Episode 12 | Iliad, Books 9–11

In this episode, Devin and Colton consider a larger section of Homer's Iliad: Books 9–11. The fate of Troy hinges upon books 9–11. Zeus has begun to accomplish his promise to Thetis and raze Troy to the ground, bringing his will to its end. But first somehow he will need to draw Achilles out of his ship. Yet, before Homer does this, he exalts three of Achaea’s finest heroes: Odysseus, Diomedes, and surprisingly Agamemnon himself—whom Homer has not heretofore given much spotlight on the battlefield. What are we to make of Agamemnon? In these three chapters he is all over the map. He ranges from seeking to lavishly restore his relationship with Achilles (Book 9), to wracked by anxiety (Book 10), and to apparently one of the most valiant heroes of the Achaeans (Book 11). And so, is Achilles’ version of Agamemnon—which seemed accurate before as a self-exalting, parasitic commander—actually mistaken? What are we, then, to make of Achilles? Is his wrath and bitterness simply immaturity? Or is there greater depth in his slighted honor?