The Iliad: Book 1 Summary & Analysis

Homer begins by asking the Muse to help him sing the story of the rage of Achilles. The outcome of Achilles’ anger is the will of Zeus, but it also killed a huge number of Achaean soldiers. The story opens in the ninth year of war between Troy and the Achaeans, when a plague has swept over the Achaean army. A priest of Apollo named Chryses comes to the Achaeans to ransom back his daughter, whom the Achaeans had captured and gave to the Achaean chief Agamemnon as a spoil of war. All the Achaeans advise Agamemnon to give up the girl, but Agamemnon flatly refuses.

Chryses departs, but prays to Apollo to send down arrows of plague onto the Achaeans. Apollo hears his prayer, and the Achaeans begin to die from disease. Ten days later Achilles calls a meeting of the troops. He declares that unless Apollo is appeased they will have to abandon the war against Troy. The seer Calchas says that he can explain Apollo’s wrath, but only if Achilles promises to protect him after he explains. Achilles agrees readily, and Calchas tells them that Chryse's daughter must be returned and that a sacrifice must be made to Apollo.

Agamemnon protests, saying he prefers the girl to his wife, but gives in for the good of all. However, he insists that he must be repaid for his loss, or else he will be dishonored. Achilles tells him that all the treasure has already been divided, and that they will repay him later. Agamemnon refuses, saying that he will take the prize of any captain he pleases, including Achilles. Achilles is outraged, criticizes Agamemnon’s leadership, and threatens to sail home.

Agamemnon tells him that he doesn’t care if Achilles leaves, and that he will take Achilles’ own spoil of war, the girl Briseis, by force. Achilles captured Briseis himself and cares deeply for the girl. Achilles is seized by rage and thinks of killing Agamemnon on the spot, but the goddess Athena appears at his side and checks his anger, promising him a reward for his restraint. Instead, Achilles insults Agamemnon and declares that he will no longer fight for him. The elder captain Nestor tries to mediate the dispute, asking Agamemnon and Achilles to back down, but neither listens to him. Achilles storms off to his camp and Agamemnon organizes the sacrifice to Apollo.

Agamemnon calls two heralds and tells them to go to Achilles’ camp and take away Briseis. When they arrive, Achilles welcomes them and lets the heralds take Briseis away without a fight. He criticizes Agamemnon again and tells the heralds that the day will come when they will need his help. The heralds escort Briseis back to Agamemnon’s camp.

Weeping, Achilles prays to his mother Thetis, a sea goddess, to help him get revenge on Agamemnon. He says that because he knows his life will be short, he should at least have his honor. Thetis appears at his side, sensing his grief. Achilles explains the situation and asks his mother to plead with Zeus to take action. He notes that Zeus owes Thetis a favor, as Thetis once helped him escape a revolt of the other gods. Thetis laments Achilles’ fate, doomed to both heartbreak and a short life. She agrees to go see Zeus when he returns to Olympus in twelve days, and instructs Achilles to keep clear of the fighting.

Meanwhile, the captain Odysseus sails to the island of Chryses, returns the priest’s daughter, and conducts Agamemnon’s sacrifice to Apollo. The men feast and then sail back to the Achaean camp.

After twelve days, Zeus returns to Olympus. Thetis goes to see him and kneels before him, asking him to honor her son by granting the Trojans victory while Achilles remains out of the battle. Zeus is angered, and says that helping the Trojans would force him into a fight with his wife Hera, who supports the Achaeans. However, he agrees, and bows his head as a sign of promise. Thetis departs, and Zeus rejoins the other gods in assembly.

Although Zeus attempted to make his promise to Thetis in secret, Hera has seen everything. She taunts Zeus for trying to make secret plans, and tells him that she has seen him making a promise to Thetis. Zeus tells her not to meddle in his plans, and that there is nothing she can do to stop him from doing as he pleases. Hera is silenced by his fierce words.

Hephaestus stands up in front of all of the gods, attempting to defuse the quarrel between his parents Zeus and Hera. He tells Hera that Zeus is far too strong, and gives a comic speech about his own fall from Olympus. The last time he tried to defend Hera, Zeus threw him off Olympus; badly injured, mortals nursed him back to health. The gods laugh and feast. As night falls, Zeus sleeps beside his wife Hera.