Iliad: Book Nine

This is an illustrated translation of the ninth of the twenty-four books of Homer’s Iliad. It largely deals with the attempt made by Agamemnon the leader of the Greek army at Troy to appease Akhilleus the greatest of the Greek warriors. As detailed in Book One, Agamemnon has foolishly offended Akhilleus by depriving him of his consort Briseis, a beautiful woman captured by Akhilleus on one of his raids into Trojan territory. Iliad is essentially the immediate consequences of this particular folly. 


A distinguished delegation is sent to Akhilleus with an offer of gifts,  including the return of Briseis as well as other rich offerings. These are however rejected out-of-hand by Akhilleus who considers his mana to have been seriously compromised by the insult occasioned when his war-prize was seized.