By Alex Hickey and Nia McClure

Briseis

Even though Briseis is not a prominent character in the Illiad, her role is key, especially in Book 1.By no fault of her own, she becomes a significant part of the argument between Achilles and Agamemnon, which is a catalyst for the rest of the events in the book.

Briseis

Briseis was the daughter of Briseus and as her name represented her father she really had no name of her own. Her Husband was Mynes, son of Euenus.She lived in Lyrnessus

Background of Briseis

In a battle during the Trojan War, Achillies defeated the city of Lyrnessus and killed Mynes and Briseis was taken as a prize. Given to Achilles for his deeds in battle, and with her whole family dead, Briseis became a war captive in the Greek camp. In the Illiad, Achilles loved Briseis, referring to her often as his wife or bride, comparing their relationship to that of Menelaus and Helen.

Achilles takes Briseis

Due to Agamemnon having to give up his prize to stop the plague which Apollo placed upon the Greeks, he insists on taking Achilles’ prize in exchange for his loss.This causes an argument between the two warriors resulting in Achilles withdrawing from the war, thus creating disastrous consequences for the Greeks.

Agamemnon takes Briseis

Achilles, the son of Peleus and Thetis, was the greatest of the warriors on the

Greek side. His anger was aroused when Agamemnon, brother of the

aggrieved Menelaos and leader of the Greek forces against Troy, unjustly

appropriated Achilles' prize of honour, the slave girl Briseis.

Briseis is eventually returned to Achilles, after his close friend

Patroclus is killed causing Achilles to

fight again.

Briseis Returned

Agamemnon to Achilles – “I shall come and help myself to your prize”

Achilles – “And now comes this threat from you, of all people, to rob me of my prize, in person, my hard earned prize which was a tribute from the army”

Agamemnon – “I will come in person to my hut and take away fair-cheeked Briseis”

Achilles – “You Greeks gave her to me, and now you take her back”

Agamemnon – “Go to Achilles’ hut, take fair cheeked Briseis by the hand and bring her here”

Quotes – Book 1