Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

For twelve days Achilles has dragged Hector’s corpse; Apollo preserves the flesh. On Olympus Apollo urges that Hector be released for burial; Hera, Athena, and Poseidon resist until Zeus decides: Thetis will go to Achilles and bid him accept ransom; Iris will go to Priam and bid him go to the ships with gifts, alone but for one aged herald, under divine protection. Thetis finds Achilles still weeping for Patroclus and speaks Zeus’s will; he consents. Iris finds Priam in the palace, filthy with mourning, and delivers the command: he is to take treasures, fear nothing, and trust Hermes as guide. Priam calls for the wagon. Hecuba, terrified, begs him not to face the man who has slaughtered so many of their sons; better to die in the house than under Achilles’ hand. Priam will not be turned: he would rather clasp Achilles’ knees and try for Hector’s body. He pours a libation and prays to Zeus for a bird of omen; Zeus sends an eagle, strongest of birds, flying on the right. Encouraged, Priam and the herald Idaeus load the mule-wagon with garments, gold, and vessels—the ransom—and drive out through the gates into the darkening plain.