Contents
We’re all eagerly awaiting the release of the final book in Rick Riordan’s The Iliad series. While we don’t yet know what will happen, we can speculate based on the events of the previous books.
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The Iliad: Book 6 Summary
The sixth book of The Iliad covers a single day of fighting in the tenth and final year of the Trojan War. The Trojans, under the leadership of Hector, push the Greeks back to their ships and would likely have routed them completely if not for the intervention of Achilles.
Hector encounters Ajax in single combat and is only narrowly defeated. Following this, he duels with Diomedes and is again defeated, though not before wounding both Athena and Aphrodite. Meanwhile, Pandarus breaks the truce by shooting Menelaus with an arrow, and fighting between the armies resumes.
Achilles holds back from fighting out of respect for his fallen friend Patroclus, but when Hector kills Patroclus and drags his body behind his chariot around the walls of Troy, Achilles can no longer be restrained. He catches up to Hector, killing him with a single arrow shot through the neck. He then mutilates Hector’s body by dragging it behind his chariot around the city walls.
The Iliad: Book 6 Analysis
The sixth book of The Iliad is one of the most important in the entire epic poem. In this book, Homer introduces readers to the ancient Greek concept of arete, which refers to excellence or virtue. This is epitomized by Achilles, who is reluctant to fight against his fellow Greeks but does so out of a sense of duty. The events that take place in Book 6 also set up the parallels between Achilles and Hector, which will be a major theme in the later books of The Iliad.
The Iliad: Book 6 Themes
The sixth book of The Iliad is focused on the funeral of Patroclus and the debate that takes place over who should be given the honor of performing the rituals. Achilles, as the closest surviving relative, has the right to perform the funeral, but he refuses. Instead, he sends his companions to do it. The book also contains a number of speeches in which various characters try to persuade Achilles to return to battle.
One of the main themes of book six is the importance of proper burial rites. Achilles is initially unwilling to give Patroclus a proper burial because he is angry with him for getting killed while wearing Achilles’ armor. However, Nestor and Odysseus convince him that it is important to bury his friend properly in order to appease the gods. Another theme that is explored in this book is the power of persuasion. The speeches of Nestor and Odysseus are examples of this power, as they are able to convince Achilles to return to battle even though he does not want to.
The Iliad: Book 6 Characters
The Iliad: Book 6 Characters
Achilles: The great warrior Achilles is the son of Peleus, king of the Myrmidons, and Thetis, a sea nymph. He is the greatest warrior in the Achaean army and is furious when Agamemnon takes his war prize, Briseis. Achilles withdraws from the fighting, allowing Patroclus to wear his armor and fight in his place.
Patroclus: Achilles’ best friend and charioteer, Patroclus is killed by Hector while wearing Achilles’ armor. Achilles avenges his death by killing Hector.
Agamemnon: The leader of the Achaean army, Agamemnon offends Achilles by taking Briseis as his war prize. He later apologizes to Achilles, but it is too late—Achilles has withdrawn from the fighting and Patroclus has been killed.
Briseis: A captive from Troy, Briseis becomes Achilles’ war prize. When Agamemnon demands that she be given to him, Achilles withdraws from the fighting in protest. After Patroclus’ death, she becomes a servant of Queen Hecuba in Hector’s household.
Hector: The eldest son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, Hector is the Trojan prince and greatest warrior. He fights bravely against the Achaeans but is ultimately killed by Achilles.
The Iliad: Book 6 Quotes
In Book 6 of Homer’s The Iliad, the tide of the war begins to turn against the Greeks as they are beset by injuries and deaths. Achilles has been ordered by Agamemnon to return Chryseis to her father, and he reluctantly agrees. However, he is further angered when Agamemnon decides to take Briseis, Achilles’ own war prize, as replacement. Achilles withdraws from the fighting in protest.
The tide of the war begins to turn against the Greeks as they are beset by injuries and deaths. In this excerpt from Book 6, Menelaus kills Adrestus and is himself gravely wounded by Alcmaeon. The battle rages on with heavy casualties on both sides.
“Now Menelaus son of Atreus stabbed Adrestus in close fight, hitting him with his spear in the middle of his breastplate where it was thinnest; he forced it through and it came out under his shoulder-blade […]. As he was coming up to him Menelaus stabbed him in close fight with his spear in the middle of his breastplate where it was thinnest; he forced it through and it came out under his shoulder-blade […]. But when Alcmaeon saw that two chieftains had fallen by one another’s hand, he ran up to Menelaus strives with might and main to drag him away or slay him outright; for anger thrilled him when he saw Adrestus lying dead […]. And now Menelaus would have perished there and then if Patroclus had not heard his cry for help.”, Homer, The Iliad: Book 6
The Iliad: Book 6 Discussion Questions
1. What is the role of the gods in Book 6?
2. What is the role of fate in Book 6?
3. What is the role of honor in Book 6?
4. How do Achilles and Agamemnon differ in their approaches to battle?
5. What are the consequences of Achilles’ decision to withdraw from battle?
The Iliad: Book 6 Review
Book 6 of Homer’s The Iliad covers the death of Patroclus. In this book, Zeus decides to intervene on behalf of the Trojans, and Xanthos and Balios (the horses of Achilles) provide him with information about the future. Apollo also intervenes on behalf of the Trojans, killing Patroclus. Achilles then seeks revenge upon Hector, but is prevented from doing so by Zeus.
The Iliad: Book 6 Resources
The Iliad: Book 6 Summary
& Analysis
New characters and events appear in rapid succession as the Greek army readies itself for besieged Troy. The first to enter the lists is Lycaon, one of Priam’s many sons, who challenges Menelaus to a duel. Lycaon is quickly killed, but not before wounding Menelaus in the thigh with his spear. Pandarus then takes up the fight, shooting an arrow at Menelaus that sails through his shield and grazes his neck. Just as Menelaus is about to kill Pandarus, Apollo intervenes and protects him.
The Iliad: Book 6 Further Reading
The Iliad: Book 6 is one of the most popular books in the series. Many people enjoy reading it because it contains a lot of action and suspense. The book is also relatively short, so it doesn’t take too long to read.
The Iliad: Book 6 Related Works
The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of the Trojan War. Book 6 of The Iliad is focused on the battle between Achilles and Hector. In this battle, Achilles kills Hector and then drags his body behind his chariot around the city of Troy.
