GRST 209 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Pandarus, Chryseis, Chryses

• School: University of Calgary
• Department: Greek and Roman Studies
• Course: GRST 209
• Professor: Peter Toohey

Document Summary

Synopsis (1) after an invocation to the muses, the story launches in medias res (in the middle of things) towards the end of the trojan war between the trojans and the besieging greeks. Chryses, a trojan priest of apollo, offers the greeks wealth for the return of his daughter. Chryseis, a captive of agamemnon, the greek leader. Although most of the greek army is in favour of the offer, agamemnon refuses. Apollo causes a plague throughout the greek army. After nine days of plague, achilles, the leader of the myrmidon contingent, calls an assembly to solve the plague problem. Chryseis to her father, but also decides to take achilles"s captive, briseis, as compensation. Angered, achilles declares that he and his men will no longer fight for. Odysseus takes a ship and brings chryseis to her father, whereupon apollo ends the plague. In the meantime, agamemnon"s messengers take briseis away.