In Book 9 of the Iliad, there is panic in the Achaean camp. Agamemnon fears they must sail home. Diomedes argues against such cowardice.
He still has faith in Zeus'promise of their victory. Nestor calms everyone. and says it's time to approach Achilles. Agamemnon offers great treasure to Achilles if he will fight again. If he will return Briseis, future plunder, one of his daughters, and seven cities are his.
Three captains deliver his proposal. Great Ajax, Odysseus, and old Phoenix. Odysseus appeals to Achilles'responsibility to help his fellow Achaeans.
Achilles refuses the treasure and threatens to sail home. He doesn't want Agamemnon's payoff. Phoenix asks Achilles to forgive. He tells the story of an angry prince who lost the honor of rich gifts because he waited too long to relent.
Achilles doesn't want honor that way. way. Ajax urges him to earn the love of his comrades.
Achilles responds more warmly to Ajax. He still will not fight until Hector burns the ships. When Odysseus and Ajax deliver Achilles'message, the Achaeans are stunned. Diomedes says not to mind Achilles.
They will sleep and Agamemnon will lead them bravely in the morning. In Agamemnon and Achilles'second interaction, issues of pride and honor are again central. The turn that the war has taken forces Agamemnon to bend his pride enough to admit fault. He deflects responsibility though and isn't humbled.
Achilles bends his pride even less. Odysseus and Ajax wisely leave out bowing down from Agamemnon's list of demands. Achilles also notices the lack of an apology. The only honor he needs is the fate that Zeus has decreed for him, the honor of a glorious death. He doesn't have long to live.
Prizes would be of little practical use. His enjoyment of them would be very brief. Achilles just can't forgive the insult to his pride. Up to this point, Achilles'anger has seemed fairly justified. He turns down the offer, clinging to his pride and anger.
Achilles is acting very godlike here. Petty, like Hera and Poseidon, and Odysseus' Titus'speech makes a series of different appeals to try to change Achilles'mind.