Character · Individual
Read-only identity and editorial metadata.
old knight Phoenix
Title · Direct
Phase 6 currently covers 24 processed books.
Phoenix, one of the envoys denoted by “they,” reaches the ships and tents of the Myrmidons.
“They went their way by the shore of the sounding sea, and prayed earnestly to earth-encircling Neptune that the high spirit of the son of Aeacus might incline favourably towards them. When they reached the ships and tents of the Myrmidons, they found Achilles playing on a lyre, fair, of cunning workmanship, and its cross-bar was of silver.”
Phoenix, one of the friends denoted by “them,” is physically present under Achilles’s roof.
“With this he led them forward, and bade them sit on seats covered with purple rugs; then he said to Patroclus who was close by him, ‘Son of Menoetius, set a larger bowl upon the table, mix less water with the wine, and give every man his cup, for these are very dear friends, who are now under my roof.’”
Phoenix, included in Ajax’s “we,” is physically with Achilles under Achilles’s roof.
“Be then of a more gracious mind, respect the hospitality of your own roof. We are with you as messengers from the host of the Danaans, and would fain he held nearest and dearest to yourself of all the Achaeans.”
Ulysses reports that Phoenix remained where he was, at Achilles’s tent, to sleep.
“The old man Phoenix stayed where he was to sleep, for so Achilles would have it, that he might go home with him in the morning if he so would; but he will not take him by force.”
Phoenix recalls physically travelling through Hellas during his flight.
“I then fled through Hellas till I came to fertile Phthia, mother of sheep, and to King Peleus, who made me welcome and treated me as a father treats an only son who will be heir to all his wealth.”
Phoenix recalls arriving physically in Phthia during his flight.
“I then fled through Hellas till I came to fertile Phthia, mother of sheep, and to King Peleus, who made me welcome and treated me as a father treats an only son who will be heir to all his wealth.”
Phoenix is appointed to the chosen embassy sent to Achilles, with Phoenix leading.
“Let Phoenix, dear to Jove, lead the way; let Ajax and Ulysses follow, and let the heralds Odius and Eurybates go with them”
Achilles invites Phoenix to sleep there and possibly sail with him, but refuses to compel him.
“As for Phoenix, let him sleep here that he may sail with me in the morning if he so will. But I will not take him by force”
Phoenix, fearing for the Achaean ships, bursts into tears and asks how he can remain without Achilles.
“the old knight Phoenix in his great fear for the ships of the Achaeans, burst into tears and said, ‘Noble Achilles, if you are now minded to return, and in the fierceness of your anger will do nothing to save the ships from burning, how, my son, can I remain here without you”
Phoenix recalls nurturing Achilles with wholehearted love and making him his son because he had no offspring of his own.
“It was I, Achilles, who had the making of you; I loved you with all my heart: for you would eat neither at home nor when you had gone out elsewhere, till I had first set you upon my knees, cut up the dainty morsel that you were to eat, and held the wine-cup to your lips. Many a time have you slobbered your wine in baby helplessness over my shirt; I had infinite trouble with you, but I knew that heaven had vouchsafed me no offspring of my own, and I made a son of you, Achilles, that in my hour of need you might protect me”
Achilles tells Phoenix to stop weeping, warns him about favouring Agamemnon, and invites him to share honour and stay.
“vex me no more with this weeping and lamentation, all in the cause of the son of Atreus. Love him so well, and you may lose the love I bear you. You ought to help me rather in troubling those that trouble me; be king as much as I am, and share like honour with myself; the others shall take my answer; stay here yourself and sleep comfortably in your bed”
Phoenix receives a bed of sheepskins, a rug, and fine linen and lies down until morning.
“make ready a comfortable bed for Phoenix; they therefore did so with sheepskins, a rug, and a sheet of fine linen. The old man then laid himself down and waited till morning came”
Ulysses reports that Phoenix stayed to sleep and may sail with Achilles but will not be forced.
“The old man Phoenix stayed where he was to sleep, for so Achilles would have it, that he might go home with him in the morning if he so would; but he will not take him by force”
The old knight Phoenix captains the fourth Myrmidon company.
“The old knight Phoenix was captain of the fourth company”
Phoenix is among the princes who remain with Achilles and try to comfort him in his bitter sorrow.
“save only the two sons of Atreus and Ulysses, Nestor, Idomeneus, and the knight Phoenix, who stayed behind and tried to comfort him in the bitterness of his sorrow”
Achilles stationed Phoenix, his father's follower, as truthful race umpire at the turning post.
“here he stationed his father’s follower Phoenix as umpire, to note the running, and report truly.”
Evidence records not already represented by a claim.
“Let Phoenix, dear to Jove, lead the way”
“the daughter of Phoenix”
“she took the form and voice of Phoenix”
“the knight Phoenix”
“his father’s follower Phoenix”