Iliad Book 24

Created by

eloise allen

Cards (54)

How is Achilles feeling at the start of Book 24 and what does he do to show it?
Grief -> in rage, he drags Hector's body around Patroclus' funeral mound on the back of his chariot
Which god intervenes in Achilles trying to desecrate Hector? How?
Apollo -> he prevents Hector's body from decaying or being harmed by Achilles out of pity
What do the gods plan to do since they pity Hector?
Ask Hermes to go and steal his body from Achilles
Who won't let Hermes take Hector's body? Why?
Hera -> she hates the Trojans since Paris insulted her by choosing Aphrodite over her at Peleus + Thetis' wedding
How many days does it take for Apollo to call for an assembly with the other gods to talk about Hector's body?
12
Why does Apollo believe they should save Hector's body?
Hector was very faithful + much loved by the gods -> he believes that Achilles' abuse towards Hector's body is disrespectful
What does Hera say in response to Apollo wanting to save Hector's body?
Achilles + Hector can never be equals since Achilles is a demigod
What is Zeus' decision on the matter regarding Hector's body?
He agrees with Hera that Hector + Achilles aren't equals but also reminds her that the gods loved Hector
He orders Iris to summon Thetis to Olympus
He instructs Thetis to tell Achilles to give Hector's body back to Priam + Priam will give him a ransom
What does Thetis do before telling Achilles of Zeus' decree?
Comforts him
How does Achilles react to Thetis' news about Zeus' orders?
He accepts Zeus' decree -> "If the Olympian is in earnest and himself commands me, then bring in the man who would offer a ransom and take the body away"
Who does Zeus send to speak to Priam in Book 24?
Iris
What message is Iris told to pass on to Priam in Book 24?
Go to Greek camp alone with gifts for Achilles
Supplicate Achilles
Ransom Hector's body using the gifts for Achilles
Who does Zeus send as an escort for Priam in Book 24?
Hermes
What does Zeus say about Achilles in Book 24? 
"He is not foolish, thoughtless or wicked"
What are the first sounds that Iris hears when she reaches Priam's palace in Book 24?
Lamentation
What does Priam look like when Iris arrives at the palace in Book 24?
He is 'wrapped up in his cloak' and his 'head and neck [are] plastered with the dung he had gathered in his hands as he grovelled on the ground'
What does Iris tell Priam to do when she first speaks to him in Book 24?
"Compose yourself and have no fears"
What does Hecabe say when Priam tells her that he must go to the Greek camp in Book 24?
"Are you mad?"
"That flesh-eating, faithless savage - he will show you no mercy at all nor the slightest respect"
How does Priam reply to Hecabe when she expresses her concern regarding Achilles in Book 24?
"I am determined to go. Do not keep me back or turn into a bird of ill-omen in our palace - you will not dissuade me."
"Achilles can kill me then and there, once I have taken my son in my arms and wept my fill"
What are the gifts that Priam prepares for Achilles in Book 24?
12 beautiful robes
12 single cloaks
As many white sheets, mantles + tunics that go with them
10 talents of gold
2 shining tripods
4 cauldrons
A lovely Thracian cup
What does Priam say to his remaining sons before leaving for the Greek camp in Book 24?
"Get out of here, you despicable, worthless wretches! Haven't you enough to weep about in your own homes without intruding on my grief as well?"
"Move, you miserable, cowardly children of mine! I wish you had all been killed beside the swift ships instead of Hector. [...] I had the best sons in the broad realm of Troy. Now all of them are gone"
What do Priam's remaining sons do for him before he goes to the Greek camp in Book 24?
They prepare his chariot
Got him a new waggon + added a wicker basket
Added a yoke of box-wood for mules + reign guides
4-metre yoke binding
Brought out the ransom + put it in the waggon
What does Hecabe bring out before Priam leaves in Book 24?
A golden cup of wine to pour libations to Zeus with for Priam's safety
What does Zeus send as a sign to confirm that he has heard Priam's prayers in Book 24?
A golden eagle
Who drives Priam's chariot to the Greek camp in Book 24?
Idaeus
What does Hermes pick up on the way to escorting Priam in Book 24?
A wand that can send people to sleep or wake them up
What does Hermes disguise himself as in Book 24?
A 'young lord at the most charming age when the beard first starts to grow'
When do Priam and Idaeus stop and who confronts them in Book 24?
They stop when the horses need to drink
Hermes comes up to them
What does Idaeus tell Priam they must do when they see Hermes approaching in Book 24?
Either prepare for escape or 'fall at his knees and beg him for mercy'
Who does Hermes immediately approach and speak to in Book 24?
Priam
What does Hermes do when he speaks to Priam in Book 24?
Tests his courage + plants seeds of doubt in his mind -> messes with him for fun
Who does Hermes compare Priam to in Book 24?
His father
What is the ironic compliment that Priam gives to Hermes before he reveals himself in Book 24?
"Your parents must be blessed"
Who does Hermes tell Priam he is in Book 24?
Attendant of Achilles -> Myrmidon
His father is Polyctor -> a rich man around Priam's age
He is Polyctor's youngest son of 7
What does Hermes tell Priam about Hector's body in Book 24?
It is intact -> despite its 11 days in the sun, it has not decayed nor has been eaten by worms
Achilles still drags Hector's body around the funeral pyre for Patroclus every day BUT it does not damage the body
His wounds have all healed and there is no blood on his body
How does Hermes get into Priam's chariot in Book 24?
He 'leapt into the chariot'
What does Priam do when he enters Achilles' hut in Book 24?
He supplicates Achilles, grasping his knees + kissing his hands (it is detailed that he 'kissed his hands, those terrible, man-slaying hands that had killed so many of his sons')
Who does Priam tell Achilles to remember as he supplicates him in Book 24?
His own father, Peleus
What do Priam + Achilles do together in Book 24?
Cry together as they mourn the memories of their sons (P) and father (A)
What is a key quote from Achilles about the gods in Book 24?
"We men are wretched creatures and the gods have woven grief into our lives: but they themselves are free from care"