The Embassy to Achilles

Book 9

The Embassy to Achilles

The Trojans are planning to attack the Acheans. The Acheans start to panic, and the king gathers all of the troops and tells them that there is no way they can win this battle. Diomedes opposes the king though. He tells everyone that they are going to fight a glorious battle. Nestor agrees with him, but he tells everyone that they need Achilles to help them win. Nestor tells Agamemnon that he should go to his tent and apologize to Achilles for taking the girl Briseis from him. Agamemnon then agrees to this. He offers Achilles seven tripods never touched by fire, ten bas of gold, twenty burnished cauldrons, a dozen massive stallion racers who have earned him trophies for their speed, seven women of Lesbos who are skilled in crafts and flawless and he will give back that girl Briseis. Agamemnon tells Odysseus to go and tell Achilles of what Agamemnon will offer to him. Odysseus goes to Achilles tent and tells him these things. Achilles doesn't accept this offer. He has much rage still for Agamemnon. Achilles and his friend Pheonix are planning on sailing home very soon. Odysseus tries to tell Achilles that he will regret this decision.

Meanwhile, all the Achean troops are feasting and getting ready for the war the next day. When Odysseus returns, Agamemnon asks what Achilles' answer was to the offer. Odysseus tells him that he has declined the offer. Diomedes yells out that Achilles will come back and fight.

Important People: Agamemnon, Achilles, Diomedes, Odysseus, Nestor

Important Gods: Zeus