Book IX

Defeated and despairing, Agamemnon tells the Greeks to abandon Troy and return home.

Diomed angrily rejects Agamemnon's call for retreat and vows to fight on alone.

Nestor praises Diomed, then advises Agamemnon to post guards and convene the elders for counsel.

After the guards are set, Nestor advises Agamemnon to appease Achilles's anger with gifts.

Agamemnon agrees to make amends and lists the vast treasures he will give Achilles.

Nestor names the ambassadors who depart for Achilles's tent, finding him playing a harp.

Achilles warmly welcomes the ambassadors, and he and Patroclus prepare a generous feast for them.

Ulysses begins his plea, describing the Greeks' desperate situation and reminding Achilles of his father's counsel.

Ulysses meticulously lists the vast treasures, women, cities, and daughters Agamemnon offers for reconciliation.

Achilles furiously rejects the offer, recounting his thankless toils and declaring his intent to sail home.

Achilles explains his choice of a long life over glory and tells the ambassadors to leave.

Phoenix tearfully begins his plea by recounting his own tragic youth and how he raised Achilles as a son.

Phoenix urges Achilles to relent, comparing prayers to the slow but healing daughters of Jove who follow Injustice.

Phoenix tells the story of the hero Meleager, who gave in to his anger and only relented too late.

Achilles dismisses Phoenix's story, asking him not to plead on Agamemnon's behalf but to stay with him.

Ajax makes a blunt appeal, and Achilles replies that he will only fight when Hector attacks his own ships.

After a final libation, the embassy leaves while Achilles and his companions prepare for sleep.

Ulysses reports that Achilles has scornfully rejected their offer and plans to sail home at dawn.

After Ulysses's report, Diomed advises the Greeks to ignore Achilles and prepare for battle tomorrow.