BOOK BY BOOK SUMMARY OF
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 17 SUMMARY
• After the death of Patroclus, a fight breaks out over the dead body. Menelaus defends the
body while Euphorbus tries to take the armour.
• Menelaus kills him and continues to defend the body. However, Hector, with Apollo’s support,
approaches the body and after being forced back by Ajax, dons the armour.
• Glaucus states that Hector should have traded the body of Patroclus for Sarpedon’s, Hector
re-enters the fray to retrieve the body with added power from Zeus.
• However, Ajax and Menelaus forced the Trojans back so far, that the Trojans and Hector had
to flee back to Troy. Aeneas rallies the men but can’t reach the body.
• Automedon is attacked by Hector, but he evades and strips a Trojan of his armour as to make
up for Patroclus losing his armour.
• Athena disguised as Phoenix gives Menelaus strength and regardless of Zeus turning the
battle in favour of the Trojans, Menelaus and Meriones manage to take Patroclus’ body away.
The Iliad | Book 17
THE ILIAD
OCR 2017 onwards
BOOK 17 SUMMARY
• After the death of Patroclus, a fight breaks out over the dead body. Menelaus defends the
body while Euphorbus tries to take the armour.
• Menelaus kills him and continues to defend the body. However, Hector, with Apollo’s support,
approaches the body and after being forced back by Ajax, dons the armour.
• Glaucus states that Hector should have traded the body of Patroclus for Sarpedon’s, Hector
re-enters the fray to retrieve the body with added power from Zeus.
• However, Ajax and Menelaus forced the Trojans back so far, that the Trojans and Hector had
to flee back to Troy. Aeneas rallies the men but can’t reach the body.
• Automedon is attacked by Hector, but he evades and strips a Trojan of his armour as to make
up for Patroclus losing his armour.
• Athena disguised as Phoenix gives Menelaus strength and regardless of Zeus turning the
battle in favour of the Trojans, Menelaus and Meriones manage to take Patroclus’ body away.
The Iliad | Book 17
