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Book 23

Chapter 23

66 passages28 observations · 12 observed placesSHA 3e3ced9e6662

Passage 1

Lines 45

Canonical text · read-only

Source text

THUS did they make their moan throughout the city, while the Achaeans when they reached the Hellespont went back every man to his own ship. But Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his brave comrades saying, ‘Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus, in due honour to the dead. When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here.’

Location presence

1
·Direct

The Achaeans reached the Hellespont before dispersing to their ships.

See evidence text
the Achaeans when they reached the Hellespont went back every man to his own ship

Claims for this passage

2
Achilles·Character·Direct

Achilles kept the Myrmidons together and directed a chariot-borne communal lament for Patroclus before supper.

See evidence text
But Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his brave comrades saying, ‘Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus, in due honour to the dead. When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here.’
Myrmidons·Character·Direct

The Myrmidons, called famed horsemen and Achilles's trusted friends, were ordered to approach Patroclus with horses and chariots and mourn together.

See evidence text
Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his brave comrades saying, ‘Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus, in due honour to the dead. When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here.’

Published summary

After the Achaeans return to their ships, Achilles keeps the Myrmidons together and orders them to drive around Patroclus, mourn him fully, and then unyoke and eat.

Passage preview

Book 23 · Passage 1

THUS did they make their moan throughout the city, while the Achaeans when they reached the Hellespont went back every man to his own ship. But Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his brave comrades saying, ‘Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends, not yet, forsooth, let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus, in due honour to the dead. When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here.’