Book XXIV
34 argumentative units
- 01Summary of Book XXIV
The gods arrange for Priam to ransom Hector's body from Achilles, leading to the hero's funeral in Troy.
- 02Achilles Grieves and Desecrates Hector
Unable to sleep, Achilles mourns Patroclus and drags Hector's body behind his chariot, though Apollo protects the corpse.
- 03The Gods Debate Hector's Fate
Apollo rebukes the gods for their cruelty, but Juno, citing the judgment of Paris, argues Achilles deserves more honor.
- 04Jove Sends Iris to Thetis
Jove ends the debate, deciding Achilles must return the body, and sends Iris to summon Thetis from the sea.
- 05Jove's Command to Thetis
Thetis arrives on Olympus, and Jove commands her to tell Achilles to accept a ransom for Hector's body.
- 06Thetis and Iris Carry Jove's Will
Thetis relays Jove's command to Achilles, who agrees, and Jove then sends Iris to instruct Priam to ransom his son.
- 07Iris Delivers Jove's Message to Priam
Iris finds Priam and his family mourning and delivers Jove's message, assuring the king of safe passage to Achilles' camp.
- 08Hecuba's Desperate Plea to Priam
Priam prepares to leave, but Hecuba tries to dissuade him, fearing Achilles will show no mercy and kill him.
- 09Priam's Resolve and Preparations
Priam dismisses Hecuba's fears, gathers a rich ransom, and angrily drives his servants and sons to make haste.
- 10Priam Scolds His Remaining Sons
Priam berates his surviving sons for being inferior to Hector, and they dutifully prepare the chariot and wagon for his journey.
- 11Hecuba's Offering and Priam's Prayer
Hecuba urges Priam to pray to Jove for a sign, and he pours a libation, asking for a favorable omen.
- 12Jove Sends an Omen and a Guide
Jove sends an eagle as a favorable sign, and then dispatches Hermes to guide and protect Priam on his journey.
- 13Hermes Appears to Priam and Idaeus
Hermes, disguised as a youth, approaches Priam's chariot by a spring, causing the king and his herald to fear an ambush.
- 14Hermes Questions the Old King
Hermes reassures Priam, who blesses him, and the disguised god asks if the king is fleeing Troy now that Hector is dead.
- 15Priam Inquires About Hector's Body
Priam questions the youth, who claims to be a Myrmidon, and the king desperately asks if Hector's body remains intact.
- 16Hector's Body is Miraculously Preserved
Hermes assures Priam that Hector's body is miraculously preserved by the gods, and the king rejoices, offering a gift.
- 17Hermes Guides Priam to Achilles' Tent
Hermes politely refuses the gift and, taking the reins, magically guides the chariot past the Greek guards to Achilles' tent.
- 18Priam Prostrates Himself Before Achilles
Hermes reveals his identity and departs, and Priam enters Achilles' tent alone, falling at the hero's feet and kissing his hands.
- 19Priam's Plea to Achilles
Priam begs Achilles to think of his own father and pity him, a wretched king forced to kiss his children's murderer.
- 20Achilles and Priam Weep Together
Moved by Priam's words, Achilles weeps for his own father and Patroclus, then raises the old king from the ground.
- 21Achilles on the Urns of Fate
Achilles consoles Priam, explaining that Jove dispenses both good and evil from two urns and all mortals must bear their lot.
- 22Priam's Plea and Achilles' Warning
Priam begs to see Hector's body, but Achilles, his anger rising, warns the king not to provoke him further.
- 23Achilles Prepares Hector's Body
Achilles has Hector's body washed and dressed away from Priam's sight, then asks for Patroclus's forgiveness.
- 24The Parable of Niobe
Achilles invites Priam to eat, citing the example of Niobe, who ate despite her immense grief for her twelve slain children.
- 25A Shared Meal and a Request for Rest
After sharing a meal, the two men admire each other, and Priam, exhausted, asks permission to sleep.
- 26Achilles Grants a Truce for the Funeral
Achilles offers Priam a bed and, at the king's request, agrees to a twelve-day truce for Hector's funeral rites.
- 27Hermes Urges a Hasty Departure
While others sleep, Hermes wakes Priam, warning him to leave the Greek camp before Agamemnon discovers his presence.
- 28Cassandra Announces Hector's Return
Priam and the herald travel back to Troy at dawn, where Cassandra is the first to see them and cries out to the city.
- 29The Trojans Greet Their Fallen Hero
The people of Troy pour out to meet the funeral wagon, and after the body is laid in state, Andromache begins her lament.
- 30Andromache's Lament for Hector
Andromache mourns her husband, her own fate as a captive, and the dark future awaiting their son, Astyanax.
- 31Laments of Hecuba and Helen
Hecuba mourns her favorite son, and Helen grieves for Hector as her only friend and protector within the walls of Troy.
- 32The Funeral of Hector
Priam directs the Trojans to prepare the pyre, and after nine days of work, they burn Hector's body and bury his bones.
- 33Concluding Note on the Heroes' Fates
The editor provides a brief account of what happened to Troy and the main characters after the events of the Iliad.
- 34A. Pope's Dedication to Mr. Congreve
A. Pope concludes his work by dedicating it to his friend, Mr. Congreve, as a memorial of their friendship.