The Iliad: Honor, Responsibility, and Conflict

The Combat Between Menelaus and Paris

• Agamemnon gathered the Greek chiefs, who mobilized their armies for battle.
• The leaders of Troy also assembled their forces within the city.
• Zeus sent a messenger to the Trojans, advising them to prepare for battle.
• The Greek and Trojan armies advanced towards each other on the plain outside the city walls.
• Paris challenged the Greeks to single combat.
• Menelaus quickly accepted Paris' challenge.
• Menelaus sought revenge against Paris for wronging him.
• Paris became fearful upon seeing Menelaus and retreated to his companions.
• Hector criticized Paris for bringing disgrace to their city and for fearing to face Menelaus.
• Paris proposed a single combat with Menelaus, with Helen and her possessions as the prize for the victor.
• Hector went among the Trojans, holding his spear in the middle to signal his intent to prevent further fighting.
• Agamemnon called out to Hector as he approached.
• Hector proposed the single combat between Menelaus and Paris to settle the quarrel.
• Menelaus agreed to the single combat, stating that it was his personal affair.
• Menelaus wanted the Greeks and Trojans to be at peace.
• Menelaus suggested sacrifices to the gods and an oath to keep their agreement.
• Menelaus insisted on King Priam's presence to take the oath to ensure trust.
• Both armies were pleased with the idea of single combat, as they were weary of war.
• Hector sent messengers to King Priam, who was observing the Greek army from the walls of Troy with other princes and Helen.
• One of the princes remarked on Helen's beauty but suggested she should return to her country.
• Hector's messengers informed King Priam of the proposed challenge, requesting his presence.
• King Priam traveled to where Agamemnon waited to approve the terms of the challenge.
• Wine from both the Greeks and Trojans was mixed in a bowl.
• Agamemnon prayed to Zeus and the Sun to witness the agreement.
• The agreement stipulated that if Paris killed Menelaus, he would keep Helen and treasures, and the Greeks would return home.
• The agreement also said that if Menelaus killed Paris, the Trojans would return Helen and all her treasures.
• The kings drank the mixed wine.
• Greeks and Trojans prayed for severe punishment for anyone breaking the agreement .
• King Priam said he would return to Troy as he could not bear to watch his son fight Menelaus.
• Hector placed two pebbles in a helmet, one for Paris and one for Menelaus.
• It was agreed that whoever's pebble came out first would have the first cast of their spear.
• The pebble of Paris was drawn first and the two warriors prepared to face each other.
• Paris threw his spear but it did not pierce Menelaus' shield.
• Menelaus hurled his spear through Paris' shield and armor.
• Paris bent sideways to avoid the full impact of the weapon.
• Menelaus struck Paris' helmet with his sword, but the sword broke into pieces.
• Menelaus caught Paris by the horsehair crest of his helmet,
• Paris struggled, choking on the helmet strap.
• Aphrodite intervened to save Paris by breaking the helmet strap.
• Menelaus grabbed another spear and rushed at Paris.
• Aphrodite covered Paris with a mist, rescued him, and brought him to his house in Troy.
• Menelaus searched for Paris but could not find him anywhere.
• The Greeks claimed victory for Menelaus because Paris was missing.
• Agamemnon demanded that the Trojans return Helen and her treasures and leave in peace.
• Fate had determined the destruction of Troy.
• Athena, disguised as a son of King Priam, approached Pandarus and encouraged him to shoot Menelaus with an arrow.
• Athena promised Pandarus gifts from all the Trojans.
• Athena did not want Menelaus to die.
• Athena deflected Pandarus' arrow to minimize harm to Menelaus.
• The arrow struck Menelaus in a gap between his belt and breastplate, causing a minor wound.
• Agamemnon was upset by Menelaus' wound, he believed the Trojans were treacherous
• Both sides resumed fighting after Pandarus' act of treachery.
• Gods on both sides urged the armies on.

How Hector Bade Farewell to Andromache

• Hector dealt death and destruction through the ranks of the Greeks.
• Hera and Athena helped the Greeks drive back the Trojans.
• Hector told the mothers of Troy to gather and pray to Athena.
• Andromache met Hector with their son.
• Andromache worried Hector's courage would lead to death.
• Andromache asked that he stay and not leave her a widow and their child an orphan,
• Hector wanted to avoid any Trojan seeing him stay away from battle.
• Hector stretched out his arms to his child, who drew back in fear of the shining bronze armor.
• Hector removed his helmet, at which point his child calmed down
• Hector prayed to Zeus granting greatness.
• Hector gave the boy back to his mother as she smiled
• Andromache returned home thinking Hector would not come home again.
• Hector returned to battle with renewed strength.

The Battle on the Plain

• The two armies clashed on the plain between the walls of Troy and the Greek ships.
• Zeus used his golden scales to weigh the fates of the Trojans and Greeks.
• The scale of the Greeks sank lower.
• Zeus sent a thunderbolt into the army of the Greeks, causing great fear.
• The Greeks retreated towards their ships.
• Hector drove the Greeks before him.
• Hera feared the Greeks would be defeated by Hector.
• Athena prepared her chariot to go to battle.
• Zeus told Iris to warn Hera and Athena against interfering.
• Zeus threatened to lame their horses and break their chariot.
• Iris delivered Zeus' message to Hera and Athena.
• Hera and Athena returned to Olympus
• Zeus questioned Hera and Athena about their sadness, saying his will would happen.
• Hera acknowledged Zeus' power but expressed pity for the Greeks.
• Zeus stated Hector would continue driving the Greeks back until Achilles rose to fight.
• Night fell, bringing relief to the Greeks and anger to the Trojans.
• Hector assembled the Trojans near the river.
• Hector held a sixteen-foot long spear with a bronze head.
• Hector planned to destroy the Greek army the next day.
• Hector urged the Trojans to keep watch and prevent the Greeks from escaping by night.
• Hector declared they would arm themselves and burn the Greek ships.
• The Trojans shouted with joy.
• The Trojan watch-fires shone brightly as they waited for morning.

