BOOK BY BOOK SUMARRY OF
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 9 SUMMARY
• Agamemnon and cohorts are dismayed by the apparent need to return to Argos. Diomedes is
furious and demands that they stay and fight, calling Agamemnon a coward. The Achaeans
agree wholeheartedly, and there is a feast to cheer everyone up.
• Nestor then recommends that they try to appease Achilles, as he is vital to the fight.
Agamemnon smoothly agrees and says he will give huge gifts if Achilles will rejoin the fight.
They send an embassy of the wisest and strongest Greeks (Odysseus, Phoenix and Ajax) to put
this to Achilles.
• They find Achilles in his tent with Patroclus. Achilles, however, is made furious by the offer,
and says it is his honour that has been offended, and that he will return home. He advises the
others to do likewise. He directly offers Phoenix a chance to return with him.
• The Achaeans are dismayed and decide to return home Achilles warns them to not to further
anger him, but on a more positive note hints that he is prepared to battle his nemesis Hector if
Hector approaches Achilles' own forces.
• Nonetheless the Greeks are disappointed and return to their camp. Diomedes once again
cheers everyone up with a rousing speech and tells Agamemnon to fight in the battle the next
day. He also advises leaving Achilles to calm down on his own, and not to further insult his
honour with bribes such as gifts. The team all head off to go to sleep.
The Iliad | Book 9
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 9 SUMMARY
• Agamemnon and cohorts are dismayed by the apparent need to return to Argos. Diomedes is
furious and demands that they stay and fight, calling Agamemnon a coward. The Achaeans
agree wholeheartedly, and there is a feast to cheer everyone up.
• Nestor then recommends that they try to appease Achilles, as he is vital to the fight.
Agamemnon smoothly agrees and says he will give huge gifts if Achilles will rejoin the fight.
They send an embassy of the wisest and strongest Greeks (Odysseus, Phoenix and Ajax) to put
this to Achilles.
• They find Achilles in his tent with Patroclus. Achilles, however, is made furious by the offer,
and says it is his honour that has been offended, and that he will return home. He advises the
others to do likewise. He directly offers Phoenix a chance to return with him.
• The Achaeans are dismayed and decide to return home Achilles warns them to not to further
anger him, but on a more positive note hints that he is prepared to battle his nemesis Hector if
Hector approaches Achilles' own forces.
• Nonetheless the Greeks are disappointed and return to their camp. Diomedes once again
cheers everyone up with a rousing speech and tells Agamemnon to fight in the battle the next
day. He also advises leaving Achilles to calm down on his own, and not to further insult his
honour with bribes such as gifts. The team all head off to go to sleep.
The Iliad | Book 9
