Iliad - Public domain English translationAchilles continues to mourn for Patroclus and yokes Hector's corpse to his chariot to circle Patroclus' tomb three times. Hector's body does not deteriorate because of the protection of Apollo.
Except for Poseidon, Hera, and Athena, the gods pity Hector. Apollo reminds them of how often Hector made them sacrifices and says Achilles has no decency or shame. Hera rages at Apollo as a traitor since he had played his lyre at the wedding of Achilles' parents.
Zeus calms Hera assuring her that Hector can never have as much honor as Achilles since Hector is mortal-born. He asks Iris to fetch Thetis so she can tell Achilles to let Priam ransom his son's corpse. Zeus also tells the gods they need not send Hermes to steal the corpse.
Thetis is reluctant to go to the gods but must obey Zeus, so she obliges and sits in Athena's seat while Hera comforts her and Zeus gives her instructions. She is to tell Achilles to return the body to Priam.
Thetis descends to her son and tells him he should take comfort in food, women, and sleep. She reminds him he has but a short time left to live. She adds that the gods are angry with him and that he should give the body back for ransom. Achilles agrees.
Zeus instructs Iris to tell Priam to bring many gifts, but to go alone to Achilles, except for an aged herald to help with the mules and the wagon. Since Hermes will go with them, they need have no fear. Iris takes the message.
Priam prepares a wagon with gifts from his treasure chamber, but Hecuba is worried and tries to dissuade him. She wishes she could eat Achilles' liver (raw) to avenge what he did to Hector. Crowds of Trojans watch. Priam sends them away, telling them the city will be destroyed. Then he yells at his nine remaining sons whom he describes as liars and dancers (Helenus, Paris, Agathon, Pammon, Antiphonus, Polites, Deiphobus, Hippothous, and Dius). He says it should have been any of them instead of Hector, Mestor or Troilus.
As Priam leaves, Hecuba rushes out with wine for a libation, which he pours out for Zeus. His wagon driver is Idaeus. When they stop to water the mules, they notice Hermes who says he is a Myrmidon and an aide of Achilles. Priam asks how the corpse of his son is doing and learns that it it is doing miraculously well. The god in disguise puts the Achaean guards to sleep. Then he opens Achilles' gate, revealing that he is, indeed, a god. After giving some final words of advice, he leaves. Priam grabs Achilles' knees and kisses his hands. He asks Achilles to remember his own father who has no one to defend him in his old age, but at least he knows his son is still alive. Priam says are his hero-sons are dead. He elaborates his 50 sons, of whom only Hector could have defended Troy. He says he has brought priceless ransom to win back Hector's body.
Then Achilles and Priam both weep, Achilles, for his father and Patroclus. He then speaks kindly to Priam. Achilles, Automedon, and Alcinus unload the wagon and lead in the herald. Achilles orders that Hector's body be washed, anointed, and clothed in garments from the ransom. He is afraid that if Priam had been allowed to see the body in its pre-bathing state, Priam would become angry and set off Achilles' anger again. When the corpse is dressed, it is given to Priam.
They then have a meal. Achilles tells Priam to sleep on the porch lest one of Agamemnon's men see him. He asks how many days it will take for proper burial. Priam says they will be finished on the 12th day. Achilles says he will delay fighting until then. Achilles then goes to bed with Briseis while Priam and his herald start to sleep outside. Hermes rouses them to warn them that they are in danger from Agamemnon, so they set out again.
Andromache laments the fate she and their son will probably share once Troy is destroyed (as is inevitable now that Hector is dead). Either they will be slaves or their son will be hurled from the walls.
Next to lead the mourning is Hecuba who grieves as a mother.
The third is Helen who laments the death of Hector because he is the only one during her 20 years at Troy who has always been kind to her.
Priam orders the men of Troy to haul timber. On the tenth day they put Hector's corpse on the pyre and light it. The following morning they douse any remaining flames with wine and then collect Hector's white bones to put in a golden vase and then they lower it into a grave which is covered with a barrow. They then have a funeral feast.
Next: Major Characters in Book XXIV and Index of the Summaries of the 24 Books of the Iliad