The Ambassadors to Achilles

• The Greek leaders gathered for a war council.
• Agamemnon suggested sailing back to Greece.
• Diomedes told Agamemnon his talk of fleeing was madness
• Diomedes stated Zeus granted Agamemnon power but not much courage.
• Diomedes said that he and others would stay until they took Troy.
• The assembled leaders applauded Diomedes' words.
• Nestor reminded Agamemnon about wronging Achilles
• Nestor advised Agamemnon to undo the evil deed and make peace with Achilles.
• Agamemnon admitted his mistake.
• Agamemnon decided to make amends to Achilles.
• The Greek chiefs resolved to send ambassadors to Achilles.
• Phoenix, Ajax Telamon, and Odysseus were chosen as ambassadors.
• The ambassadors found Achilles in his tent with Patroclus.
• Achilles welcomed the ambassadors, and they refreshed themselves with wine.
• Odysseus explained the dangers faced by the Greek army, threatened by Hector and his allies.
• Odysseus urged Achilles to set aside his anger and aid the Greeks.
• Odysseus mentioned the numerous gifts offered by Agamemnon.
• Hector planned to burn the Greek ships.
• Odysseus stated that Achilles would slay Hector.
• Achilles said a man who speaks contrary to his thoughts is hateful to him.
• Achilles questioned the value of constant fighting.
• Achilles brought great riches to Agamemnon but received little in return.
• Achilles was shamed by Agamemnon.
• Achilles refused to fight against the Trojans again and planned to sail home.
• Thetis told Achilles about two paths: staying to fight in Troy and dying young with lasting fame, or returning home to live long but be forgotten.
• Achilles changed his mind, feeling his fame was taken from him by Agamemnon.
• Phoenix asked Achilles to put away his anger.
• Phoenix reminded Achilles of his role as Achilles' teacher.
• Phoenix stated that Agamemnon offered Achilles many gifts and promises.
• Ajax said Achilles cared only for his anger.
• Achilles stated that anger remained hot in his heart.
• Achilles stated he would not fight until Hector comes to fire his ships.
• The ambassadors departed to give Achilles' message to King Agamemnon.

The Wounding of Hector and the Battle at the Ships

• Agamemnon led the Greeks into battle, and Hector led the Trojans the next morning.
• King Agamemnon broke through the Trojan line.
• Hector did not stand before Agamemnon because Zeus told him it was so.
• Zeus directed Hector to hold back while Agamemnon fought in the front.
• Zeus's message was delivered by Iris.
• Zeus told Hector that he would have the strength to drive the greeks back to their ships when Agamemnon was wounded.
• Two Trojan brothers drove their chariot straight at Agamemnon.
• The younger Trojan thrust at Agamemnon, but the king killed him and drove his spear through the neck of the warrior from the chariot.
• The elder brother pierced Agamemnon's arm. .
• Agamemnon killed the elder brother, but was wounded.
• Agamemnon told his charioteer to take him back as he could no longer fight.
• The Trojans advanced, led by Hector.
• Poseidon, disguised as Calchas the soothsayer, filled them with determination.
• Poseidon filled the Greeks with fresh strength and drove back the Trojans.
• Hector was struck down Poseidon.
• The giant Ajax struck Hector with a stone on the neck.
• The Greeks were not allowed divine help.
• Poseidon the God of the sea loved the Greeks, whilst Zeus' eyes were directed away, he was not troubled.
• The Trojans lifted and carried Hector off the groud, to the river.
• The Greeks charged as Zeus observed the fleeing Trojans.
• Zeus asked Hera about the Greeks' renewed courage, angered by Hector's state
• Zeus sent Iris to tell Poseidon to cease interfering.
• Zeus ordered Apollo to give Hector new life.
• Apollo found Hector by the riverside.
• Apollo ordered Zeus to stand by and help together, uniting them to lead them to the ships.
• The Trojans and Apollo would stand by each other.
• Hector called to Trojans and led them by force to reunite with Apollo toward the Greeks.
• Apollo was standing by, ready to provide aid and assistance.
• The Greeks thought Hector was dead, seeing him again, were struck with fear.
• Apollo held the shield of Zeus by means of a fire as Zeus carried on.
• Hector was standing by, ready to provide aid and assistance, in turn led to more victories for Hector.
• The Trojans reached the Greek ships due to Hector and his strategy, leading to major wins.
• Hector was closely followed by a torch chief who was aimed to set fire to the ships.
• Ajax fought on a ship by thrusting at anyone who approached to stop the fire.
• Ajax shouted and told them to be men as and save themselves if they wanted courage. If they wanted saving, saving lay in their own hands.
• The Trojans attacked with torches and Ajax had a sharp staff cut by Hector.
• The Trojan’s attacked more and were soon lighting the ships.

Explore themes of honor, responsibility, and conflict in The Iliad. These questions assess understanding of characters' actions, societal values, and divine intervention. Focus on Hector's assessment of Paris, the implications of single combat, and Athena's role in the unfolding conflict.