Achilles' Hospitality: A King's Plea

In Greek mythology, Priam was the last king of Troy and the father of Hector, who was killed by Achilles. In a memorable scene from the Iliad, Priam travels to Achilles' camp to beg for the return of Hector's body. This act of supplication, guided by Hermes, sees Priam set aside his kingly role and humble himself before Achilles, kissing his hands and pleading with him to remember his own father, Peleus. Achilles is moved to pity and agrees to return Hector's body, allowing Priam to sleep in his tent before departing with his son's corpse. This encounter, in which both men discover new spiritual values, stands as a momentary reprieve from the conflict between the Trojans and the Achaeans.

Priam's journey to Achilles' camp

The Decision to Go

Priam, the king of Troy, is grieving the loss of his son, Hector, who was slain by Achilles. Knowing that Hector's body remains in Achilles' possession, Priam makes the difficult decision to venture into enemy territory and plead for the return of his son's corpse. This act of bravery and desperation sets the tone for the entire journey, as Priam puts aside his pride and royal status to beg as a father.

The Journey

With his herald, Idaeus, and a chariot full of treasure, Priam sets out on his perilous journey. The journey takes on a surreal, dream-like quality, with darkness descending as they water their horses at a river. This scene symbolically suggests a journey to the underworld, enhancing the sense of danger and uncertainty surrounding Priam's mission. Zeus, taking pity on Priam, sends Hermes to guide and protect him through the Achaean camp.

Arriving at Achilles' Camp

Hermes, disguised as a benevolent Myrmidon soldier, escorts Priam safely to Achilles' tent. Once they arrive, Hermes reveals himself and leaves Priam alone with Achilles. Priam, in a heartfelt plea, begs Achilles to remember his own father, Peleus, and the love they share. He kisses Achilles' hands, performing an act of humility and setting aside his kingly role.

The Outcome

Achilles, moved by Priam's words and the realization of his own father's impending grief, agrees to return Hector's body. Priam sleeps in Achilles' tent that night, but Hermes warns him to leave, reminding him that he is still among enemies. Priam and Idaeus depart with Hector's body, slipping out of the camp unnoticed. The Trojans prepare a funeral pyre for Hector, and Achilles grants them a reprieve from battle for nine days.

Priam's plea for Hector's body

In Homer's *The Iliad*, Priam begs Achilles for the body of his son, Hector, so that he can give him a proper burial. This scene takes place in Book 24, after Achilles has been abusing Hector's body, dragging it around his dead companion Patroclus's tomb.

On the twelfth day after Hector’s death, Apollo persuades Zeus that Achilles must let Hector’s body be ransomed. Zeus sends Thetis to inform Achilles, while Iris goes to Priam to instruct him to initiate the ransom. Hecuba, Hector's mother, fears that Achilles will kill her husband, but Zeus reassures her by sending an eagle as a good omen.

Priam sets out with his driver, Idaeus, and a chariot full of treasure. Zeus sends Hermes, disguised as a benevolent Myrmidon soldier, to guide Priam through the Achaean camp. When Priam arrives at Achilles’ tent, Hermes reveals himself and then leaves Priam alone with Achilles.

Priam tearfully begs Achilles for Hector’s body, asking him to remember his own father, Peleus, and the love between them. Achilles weeps for his father and for Patroclus. He accepts the ransom and agrees to give Hector's corpse back. That night, Priam sleeps in Achilles’ tent, but Hermes comes to him in the middle of the night, warning him that he must not sleep among the enemy. Priam and Idaeus place Hector in their chariot and slip out of the camp unnoticed.

Achilles' respect for Priam's plea brings a sense of closure to the poem. However, the bond between the two men is transitory, and their loyalties remain unchanged. Achilles allows the Trojan people a reprieve from battle to grieve their hero, and it takes the Trojans ten days to prepare Hector’s funeral pyre.

