Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

At dawn Thetis laid the new armor before Achilles and put nectar and ambrosia in Patroclus’s nostrils to keep the flesh from decay. Achilles called the Achaeans to assembly—even the steersmen and stewards came. He renounced his wrath publicly: the quarrel had been ruin; he would arm at once against Hector. Agamemnon answered that Zeus, Fate, and Erinys had blinded him with *atē* the day he took Briseis; he offered again the gifts of the embassy and swore he had not lain with her. Achilles cared little for the gifts now but accepted the form; Odysseus insisted the army eat before fighting and that the gifts be fetched in sight of all. Agamemnon’s men brought the treasures; Briseis, seeing Patroclus dead, tore her face and lamented him as the one who had promised to make her Achilles’ wedded wife in Phthia. Achilles refused food, grieving; Zeus sent Athena to drip nectar and ambrosia into his breast so hunger would not weaken him. As Achilles armed, the divine shield blazed; Automedon and Alcimdon yoked the horses. Achilles reproached Xanthus for leaving Patroclus; the horse, given voice by Hera, answered that they were not to blame—a great god and strong Fate had killed Patroclus, and Achilles himself was doomed to die by god and man. The Erinyes checked the horse’s voice. Achilles accepted the prophecy and still drove out: he would not stop until the Trojans had their fill of war. The *mēnis* against Agamemnon ends; a deadlier fury against Hector and Troy begins.