In the conclusion of Book Nine of The Iliad, the great warrior Achilles sums up his feelings and thoughts in one complete line, yet still the heart in me swells up in anger, when I remember the disgrace that he wrought upon me before Argives, the son of Atreus, as if I were some dishonoured vagabond. (Il 9.646-7) After all that time, nine books worth, Achilles could not forgive Agamemnon for his disgracing deed which led to the defeat of the Achaean's. .
Book One of the poem opens nine years after the start of the Trojan War. The poem goes on to speak of the Achaean soldiers that caught two Trojan maidens, Chrysei and Briseis, the two maidens that would later be the destruction of a country. The two girls are then given out as rewards of battle, Chrysei's to the king of Achaens, Agamemnon and Briseis is awarded to Achilles the great warrior. The two girls? families are devostated and Chryseis? father, Chryses, priest of Apollo, begs Agamemnon to return his daughter. Sons of Atreus and you other strong-greaved Achains, to you may the gods grant who have their homes on Olympos Priam's city to be plundered and fair homecoming thereafter, but may you give me back my own daughter and take the ransom, giving honor to Azeus? son who strikes form afar, Apollo. (Il.1.17-21) However A00gamemnon continues to refuse him and so Chryses prays to the great god Apollo to have his daughter returned. .
In answer Apollo sends a great plague over the Achaean camp that spreads rapidly killing many. After nine days of plague, Achilles goes to a soothsayer, Calchas, asking for the reason behind this great plague. Calchas confides in Achilles and tells him that Agamemnon's refusal to return Chryseis has led to this plague. Outraged when he hears of this, Agamemnon return the girl and claims that if he must return Chryseis then Achilles must give him Briseis. I care nothing about you. I take no account of your anger.
