Homer's Iliad Book 1 Summary

Overview

This lecture examines Book 1 of Homer's Iliad, focusing on the origins and consequences of the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon. It explores the causes of the plague among the Greeks, the role of divine intervention, the quarrel over honor and war prizes, and the involvement of the gods in the events at Troy.

The Quarrel and Plague

• The poem opens with an invocation to the Muse, asking her to sing of Achilles’ rage, which brings suffering to the Achaeans (Greeks) and fulfills the will of Zeus.
• The conflict begins when Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks, refuses to return Chryseis, the daughter of Apollo’s priest Chryses, despite the priest’s pleas and generous ransom.
• Chryses prays to Apollo, who responds by sending a deadly plague upon the Greek army, killing animals and men for nine days.
• On the tenth day, Achilles, prompted by Hera, calls an assembly to address the crisis. The prophet Calchas, after receiving Achilles’ assurance of protection, reveals that Apollo is angry because Agamemnon dishonored his priest and refused the ransom.
• Calchas declares the plague will only end if Chryseis is returned to her father without ransom and a sacrifice is made to Apollo.

Achilles vs. Agamemnon

• Agamemnon reluctantly agrees to return Chryseis to stop the plague but demands compensation, insisting he will take another prize, specifically threatening to seize Briseis, Achilles’ war prize.
• Achilles and Agamemnon argue fiercely over honor, status, and the distribution of spoils. Achilles accuses Agamemnon of greed and injustice, while Agamemnon asserts his authority as king.
• Achilles threatens to withdraw from the fighting and return home, feeling dishonored and unappreciated despite his contributions to the war.
• Nestor, the wise elder, tries to mediate, urging both men to restrain their anger and reminding them of the importance of unity, but neither is persuaded.
• Agamemnon sends heralds to take Briseis from Achilles’ hut. Achilles, though deeply hurt, allows them to take her, blaming Agamemnon for the insult and warning that the Greeks will regret dishonoring their best warrior.

Divine Intervention

• As Achilles contemplates violence against Agamemnon, Athena appears (sent by Hera) and restrains him, advising him to control his anger and promising that he will receive greater rewards in the future.
• Achilles obeys Athena, putting away his sword, but continues to insult Agamemnon with harsh words.
• After Briseis is taken, Achilles withdraws from his companions and prays to his mother, Thetis, asking her to persuade Zeus to punish the Greeks by giving victory to the Trojans until the Greeks honor him again.

Thetis and the Gods

• Thetis, a sea goddess and Achilles’ mother, rises from the sea to comfort her son. Achilles recounts the events and asks her to intercede with Zeus.
• Thetis reminds Achilles of his short, fated life and agrees to help. She travels to Olympus and supplicates Zeus, asking him to honor Achilles by allowing the Trojans to prevail until the Greeks make amends.
• Zeus is reluctant, knowing it will anger his wife, Hera, who supports the Greeks. After a tense exchange, Zeus nods in agreement, making a binding promise to Thetis.
• Hera confronts Zeus, suspecting his secret dealings with Thetis, leading to further tension among the gods. Zeus asserts his authority, warning Hera not to interfere.

Sacrifice and Aftermath

• Meanwhile, Odysseus leads a group to return Chryseis to her father and make a sacrifice to Apollo. The ritual is performed with prayers, offerings, and a communal feast, appeasing Apollo and ending the plague.
• The Greek army purifies itself, and the men make further sacrifices to the gods.
• Achilles, now deeply wounded in pride, withdraws from the fighting and refuses to participate in assemblies or battles, longing for honor but feeling betrayed.
• Thetis waits for the right moment to approach Zeus, as he is away feasting with the Ethiopians. When he returns, she secures his promise to help Achilles.
• The gods hold a banquet on Olympus, but tension remains between Zeus and Hera. Hephaestus, the divine craftsman, tries to restore harmony by encouraging his mother, Hera, to appease Zeus, and the gods enjoy music and feasting.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Achaeans — Another name for the Greeks fighting at Troy.
• Chryseis/Briseis — Chryseis is the daughter of Apollo’s priest and Agamemnon’s war prize; Briseis is Achilles’ war prize, taken by Agamemnon.
• Calchas — The Greek prophet who interprets Apollo’s anger and reveals the cause of the plague.
• Thetis — Achilles’s divine mother, a sea goddess who intercedes with Zeus on his behalf.
• Sceptre — A symbol of royal authority and the object on which Achilles swears his oath.
• Aegis — Zeus’s divine shield, symbolizing overwhelming power and terror.
• Olympians — The main gods who reside on Mount Olympus and intervene in human affairs.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Read Iliad Book 2 to follow the unfolding consequences of Achilles’ withdrawal and the gods’ involvement.
• Review the major gods and their roles in the Trojan War, noting their alliances and interventions.
• Reflect: How does the concept of honor (timē) shape the actions and decisions of Achilles and Agamemnon? Consider the impact of personal pride and public reputation on the course of events.