BOOK BY BOOK SUMMARY OF
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 23 SUMMARY
•The Greek armies pull away from Troy and Achilles has the Myrmidons proceed three times in
battle formation to honour Patroclus. Thetis gives the Greeks a great desire to grieve. Achilles
drops the body of Hector beside his fallen comrade. Everyone removes their armour and
attends Achilles' feast.
•Before the feast, Achilles tells Agamemnon that he will not clean the blood from his body until
he has laid his friend to rest. He then says that he will consent to the feast only if Agamemnon
has his men build a pyre at dawn. Achilles lies down to sleep on the beach and Patroclus
appears to him. Patroclus reminds his friend that his own death awaits him, and he request that
when his time comes they should be buried in the same urn.
•At dawn the Greeks cut trees and begin to build the pyre. The Myrmidons prepare as if going to
battle. Achilles cuts a lock from his hair and places it on the body. The Myrmidons do the same.
The troops are dismissed, and the chief mourners remain to complete the pyre.
•The fire does not burn well so Achilles makes an offering to the gods. Iris goes to the North and
West winds and has them keep the fire burning throughout the night. Achilles weeps. The next
morning the fires are put out with wine and the bones of Patroclus are put in an urn sealed with
fat.
•Achilles brings out prizes for the funeral games. The chariot race is the first game with a
woman for first place, a tripod for second a mare for third, a cauldron for fourth and a two-
handed jar for fifth. Eumelus, Menelaus, Diomedes, Antilochus and Meriones enter the race.
The Iliad | Book 23
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 23 SUMMARY
•The Greek armies pull away from Troy and Achilles has the Myrmidons proceed three times in
battle formation to honour Patroclus. Thetis gives the Greeks a great desire to grieve. Achilles
drops the body of Hector beside his fallen comrade. Everyone removes their armour and
attends Achilles' feast.
•Before the feast, Achilles tells Agamemnon that he will not clean the blood from his body until
he has laid his friend to rest. He then says that he will consent to the feast only if Agamemnon
has his men build a pyre at dawn. Achilles lies down to sleep on the beach and Patroclus
appears to him. Patroclus reminds his friend that his own death awaits him, and he request that
when his time comes they should be buried in the same urn.
•At dawn the Greeks cut trees and begin to build the pyre. The Myrmidons prepare as if going to
battle. Achilles cuts a lock from his hair and places it on the body. The Myrmidons do the same.
The troops are dismissed, and the chief mourners remain to complete the pyre.
•The fire does not burn well so Achilles makes an offering to the gods. Iris goes to the North and
West winds and has them keep the fire burning throughout the night. Achilles weeps. The next
morning the fires are put out with wine and the bones of Patroclus are put in an urn sealed with
fat.
•Achilles brings out prizes for the funeral games. The chariot race is the first game with a
woman for first place, a tripod for second a mare for third, a cauldron for fourth and a two-
handed jar for fifth. Eumelus, Menelaus, Diomedes, Antilochus and Meriones enter the race.
The Iliad | Book 23
