Charles-Antoine Coypel, “Fury of Achilles” (1737)

When plague struck the Greek camp, Achilles demanded Agamemnon return his war-prize to appease Apollo. Agamemnon complied — but seized Achilles' own prize Briseis in return. Achilles, furious at the dishonour, withdrew himself and all the Myrmidons from battle. The Iliad opens on this moment. Menis — rage — its first word.

Thetis Asks Zeus to Punish the Greeks

Achilles wept on the seashore and begged his divine mother to intercede. Thetis petitioned Zeus to let the Trojans prevail until the Greeks understood Achilles' true worth. Zeus agreed — tilting the entire war against the Greeks.

Rejects Agamemnon's Gifts

As the Greeks faced catastrophic losses, Agamemnon sent Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix with vast gifts — treasure, seven cities, the return of Briseis. Achilles refused everything. He declared he would rather sail home and live long than die at Troy fighting for someone else's honour.

Patroclus Dons His Armour — and Dies

Unable to watch the Greeks burn their ships, Patroclus begged to fight in Achilles' armour to give the Greeks hope. Achilles agreed, warning him not to advance too far. Patroclus routed the Trojans — then broke the order, pressed to the walls of Troy, and was struck down by Hector. Apollo had stripped away the divine armour first.

New Armour Forged by Hephaestus

Consumed by grief and guilt, Achilles reconciled with Agamemnon and vowed to kill Hector — knowing this sealed his own death. Thetis persuaded Hephaestus to forge new divine armour. The shield depicted the entire cosmos: cities at peace and war, harvest fields, ocean, constellations, and the dance of life and death.

Kills Hector in Single Combat

Achilles chased Hector three times around the walls of Troy while the Trojans watched from the battlements. Hector turned and faced him — and Achilles drove his spear into Hector's throat. He tied the body to his chariot and dragged it before the watching city. The Iliad approaches its end.

Returns Hector's Body to King Priam

The gods, angered by the desecration of Hector's body, sent Thetis to urge Achilles to relent. Old King Priam slipped through the Greek camp at night, alone, and knelt before Achilles, kissing the hands that had killed his son. Achilles wept with him. He returned the body and granted a truce for the funeral rites. His most human moment. The Iliad ends here.