The
duel takes place but neither side is able to come out the winner so they call it
quits for the night. Both sides decide that a short truce is needed so that the
dead can be buried. In this time of the truce, Nestor, one of the wise Achaian
leaders decides that this would be a good time to build a wall and a moat- like
ditch to defend their ships. Two days later, the armies clash. Zeus names the
Trojans the winners of the day. The Achaians are growing weak and are driven
back behind their strong wall. That night, Hektor orders the Trojans to Set up
camp on the plain and to have the fires burn in front of the Achaian’s wall. The
Achaian army is falling apart. King Agamemnon suggests sailing home. But
Diomedes convices the king and the army to stay and fight. At a counsel meeting,
Nester reminds Ahamemnon that Achilles’ absence is responsible for the army’s
suffering. As a result, the king sends Odysseus and Telomonian Aias with the
message that he will offer many valuable gifts as well as the return of Briseis
if Achilles will rejoin the army. When the two emissaries reach the great
warrior’s tent and deliver the message, Achilles refuses and states that he and
his men will sail for home in the morning. That night, King Agamemnon is having
trouble sleeping because he is worrying about the outcome of the Achaian army.
After much tossing and turning, he decides to hold a meeting for his senior
commanders. Old Nestor advises that a scout should be sent to the Trojan camp.
Diomedes volunteers and selects Odysseus to join him. During their mission, the
two men capture Dolon, a Trojan and learn valuable information about the
opposing army. During the next battle, Agememnon and the Achaians are taking
over by driving the Trojans back as far as the city gates. But the Agamemnon and
other Achaian warriors get injured leaving the Trojans to take over the battle.
Meanwhile, Achilles has continued to watch over the battle and is worried about
the Achaians. Since he is not willing to help them yet, Achilles sends his close
friend, Patroklos to get information from Nestor. The wise old man tells
Patroklos to try to persuade Achilles to join the battle. If he cannot succeed
in doing this then Patroklos himself should put on Achilles’ armor and join in
the battle. The Achaians are once again losing to the Trojans. The Achaians are
forced to hide behind their wall, although that didn’t stop the Trojans from
attacking them. While the battle continues, Nestor finds Agamemnon, Diomedes,
and Odysseus and attempts to put together a plan.
They decide that the best
thing to do is to continue to fight. Patroklos finally convinces Achilles to let
him wear his armor. But Achilles tells Patroklos to only rescue the Achaian
ships. When Patroklos shows up disguised as Achilles, the Trojans are
intimidated of the great warrior. As a result, Hektor and his army flee back to
Troy. Patroklos follows the Trojans all the way back to the walls of Troy and
with Apollo’s help, Hektor kills Petroklos. Achilles’ beautiful armor is taken
off of Patroklos’ corpse and placed of Menelaos. Suddenly, a battle begins over
Petroklos’ body pertaining to what side should keep it. But eventually, the body
is rescued by the Achaians and taken to their camp. When Achilles learns of
Patroklos death, he is devastated. He wants to fight the Trojans in particutar,
Hektor. When the Trojans hear of Achilles return, they are panic stricken. But
Hektor decides that the Trojans will stay in the field and fight. Achilles’ plan
is to take twelve captives and kill Hektor.
After receiving his armor, (with the
help of god, Hephaistos) Achilles is ready to go. Achilles calls the Achaians to
an assembly and announces his return to the war. King Agomemnon again offers
Achilles many presents but his attention is turned to fighting the Trojans. Once
ready, the Achaians, led by Achilles head toward the Trojans. The battle begins
with much fury. Achilles continues fighting and killing many of the opposition
but as he about to kill Aeneas, Poseidon rescues him The Trojans are terrified
of Achilles and two groups flea in different directions. The one group seeking
safety near River Xanthos is found by Achilles. He then slaughters many of them
and kept his word by taking twelve captives. Hektor decides that he is going to
engage in a single combat with Achilles. Once Achilles arrives and the duel
begins, Hektor begs Achilles to treat his body with respect if he is killed but
Achilles is so enraged he refuses. The battle abruptly ends when Achilles stabs
Hektor in the throat with his spear. Achilles then strips Hektor of his armor
and connects the corpse onto his chariot. The result of this is the body being
dragged along the ground.
