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Friday. Sept. 13

(re-ordered)

Achilles pursues Trojans on the battlefield down into the Scamander River, even contesting with the god of the river to claim them. Achilles asks for divine aid, arguing that his descent from Zeus is greater than the lineage of the river god. Ancestry determines status and privilege, even among the immortals.

Achilles then encounters Lycaon, a son of Priam whom he had already captured once and sold as a slave, but who was ransomed for 100 cattle and returned to Troy. Lycaon pleads again for his life, promising an even greater ransom this time, and asking for compassion from Achilles because he’s only a half-brother of Hector, and innocent of Patroclus’ death. But Achilles is merciless, arguing that if the great, like Patroclus and even himself, are fated to die at a young age, why should any Trojan live? It seems that Achilles is following the warrior code only when it suits his anger. 

On the other hand, the gods fight on both sides of this war, but don’t follow the same rules or face the same consequences. Only humans can truly show bravery or cowardice, because only they can win glory by facing death.