Iliad Book 6

Rodney Merrill speaks about his translation of the Iliad.

Achilles keeps dragging Hektor; angered, Zeus says he must give up the body; with Hermes’ aid Priam goes to ransom it; they meet, Achilles restrains the battle, and Hektor is buried.

In sleep, Achilles sees Patróklos; he mourns; the winds light the pyre. He holds funeral games: chariot-race, boxing, wrestling, foot-race, spear-fight, hurling a lump, archery, and spear-throw.

Achilles kills many men in the river, who begs him to stop; refused, he attacks and chases him; Hera sends Hephaistos to quell the river; the gods oppose each other; the Trojans go into the city.

Zeus sends the gods to aid both sides; Achilles speaks and fights with Aineías, whom Poseidon saves, then faces Hektor, whom Apollo saves, but Achilles keeps on rampaging and killing.