for mercy.

The river god Scamander begs Juno to intervene, swearing an oath to no longer aid Troy, and she orders Vulcan to cease.

The gods begin to fight amongst themselves, and Minerva quickly fells Mars with a giant stone, taunting him as he lies defeated.

When Venus tries to aid the fallen Mars, Minerva strikes her down as well, leaving both lovers defeated on the plain.

Neptune challenges Apollo to fight, but Apollo wisely declines, stating it is foolish for gods to war over insignificant mortals.

After Diana taunts Apollo for his cowardice, a furious Juno seizes her, beats her with her own bow, and sends her fleeing.

The remaining gods end their conflict, returning to Olympus as Achilles continues his slaughter and Apollo descends to protect Troy.

King Priam, seeing Achilles's rampage, orders Troy's gates opened for the retreating army, while Apollo inspires Agenor to make a stand.

Agenor weighs his options, considering whether to flee Achilles or to stand and fight for his city.

Resolved to fight, Agenor stands his ground, taunts Achilles, and prepares to throw his spear at the fearsome hero.

After Agenor's spear fails, Apollo rescues him and then, disguised as the Trojan hero, leads Achilles on a chase.