Page:Greek and Roman Mythology.djvu/151

 THE GREEK HEROES 137 180. In order not to be forced to give way to Achilles, Agamemnon seriously proposes to give up the siege alto- gether. But Diomedes and the aged Nestor, who rules the Messenian and Triphylian Pylus, and who surpasses all the other chieftains in wisdom and eloquence, hinder him by their opposition. Therefore the Greeks attempt once more to conquer in open battle, but suffer a complete defeat, and Agamemnon himself is wounded, like most of the other champions. The chief climax of the action, and the apparent ap- proach of victory for the hero of the drama, i.e. Achil- les, are marked by the battle round the ships (Books xiii.-xv.). Hector, the most valiant son of king Priam of Troy, and Apollo force their way into the Grecian camp and set fire to the ships, at which the destruction of the whole host seems almost inevitable. Then in the direst necessity comes a change in affairs, caused by the waver- ing of Achilles himself. Half renouncing his decision, he sends to the assistance of the hard-pressed fighters his friend Patroclus, whom he allows to put on his own armor and to take command of his Myrmidons. They drive the enemy out of the camp ; but as Patroclus, against his friend's command, pursues the Trojans, he is killed by Hector (Book xvi.). 181. At this point begins the decline of the action (Books xvii.-xxi.). The final l motive ' of dramatic inter- est is the surrender of Brisei's to Achilles and the humili- ation of Agamemnon. Yet even now Achilles's victory is only apparent, as he himself well understands. For he, the champion, has invited against himself the charge of arrogance, since, on account of the merely personal injury done him by Agamemnon, he has too long inac-