Book XXIV

The gods arrange for Priam to ransom Hector's body from Achilles, leading to the hero's funeral in Troy.

Unable to sleep, Achilles mourns Patroclus and drags Hector's body behind his chariot, though Apollo protects the corpse.

Apollo rebukes the gods for their cruelty, but Juno, citing the judgment of Paris, argues Achilles deserves more honor.

Jove ends the debate, deciding Achilles must return the body, and sends Iris to summon Thetis from the sea.

Thetis arrives on Olympus, and Jove commands her to tell Achilles to accept a ransom for Hector's body.

Thetis relays Jove's command to Achilles, who agrees, and Jove then sends Iris to instruct Priam to ransom his son.

Iris finds Priam and his family mourning and delivers Jove's message, assuring the king of safe passage to Achilles' camp.

Priam prepares to leave, but Hecuba tries to dissuade him, fearing Achilles will show no mercy and kill him.

Priam dismisses Hecuba's fears, gathers a rich ransom, and angrily drives his servants and sons to make haste.

Priam berates his surviving sons for being inferior to Hector, and they dutifully prepare the chariot and wagon for his journey.

Hecuba urges Priam to pray to Jove for a sign, and he pours a libation, asking for a favorable omen.

Jove sends an eagle as a favorable sign, and then dispatches Hermes to guide and protect Priam on his journey.

Hermes, disguised as a youth, approaches Priam's chariot by a spring, causing the king and his herald to fear an ambush.

Hermes reassures Priam, who blesses him, and the disguised god asks if the king is fleeing Troy now that Hector is dead.

Priam questions the youth, who claims to be a Myrmidon, and the king desperately asks if Hector's body remains intact.

Hermes assures Priam that Hector's body is miraculously preserved by the gods, and the king rejoices, offering a gift.

Hermes politely refuses the gift and, taking the reins, magically guides the chariot past the Greek guards to Achilles' tent.

Hermes reveals his identity and departs, and Priam enters Achilles' tent alone, falling at the hero's feet and kissing his hands.

Priam begs Achilles to think of his own father and pity him, a wretched king forced to kiss his children's murderer.

Moved by Priam's words, Achilles weeps for his own father and Patroclus, then raises the old king from the ground.

Achilles consoles Priam, explaining that Jove dispenses both good and evil from two urns and all mortals must bear their lot.

Priam begs to see Hector's body, but Achilles, his anger rising, warns the king not to provoke him further.

Achilles has Hector's body washed and dressed away from Priam's sight, then asks for Patroclus's forgiveness.

Achilles invites Priam to eat, citing the example of Niobe, who ate despite her immense grief for her twelve slain children.

After sharing a meal, the two men admire each other, and Priam, exhausted, asks permission to sleep.

Achilles offers Priam a bed and, at the king's request, agrees to a twelve-day truce for Hector's funeral rites.

While others sleep, Hermes wakes Priam, warning him to leave the Greek camp before Agamemnon discovers his presence.

Priam and the herald travel back to Troy at dawn, where Cassandra is the first to see them and cries out to the city.

The people of Troy pour out to meet the funeral wagon, and after the body is laid in state, Andromache begins her lament.

Andromache mourns her husband, her own fate as a captive, and the dark future awaiting their son, Astyanax.

Hecuba mourns her favorite son, and Helen grieves for Hector as her only friend and protector within the walls of Troy.

Priam directs the Trojans to prepare the pyre, and after nine days of work, they burn Hector's body and bury his bones.

The editor provides a brief account of what happened to Troy and the main characters after the events of the Iliad.

A. Pope concludes his work by dedicating it to his friend, Mr. Congreve, as a memorial of their friendship.