Mythology of the Iliad and the Odyssey Read Online Free PDF

strap of his helmet. He began to drag Paris back to the Greek camp. However, Aphrodite helped Paris. She tore away the strap of the helmet, so that Menelaus lost hold of Paris.
    Then, Aphrodite caught Paris up in a cloud and took him back to Troy. He remained safely behind the walls of Troy, relaxing with Helen, while Hector and the rest of the Trojans prepared to fight on.
    Agamemnon announced to both the Greeks and the Trojans that Menelaus had won the fight between Menelaus and Paris. He insisted that the Trojans give Helen back to Menelaus. The Trojans were about to agree, for they did not respect Paris. A true warrior would not hide behind the city walls with a woman while his comrades went into battle. Then, Hera and Athena tricked a Trojan warrior into shooting an arrow at Menelaus, and the Greeks fought back in a heightened rage.
    At the same time, Zeus recalled his promise to Thetis to avenge the wrongs done to Achilles. Zeus ordered the rest of the gods to stay in Olympus. He went down to the battlefield and helped Hector fight with brilliance. One Greek warrior after another fell beneath his mighty spear. By nightfall, the Trojans had driven the Greeks back to their ships.
    That night, the Trojans celebrated, while the Greeks pondered their fate. Agamemnon was all for sailing back to Greece. Nestor, the oldest and wisest of the commanders, spoke out against Agamemnon. He criticized him for his treatment of Achilles. “If you, my great Agamemnon, had not angered Achilles, we would not now have suffered such defeats,” Nestor said. “How can you tame his anger and convince him to rejoin us once again?”
    The Greeks cheered at Nestor’s advice. Agamemnon admitted that he had acted in a selfish manner. “I will send Briseïs back to Achilles with my best messengers,” Agamemnon said. “And with her, I will send many gifts of great splendor, treasures certain to convince Achilles to join us again.” Agamemnon carefully chose his messengers: Odysseus, who was glib of tongue; Nestor, the wisest and most experienced of the Greek warriors; Ajax, the brave fighter; and Phoenix, a priest of Zeus who was almost like a father to Achilles.
    Achilles, along with his closest friend, Patroclus, welcomed the messengers into his tent. “Make yourselves comfortable,” Achilles said. “Patroclus, bring a bigger wine bowl and mix a stronger wine.” Achilles carved up and served juicy meats, while Patroclus also brought bread.
    Right then, Odysseus addressed Achilles. “Mighty Achilles, Agamemnon will fill your ship with gold and bronze from the spoils of Troy, if only you will rejoin us in battle. He offers you the hand of any of his daughters in marriage and seven cities as marriage gifts. And of course, Briseïs will be yours. I ask you to consider the fate of your fellow Greeks, who are weary from fighting. Even if you cannot find it in your heart to forgive Agamemnon, will you not consider helping your comrades in arms?”
    “I have no need of the treasures Agamemnon offers, for indeed, they are like bribery,” Achilles said. “I will marry no daughter of Agamemnon. And though he claims to be a mighty warrior, Agamemnon is shameless in that he will not even make his request to me face-to-face. All the treasures of Egypt would not convince me to rejoin him. In fact, tomorrow at dawn, I shall sail home.”
    Achilles’ response astounded Odysseus and the other messengers. Phoenix spoke out. “Sail home? Is this the plan you have been hatching, Achilles? Have you no courage left? I, who have treated you like a son, have never given you the advice to run from danger.”
    And so, Agamemnon’s messengers brought him word that Achilles’ proud spirit had overruled his love for his fellow warriors and that he refused to join the Greeks in battle. All during the night, Agamemnon struggled over what to do. Should the Greeks fight on or should they leave Troy in disgrace? Agamemnon tore at his hair, unable to sleep. Finally,