Achilles' acceptance of the ransom

In the Greek legend, Achilles shows hospitality to Priam, the last king of Troy, by accepting the ransom for Hector's body. Priam travels to Achilles' camp, risking his life by crossing enemy lines to beg for the body of his son, Hector. He brings a chariot full of treasure as a ransom.

Achilles, who has been mourning Patroclus and abusing Hector's body, finally agrees to give up the corpse after Priam invokes the memory of Achilles' own father, Peleus. Priam asks Achilles to think of his father and the love they share, and this plea touches Achilles, who knows he will never see his father again. This shared experience of mourning forges a brief bond between the two men, and Achilles accepts the ransom.

Priam kisses Achilles' hands, an act of humility that breaks a taboo, as he is kissing the hands of the man who killed his son. This gesture moves Achilles, and he agrees to return Hector's body. Priam's ability to feel and express pity is a significant aspect of this scene, and it is through this emotion that he is able to reach Achilles.

The encounter between Priam and Achilles is a memorable scene in ancient literature, and it serves as a spiritual experience for both characters. Priam humbles himself, putting aside his kingly role to plead as a father. Achilles, who has felt sympathy for no one except Patroclus, now shows compassion to Priam, granting his request and accepting the ransom.

This episode in the Iliad is a powerful moment of connection between two enemies, a brief respite from the violence and grief of the Trojan War. It highlights the ability of shared mourning to create understanding and compassion, even in the midst of conflict.

Priam's stay in Achilles' tent

Guided by Hermes, Priam arrives at Achilles' tent, leaving his kingly role behind and presenting himself as a father begging for the return of his son's body. Priam kisses Achilles' hands, a gesture of humility and respect, and implores Achilles to remember his own father, Peleus, forging a momentary bond between the two men. Achilles, moved by Priam's plea, agrees to give up Hector's body, and the two enemies share a night of hospitality in Achilles' tent.

During his stay, Priam sleeps in Achilles' tent, a remarkable display of trust and hospitality between the two men. However, the peace is short-lived, as Hermes returns in the middle of the night to warn Priam that he must not remain among the enemy. Priam and his driver, Idaeus, depart with Hector's body, slipping out of the camp unnoticed.

The encounter between Priam and Achilles is a powerful moment of connection and shared humanity, as the two men set aside their differences and find common ground in their roles as fathers. It is a spiritual and transformative experience for both characters, offering a brief respite from the ongoing conflict and providing a sense of closure to the poem.

Overall, Priam's stay in Achilles' tent is a significant episode in the Iliad, showcasing themes of hospitality, grief, and the power of shared humanity, even in the midst of war.

Priam's return to Troy with Hector's body

In Greek mythology, Priam was the last king of Troy during the Trojan War. He was the father of Hector, who was killed by Achilles. After Hector's death, Achilles mistreated his corpse, dragging it around his dead companion's tomb. On the twelfth day after Hector's death, Apollo persuaded Zeus to make Achilles return the body to the Trojans. Zeus sent Hermes, disguised as a benevolent Myrmidon soldier, to guide Priam through the Achaean camp to Achilles' tent.

Priam tearfully begged Achilles to return his son's body, saying:

> I have endured what no one on earth has ever done before – I put my lips to the hands of the man who killed my son.

Priam also invoked the memory of Achilles' father, Peleus, who was awaiting his son's return. This plea moved Achilles, who finally agreed to return Hector's body to Priam. The two enemies formed a fleeting bond, and Achilles allowed the Trojans a period of reprieve from the battle to grieve and honour Hector.

That night, Priam slept in Achilles' tent. However, Hermes warned him in the middle of the night that he must not remain among the enemy. Priam and his driver, Idaeus, placed Hector's body in their chariot and left the camp unnoticed. When the Trojans saw Hector's body, they prepared a funeral pyre for nine days, with Achilles' promise that no Greek would engage in combat during this time. The funeral took place on the tenth day.

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