3B Part 2 Iliad Book 9

Question 1

What does Agamemnon do at the beginning of Book 9 of the Iliad?

Answer 1

He stands before the disheartened Achaeans, crying, and declares that the war has been a failure and that they should return home

Question 2

What happens after Agamemnon declares the war a failure? What effect does this have?

Answer 2

• Diomedes rises and disagrees, saying that he will stay and fight and reminding the soldiers that Troy is destined to fall
• this inspires the soldiers

Question 3

What does Nestor say? When?

Answer 3

Once Diomedes has spoken, Nestor also urges perseverance and suggests reconciliation with Achilles

Question 4

Why does there need to be reconciliation with Achilles?

Answer 4

Agamemnon offended him greatly when he took Briseis from him as compensation for losing Chryseis

Question 5

What does Agamemnon offer Achilles? What does he offer if Troy is sacked? What does he offer if they return safely to Argos?

Answer 5

• He offers 7 unfired tripods, 10 talents’ weight in gold, 20 shining cauldrons, 12 fine horses, 7 women of Lesbos and Briseis, with the promise that he hasn’t slept with her
• He offers 20 Trojan women of Achilles’ choice if they manage to sack Troy
• He offers to honour Achilles with his son Orestes and allow him to marry whichever of his three daughters he desires, with a dowry of 7 citadels if they make it back to Argos

Question 6

Who conveys Agamemnon’s offer to Achilles?

Answer 6

An embassy which includes Phoenix, Odysseus and Ajax

Question 7

How does the embassy find Achilles?

Answer 7

In his tent with Patroclus, playing the lyre

Question 8

What is Achilles’ reaction to the offer? Why?

Answer 8

He rejects it as the sting of the insult is too great

Question 9

What does Achilles tell the embassy his intentions are?

Answer 9

To sail back to Phthia

Question 10

What does Achilles reveal that his mother told him?

Answer 10

• She told him that if he stays and fights, he will die but gain eternal glory. If he leaves, he will live a long life but without glory

Question 11

Who does Achilles offer to take back to Phthia with him? What is this person’s response?

Answer 11

• Phoenix
• He pleads for Achilles to stay, telling the story of how he became sterile, telling Achilles that he is like a son to him and pleading with him to accept the offer

Question 12

How did Phoenix become sterile?

Answer 12

• His father cursed him after Phoenix slept with his mistress at the request of his mother

Question 13

What other story does Phoenix tell? Why does he tell this story?

Answer 13

• The story of Meleagros and the Kalydon Boar
• To warn Achilles of the consequences of him refusing to fight (he would have no honour, even if he decided later to fight)

Question 14

How does Book 9 of the Iliad end?

Answer 14

• Achilles stands firm and once again rejects the offer. The embassy returns to the camp, once again disheartening the Achaeans