Timed Reading — The Iliad and the Odyssey

Meanwhile, Hector leads a large Trojan attack against the Achaean wall between the Trojan army and the Achaean fleet of ships. The wall is successfully destroyed. Achilles is watching and realizes that the Achaeans are about to be defeated. Therefore, he sends Patroclus into the fighting, disguised as Achilles himself. The Achaean army is encouraged when they think that Achilles has returned to the fighting, and the Trojans are so terrified that they quickly retreat.

Patroclus’ skill in battle is superhuman. He kills nine Trojans in a short time, but Hector, with the help of the god Apollo, is able to surprise him and kill him with a spear. Although the Achaeans rescue Patroclus’ dead body, Hector captures Achilles’ armor as a trophy of his victory. Then the Achaeans return to the beach, guarding their ships as best they can.

Achilles is filled with grief and anger when he learns that his best friend Patroclus has been killed. His mother, Thetis, comes to him and tells him that he will die if he tries to avenge Patroclus’ death. However, she still agrees to give him a new suit of armor made by one of the gods.

Despite the warning, Achilles chooses to help the Achaeans in order to punish the Trojans for killing Patroclus. Thus, he returns to battle in his new armor and is so successful that he and the Achaeans defeat the Trojans. He violently kills Hector, the Trojans’ mightiest warrior. Achilles’ anger is not satisfied, however. He ties Hector’s dead body to his chariot and circles Patroclus’ burial mound every day for nine days.

Dismayed by Achilles’ continued abuse of Hector’s body, Zeus decides that it must be returned to Priam. Led by the god Hermes, Priam takes a wagon out of Troy and into the Greek camp unnoticed. He begs Achilles for his son’s body. Achilles is moved to tears, and the two discuss their losses in the war. After a meal, Priam carries Hector’s body back into Troy. Hector is buried, and the city mourns.