Achilles and Agamemnon

The war entered its tenth year and many Greeks were tired of fighting. And they would have fled, if Odysseus and Nestor had not held them back with their words. Then Achilles and Agamemnon quarreled fiercely over a girl. And this is how it happened:

Chryseida and Briseida

A few Greeks came out and took over a nearby state. Along with the food they took, they took two girls, Chryseida and Briseida. Chryseida, the daughter of Chryse, who was a priest of Apollo, was given to serve Agamemnon. Briseisis was given to Achilles.

Chryssi's supplication

In a few days, however, a beggar, Chrysides' father, came to the camp with rich gifts and asked for his daughter back. All the Greeks, when they heard the old priest, who was also a priest of Apollo, tell them of his pain, took pity on him and said: it is right to give her back. But Agamemnon was not willing, and drove the old priest away with harsh words.

Apollo

Chrisis left and as he walked along the beach, he cursed the Greeks and begged Apollo to punish them. The god listened to him, and in anger he went down to a mountain near Troy and began to kill first the mules and dogs of the Greeks with his shuttles. And when he saw that Agamemnon would not change his mind, he began to kill the people as well.

The retreat of Agamemnon

Then, however, Agamemnon relented and sent Chryseis back to her father with rich gifts. Immediately the evil stopped and the Greeks were at peace. Agamemnon, however, ordered Briseis to be brought to him by Achilles.

The anger of Achilles

Achilles was angry at the insult, and if Athena had not descended invisibly to restrain him, he would have struck Agamemnon with his sword. Achilles obeyed Athena and gave Briseis. But he became angry and withdrew to his ships, with his friend Patroclus, and did not fight.

Meeting Menelaus - Paris

When the Trojans learned of Achilles' anger, they took courage, went out more regularly to the plain and began to defeat the Greeks. Even Paris, who was afraid of being killed, came out to fight.

One day Menelaus saw him among the Trojans and shouted loudly to him:

- Cowardly Paris, this war is for us. Let's count the two of us, and whoever wins gets Helen and makes peace.

The duel

The two leaders, Hector and Agamemnon, agreed, but Paris was afraid. Then Hector dismissed him and the two armies laughed. Paris was ashamed and came forward. He threw the staff at Menelaus first, but it hit the shield and did nothing to him. With a cannonball Menelaus pierced his shield and tore his garment. Then he drew his sword, but Paris lost his temper and ran and hid in the walls. The deal was then broken, for a Trojan threw a shuttlecock at Menelaus.

And the war started again, more savage.