Summary of "The Host Musters"

    In this chapter the war finally begins, but before it does Agamemnon is checking on the preparations. When he comes to Achilles, he finds that he is not preparing, but laying around being served delicious food and wine. Agamemnon says that if Achilles wants to be powerful, he must show courage and get ready for the war. Achilles argues that he brought back Priam's son from Mt.Ida, but Agamemnon thinks he "... should have killed him... We cannot keep prisoners..." (p.53) They see the Trojans approaching and the war begins. Achilles tries to kill Cycnus, a Trojan and son of Poseidon. But "... no weapon can pierce..." (p.56) him, so Achilles kills him by strangling him. Many more die and finally both sides retreat. "All night long funeral fires burned by the seashore, while the mourning cries of women rose n the air in Troy." (p.57)