Achilleus
realizes he has been tricked as he faces Hektor, who is consequently
contemplating his fate. As Achilleus approaches, Hektor runs away, motivated by
cowardly fear. Much to my displeasure, Zeus wishes to help Hektor. I squash
this idea as best and coyly as I can, instead prompting the approval of my aid
to Achilleus. I disguise myself as Deïphobos, his very brother, before Hektor
and convince him to return to face Achilleus through the comfort of my aid.
Hektor asks Achilleus for a mutual understanding of fair treatment of the body
of the fallen warrior, but Achilleus refuses. Falling victim to my trick with
ease, Hektor obliges to his own demise as I vanish and Achilleus proceeds to
kill him. Standing over his body, Achilleus screams of his ill intentions to
mistreat his body and deprive him of proper burial. The Achaeans desecrate the
corps before Achilleus drags it behind his chariot. Andromache mourns.
More
ceremonies commence as Patroklos receives his proper burial ceremony, only after
which does Achilleus eat and groom.
For
twelve long days, Achilleus proceeds to try desecrating Hektor’s body to no
consequence. Apollo is busy keeping it pristine. This is not an endearing
action for a warrior, it is not something done so readily, although I myself do
not have a problem with it. After being approached by Priam, Achilleus is able
to relate on a personal level and agrees to hand over the body for burial. They
feast and Achilleus agrees to withhold his troops for twelve days. That night,
Priam decides to sleep outside his teat amongst the stars, making it easy for
Hermes to deliver the message of suggestion regarding not sleeping amongst ones
enemy. Priam, Idaeus, and Hektor’s body escape via chariot unnoticed, to the
great grief of the Trojans, whose representative woman cry out in sorrow.
It
is not until his feat with Priam and his head lay down to sleep that Achilleus officially
looses his μῆνις. With the war at an end, I am contented with the outcome of
Greek success and feel as if my job has been done. Both immortals and men may
now rest.
http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/HistoricityOfTheIliad.html
No comments:
Post a Comment