QUOTATIONS FROM THE ILIAD BOOK ONE “The wrath of Achilles is my theme, that fatal wrath,

which, in fulfilment of the will of Zeus, brought the Achaeans so much suffering….Let us begin, Goddess of Song, with the angry parting that took place between Agamemnon, King of Men, and the great Achilles…Which of the gods was it that made them quarrel?”

“It was Apollo, son of Zeus…who started the feud….” “Old man, do not let me catch you loitering by the hollow

ships to-day…or you may find the god’s staff and crown a very poor defence” (Agamemnon to Chryses).

(Of Apollo) “His descent was like nightfall”. “The noble son of Atreus, imperial Agamemnon, leapt up

in anger, his heart was seething with black passion and his eyes were like points of flame".

(Agamemnon to the assembly) “You must let me have another prize at once, or I shall be the only one of us with empty hands, a most improper thing”.

(Achilles to Agamemnon) “You shameless schemer, always aiming at a profitable deal”.

(Agamemnon to Achilles) “Take to your heels by all means….I am going to pay a visit to your hut and take away the beautiful Briseis…”.

(Achilles to Athene) “The man who listens to the gods is listened to by them”.

(Achilles to Agamemnon) “You drunken sot with the eyes of a deer and the courage of a doe”.

(Nestor) “This is indeed enough to make Achaea weep!”. (Thetis to Achilles ) “ It seems that you are not only

doomed to an early death, but to a miserable life”.