Iliad Book 23

• What does Achilles do once the Achaeans have returned to camp?

  Organises a huge funeral for Patroclus
• What does Achilles do when the rest of the Achaeans begin to eat?

  He refuses to eat anything or wash himself of blood/dirt until Patroclus is buried
• What happens when Achilles falls asleep?

  Patroclus' ghost appears to him + asks for Achilles to finish the burial so that Patroclus can go to Hades

  Patroclus also asks him to bury their bones together
• What happens when Achilles tries to hold Patroclus?

  He can't touch him
• Who leads the Achaeans cutting timber and what are they cutting it for?

  Meriones -> for Patroclus' funeral pyre
• How do the men prepare for the funeral?

  They put on their arms + Achilles makes a huge sacrifice to the gods
• What goes wrong with the funeral pyre and how does Achilles fix it?

  The pyre won't burn so Achilles prays to the gods of the west + north winds -> Iris delivers the prayer + the pyre burns
• What do each of the Achaeans put in the funeral pyre with Patroclus' body?

  A lock of their hair
• What happens the day after lighting the funeral pyre?

  Patroclus' ashes are collected into an urn + the Achaeans build him a burial mound
• What does Achilles ask as the funeral mound is being built?

  For his own bones to be buried there with Patroclus and when he dies, for the mound to be built into a huge monument
• What does Achilles make the men do once the burial mound is finished?

  Funeral games
• What are the 8 funeral games that are held?

  • Chariot race
  • Boxing
  • Wrestling
  • Footrace
  • Armoured duel
  • Throwing iron lump
  • Archery
  • Spear throwing
• What happens in the chariot race?

  Participants: Eumelus, Diomedes, Menelaus, Antilochus, Meriones

  • Apollo = still angry with Diomedes -> knocks his whip from his hands
  • Athene gives the whip back then breaks Eumelus' yoke so he falls behind + Diomedes = 1st
  • Antilochus drives around Menelaus dangerously despite narrow track -> Menelaus angry with Antilochus

  Places: Diomedes 1st, Antilochus 2nd, Menelaus 3rd, Meriones 4th, Eumelus 5th

  • Achilles gives Eumelus 2nd for his bad luck
  • Menelaus tries to make Antilochus admit he cheated but Antilochus refuses + gives Menelaus his prize instead
• Who wins boxing?

  Epeus (boxing specialist)
• Who wins wrestling?

  Ajax the Greater (strength) ties with Odysseus (technique)
• Who wins the footrace?

  Odysseus = 1st

  • Ajax the Lesser 2nd (Athene made him fall so Odysseus could win)
  • Antilochus 3rd
• Who wins the armoured duel?

  Ajax the Greater + Diomedes fight but are separated before they cause each other harm

  Diomedes is declared the winner
• Who wins the iron lump throwing?

  Polypoetes
• Who wins archery?

  Meriones (by shooting the dove)

  • Teucer = 2nd (he shot the cord tying the dove down instead of the dove since he forgot to pray to Apollo)
• Who won spear throwing?

  The contest didn't even start properly before Achilles interjected to declare Agamemnon the winner by default due to his arching skill