The Iliad: Book 1

The first book of the Iliad starts off with the Rage of Achilles and Agamemnon. Agamemnon and Achilles had conquered yet another territory, and Chryseis, daughter of Chryses, priest of Apollo, had been taken as a prize for Agamemnon. Distraught, Chryses begged Agamemnon for his daughter, and offered him much wealth, but he was dismissed by the King Agamemnon. Apollo, angered by Agamemnon's actions he struck Agamemnon and his crew with a sickness that would only be lifted when an offering was made to him, and Chryseis was returned to her father. Agamemnon and Achilles argue over this information, causing Achilles to leave the group and ask his mother Thetis for help. Thetis agrees to help her son, so she goes to Zeus to ask for his help. Meanwhile Agamemnon and his crew offer sacrifices to Apollo and return Chryseis to her father, and then Celebrate Apollo. With a little prodding Zeus agrees to help Thetis and Achilles, so that Agamemnon and his crew will realize just how much they need Achilles. Hera, Zeus's wife is not pleased with Zeus' consent, so she pesters him until he threatens her, leaving her terrified. Her son, Hephaestus, comes to comfort her and give her advice, which she wisely accepts. The gods have a celebration, and the night ends in peace.