Book 9 Of the Iliad

Book 9 of the Iliad

"My blood boils when I think it all over, and remember how the son of Atreus treated me with contumely as though I were some vile tramp." (Iliad, IX, 486-488). In Book 9 of the Iliad, Achilles rejects the offers made by three of Agamemnon's ambassadors in an attempt to get him to end his feud with Agamemnon and rejoin the war against Troy, because Achilles feels that Agamemnon has dishonored him. When Agamemnon is discussing his apology to Achilles with his ambassadors, they discuss Achilles' temperament, and agree that Agamemnon's offer to Achilles should be extravagant, because Achilles is known for his having a bad temper and being somewhat stubborn. It is that official offer that Ulysses brings to Achilles, coupled with a detailed description of the destruction threatening the Achaeans. Achilles rejects Ulysses offer, suggesting that Agamemnon was cowardly in battle, but rewarded all of the other warriors except for Achilles. At this point Phoenix, who helped raise Achilles when he was a child, makes his plea for Achilles to stay. Phoenix reminds Achilles of all that he has done for him, and tells Achilles that he will not be acting in an honorable manner if he rejects Agamemnon's offer. Achilles responds to Phoenix that he does not need such honor from the gods, and threatens their personal relationship if Phoenix continues to press Agamemnon's suit. Ajax is the final ambassador to speak. He actually does not being by addressing Achilles, but speaks of Achilles to Ulysses, calling him cruel and suggesting that he is being both selfish and foolish. Achilles seems unaffected by Ajax's words, reminding Ajax that Agamemnon was the one who wronged him and that this is Agamemnon's battle, and that Achilles has no need to be involved. What is most remarkable about the offers to Achilles and his adamant rejections of them is that the ambassadors do not take him seriously, treating him in the same dismissive manner that made him so angry at Agamemnon in the first place.

When Agamemnon is discussing withdrawing from the battle with Troy, one of his advisors reminds him that he has lost one of his best warriors, Achilles, because he stole Achilles' woman. Agamemnon admits his folly, stating, "I was wrong. I own it." (Iliad, IX, 486-488). That statement makes Agamemnon seem like a wise man that is able to grow from mistakes that he has made in the past. However, that statement is somewhat misleading. While Agamemnon does regret upsetting Achilles by stealing his woman, he has not changed his attitude that he is better than Achilles. He suggests that Achilles is the one at fault because, "it is only Hades who is utterly ruthless an unyielding." (Iliad, IX, 124). Furthermore, he states, "I am older and more royal than himself. Therefore, let him now obey me." (Iliad, IX, 126-127). While he does not have his ambassadors convey that message to Achilles, it is clear from Achilles' reaction to Agamemnon's apology that Achilles understands exactly how Agamemnon feels about him.

Ulysses is the first of Agamemnon's ambassadors to speak to Achilles. Before tendering Agamemnon's offer, Ulysses describes the predicament that the Achaeans are facing, with Troy poised to burn up the Achaean fleet. He tells Achilles, "Up, then, and late though it be, save the sons of the Achaeans who faint before the fury of the Trojans. You will repent bitterly hereafter if you do not, for when the harm is done there will be no curing it." (Iliad, IX, 193-196). Next, he goes on to give Achilles Agamemnon's formal offer. Agamemnon offers Achilles seven unused tripods, ten talents of gold, twenty iron cauldrons, twelve horses, seven Lesbians, the daughter of Briseus, Achilles' pick of the loot from Priam, twenty Trojan women, one of his daughters in marriage, a dowry, seven well-established cities, and the allegiance of the men dwelling in those cities. (Iliad, IX, 206-231). Ulysses concludes with a reminder that this issue is bigger than Agamemnon and Achilles, telling Achilles, "Moreover, though you hate both him and his gifts with all your heart, yet pity the rest of the Achaeans…they will honour you as a god, and you will earn great glory at their hands." (Iliad, IX, 232-235),

Achilles responds by rejecting the offer tendered by Ulysses. He reminds Ulysses of the things he did to help Agamemnon and the Achaeans, and suggests that Agamemnon has been a coward in previous battles, "He [Agamemnon] stayed where he was by his ships." (Iliad, IX, 255-256). In addition to being cowardly, Achilles suggests that Agamemnon failed to properly recognize what Achilles had done for him, "He did distribute some meeds of honour among the chieftains and kings, and these have them still; from me alone of the Achaeans did he take the woman in whom I delighted- let him keep her and sleep with her…Agamemnon has taken her from me; he has played me false; I know him; let him tempt me no further, for he shall not move me." (Iliad, IX, 258-268). He then says that he plans to retreat to Phthia. Furthermore, Achilles takes the opportunity to point out that Agamemnon knows exactly how wrong he was. Speaking of Agamemnon, he says, "hound that he is, he dares not look me in the face." (Iliad, IX, 289).

The next person to try to convince Achilles to return to fight with Agamemnon is Phoenix. Phoenix played a father-like role to Achilles when he was growing up. He asks Achilles, "Noble Achilles, if you are now minded to return, and in the fierceness of your anger will do nothing to save the ships from burning, how, my son, can I remain here without you?" (Iliad, IX, 530-533). Not content to merely ask that question, Phoenix reminds Achilles of exactly what role Phoenix played in Achilles life:

It was I, Achilles, who had the making of you; I loved you with all my heart: for you would eat neither at home nor when you had gone out elsewhere, till I had first set you upon my knees, cut up the dainty morsel that you were to eat, and held the wine-cup to your lips. Many a time have you slobbered your wine in baby helplessness over my shirt; I had infinite trouble with you, but I knew that heaven had vouchsafed me no offspring of my own, and I made a son of you, Achilles, that in my hour of need you might protect me. Now therefore, I say battle with your pride and beat it; cherish not your anger for ever; the might and majesty of heaven are more than ours, but even heaven may be appeased. (Iliad, IX, 367-377).

Phoenix also reminds that Achilles that if he fails to act in a timely manner, he will not be able to save the ships from burring. He tells Achilles, "Take the gifts, and go, for the Achaeans will then honor you as a god; whereas if you fight without taking them, you may beat the battle back, but you will not be held in like honour." (Iliad, IX, 455-467).

Achilles' reply to Phoenix questions Phoenix's idea of honor. "Phoenix, old frond and father, I have no need of such honour. I have honour from Jove himself, which will abide with me at my ships while I have breath in my body, and my limbs are strong." (Iliad, IX, 458-460). Furthermore, even though Phoenix has reminded him of the role that Phoenix played in his life, Achilles refuses to consider his pleas. On the contrary, Achilles' sense of offended honor is more important to him than his relationship with Phoenix. He even warns Phoenix, "Love him so well, and you may lose the love I bear you." (Iliad, IX, 463).

It is at this point that the third ambassador, Ajax, attempts to speak to Achilles, but first he speaks about Achilles to Ulysses. He says, "Achilles is savage and remorseless; he is cruel, and cares nothing for the love his comrades lavished upon him more than on all the others. He is implacable- and yet if a man's brother or son has been slain he will accept a fine by way of amends from him that killed him, and the wrong-doer having paid in full remains in peace among his own people." (Iliad, IX, 473-478). He then tells Achilles, "the gods have put a wicked unforgiving spirit in your heart, and this, all about one single girl, whereas we now offer you the seven best we have, and much else into the bargain. Be then of a more gracious mind, respect the hospitality of your own roof." (Iliad, IX, 478-482).