The Iliad: Book I Flashcards
Song of the Wrath of Achilles
- Achilles (responsible for many Greek deaths due to rage) is angry with King Agamemnon
- Apollo sent a plague to kill Greeks
Apollo the Mouse God
- Achilles is mad at Agamemnon because Agamemnon stole Chryseis
- Chryseis is Chryses daughter
- Chryses is Apollo’s priest, which is why Apollo is involved
- Chryses says he will forgive and bless Agamemnon if he returns his daughter, but Agamemnon does not comply
Calchas’ Prophecy
- The Greeks aren’t aware of what is happening with Apollo, so they ask Calchas, a seer (given powers by Apollo)
- Calchas only reveals Agamemnon’s responsibility, not Apollo’s + plague will only be lifted if dishonor is amended → Daughter must be given back to father, offerings to Apollo
Trade of Briseis
Achilles must give Agamemnon Briseis as war prize from Thebe (Cilicia city where Achilles killed Eetion (father of [Trojan] Hector’s wife, Andromache)
Achilles Stops Fighting for the Greeks
Athena persuades Achilles to give Briseis → Achilles quits Greek forces + joins Trojans
Thetis Petitions Zeus on Behalf of Her Son
- Achilles’ mom, Thetis, tells Zeus that he should honor Achilles, not Agamemnon
- Hera, Zeus’s wife, criticizes Achilles’ involvement in the matter
- Hera tries to go to her son Hephaestus for comfort after she became angry, but he doesn’t want to get involved
The Muse
Three Muses—Aode (song), Melete (pracice), and Mneme (memory) → 9 daughters of Mnemosyne (memory) → Muse of song was Calliope
Achilles (Achean/Greek)
Best warrior, most heroic of Greeks, sits out of war
Agamemnon (Achean/Greek)
Lead king of Greek forces, brother of Menelaus
Zeus (God)
King of Gods + attempts neutrality + known as Jupiter/Jove among Romans
Apollo (God)
God of many, such as mouse (plague God) + upset with Greeks because they dishonored him by insulting one of his priests
Hera (Neutral)
Queen of Gods, wife/sister of Zeus + Greek side + known as Juno among Romans
Hephaestus (Greek)
Blacksmith God + son of Hera + Vulcan among Romans
Chryses (Trojan)
Priest of Apollo + father of Chryseis (taken as war prize by Agamemnon)
Calchas (Seer/Achaean)
Seer for Greeks
Athena (God)
War goddess who favors Odysseus + Greek side + Minerva among Romans
Briseis (Trojan)
Agamemnon wants her in return of Chryseis
Odysseus (Achean)
Asked to return Chryseis
Priam (Trojan)
King of Troy
Hecuba (Trojan)
Queen of Troy
Paris (Trojan)
Son of Priam and Hecuba
Helen of Troy (Trojan)
Kidnapped by Menelaus + brother of Agamemnon
Hector (Trojan)
Warrior
Homer begins his epic with a statement of theme. What does he declare to be the main idea of this epic and what tragic events does he allude to support his main idea?
- Main idea: Rage
- Tragic events: Death + sacrifice
Why has the Trojan priest Chryses come to the Greek camp?
Search for his daughter, Chryseis
After Agamemnon refuses Chryses request, which God punishes the Greeks? How does he punish them?
Zeus, fight alongside Trojans if Thetis successfully convinces him to
The Greeks look to Achilles to solve their latest problem. Who does Achilles enlist for help and why is this person concerned about explaining the anger of the Gods?
Calchas cannot tell them that Apollo caused the arrow storm because he feels guilty since Apollo gave him his seer powers
What is the issue at the center of the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon? What do they both want?
- Chryseis being stolen by Agamemnon
- They both want Chryseis
Why does Achilles consider killing Agamemnon and who stops him from doing so?
- Agamemnon wants another women in Chryseis’s place
- Hera sends Athena to stop them from fighting
What oath does Achilles swear to Agamemnon?
Trojans will win the war against the Greeks
What ultimately happens to Chryses’s daughter?
Escorted back to Achilles by Odysseus
What does Thetis vow to do for her dishonored son, Achilles?
Zeus will make the Trojans win the war + prays to Zeus
How long had the Trojan war been going on at the opening of the Iliad?
10th year
Who is Achilles?
the greatest fighter for the Achaeans
Why has Agamemnon brought illness to the Greek army?
keeping Chryseis as a prize
How does Apollo strike back at Agamemnon?
Chryses (priest) calls on Apollo for help → sends a plague
What does Agamemnon want from Achilles?
claims Briseis (Achilles’ prize)
Who stops Achilles from killing Agamemnon?
Athena
Out of spite, Achilles then …
vows Agamemnon will beg for his skills as a warrior one day + refuses to fight for Greek side
Achilles’ mother then …
secures pledge of Zeus for Achaeans will lose war
The Iliad is about the consequences of …
Achilles’ rage + pride/honor
