Read Mythology of the Iliad and the Odyssey for Free Online Page B

boxed. They feasted day and night. Finally, the ashes and bones of Patroclus were placed in a golden urn, and the urn was placed under a huge mound.
    But the gods were furious that although the Greeks had honored Patroclus, they had dishonored Hector. Whenever he wished, Achilles had dragged Hector’s body three times around Patroclus’ funeral pyre. Zeus summoned Thetis to Mount Olympus. “Go to your son’s camp and tell him that the gods are angry with him. We know that in his grief and fury, he still keeps the body of Hector. But it is time for Hector to have a decent burial.”
    Thetis flew down to warn her son about his behavior. “Achilles, Hector was a man who loved and honored the gods. You have treated him with disrespect. Zeus commands you that it is time to give Hector the hero’s burial that he deserves.”
    Achilles promised, “I will give him back at once to whomever brings a ransom for his body.”
    At the same time, Zeus sent his messenger, Iris, to Priam of Troy. Iris told Priam to go without fear to Achilles and get his son’s body. Hermes, the messenger god, brought Priam safely through the Greek camp by putting the Achaeans to sleep.
    When Priam entered Achilles’ tent, he begged, “Mighty Achilles, I pray by your honored father and mother to give me back the body of my own dear son.” Priam brought to Achilles many rich treasures, such as brocaded robes and bars of gold.
    Grief and awe filled Achilles, for Priam reminded Achilles of his own father. Achilles called to his serving women. “Wash Hector’s body, and make sure that Priam does not see the terrible wounds on his son’s body. Then, dress Hector’s body in a finely-woven shirt and wrap it in two soft capes.”
    When this was done, Achilles gently lifted Hector’s body onto a sturdy wagon. He served a fine meal to Priam. The next day, Priam brought his son’s body back to the city of Troy. For nine days, the fighting stopped while Hector’s family and the people of Troy mourned him. Then, they laid his body on a high funeral pyre and set it afire. When the body had burned away to ashes, the flames were put out with wine. Hector’s ashes were collected in a golden chest, which was wrapped in purple cloths. The chest was buried in a hollow grave and covered with huge stones. The Trojans shared a funeral feast in Hector’s honor in the house of King Priam of Troy. Thus ended the life of Hector. Next, the fate of the city of Troy would be decided.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
    Q:
With Achilles leading the Greeks, what happened in the fighting?
    A:
All the Trojans except Hector fled behind their city walls.
    Q:
Why did Hector stay outside the walls?
    A:
He felt that the Trojan losses were his fault. He knew that he would die at the hands of the Greeks even if he surrendered, so he chose to fight one-on-one with Achilles.
    Q:
What did Hector do when Achilles came near him? Why?
    A:
Hector fled because he could see Athena at Achilles’ side, but he stopped when he thought he saw his brother nearby.
    Q:
What did Hector ask Achilles to do? How did Achilles answer?
    A:
Hector asked Achilles to agree to give the body of the one who died in their fight back to his family. Achilles refused.
    Q:
What dishonorable actions did Achilles perform after defeating Hector?
    A:
He stripped the armor off Hector’s body, attached the body to the back of his chariot, and dragged it around Troy. He also dragged it around Patroclus’ funeral pyre.
    Q:
How did Zeus react to Achilles’ treatment of Hector’s body?
    A:
Zeus was furious at this abuse of the dead. He sent Thetis to warn her son to give Hector’s body back to Priam. Zeus also sent his messenger, Iris, to Priam to tell him to go without fear to Achilles to ask for his son’s body.
    Q:
How did Achilles respond to Priam’s request?
    A:
He was filled with grief and awe at Priam’s action. Achilles’ servants washed Hector’s body, covered it with a fine shirt and soft robes, and gave it to