The Iliad: Book 21 Quiz

Achilles pursues the Trojans to [blank_start]the ford of the river Xanthus[blank_end]. The Trojan force has split in half: one group runs back to Troy, while the other group tries to [blank_start]cross the river to escape Achilles[blank_end].

The scared Trojans are described as being like [blank_start]locusts fleeing a fire[blank_end].

Achilles rushes into the water, [blank_start]slaughtering many Trojans in the river[blank_end]. Achilles grows so tired from killing Trojans that he [blank_start]takes twelve young Trojans alive[blank_end].

Achilles also comes across Priam’s son Lycaon, who Achilles had previously [blank_start]captured and sold into slavery[blank_end].

Lycaon managed to return back to Troy, and had only been home for [blank_start]twelve days[blank_end] before running into Achilles again. Achilles, with irony, calls Lycaon’s return from slavery [blank_start]a miracle[blank_end].

Lycaon begs for his life again, but Achilles has no mercy, saying, “Come, friend, you [blank_start]too must die. Why moan about it so?[blank_end]” Achilles [blank_start]kills[blank_end] Lycaon.

[blank_start]Achilles[blank_end] continues killing Trojans in the river, clogging the stream with blood and bodies.

Xanthus, the god of the river, takes the form of a man and asks Achilles [blank_start]to stop killing Trojans in the river[blank_end].

Achilles agrees to [blank_start]stop fighting in the river[blank_end], but not to stop killing Trojans.

Xanthus, angered by Achilles’ resistance, [blank_start]calls on Apollo for help[blank_end]. Achilles is enraged by Xanthus’ interference and plunges into the river [blank_start]to kill more Trojans[blank_end].

Xanthus [blank_start]flings the corpses out of his river[blank_end] while saving the Trojans still living.

Achilles begins to fight the river, and Xanthus [blank_start]creates enormous waves to drown Achilles[blank_end].

Achilles runs ever higher up the embankment, trying to escape the river, but Xanthus [blank_start]nearly pulls him down to his death[blank_end].

Poseidon and Athena reassure Achilles. They tell him that he must [blank_start]keep fighting until he kills Hector[blank_end], and that afterward he must [blank_start]return to the ships[blank_end].

Xanthus calls to the river Simois to help him drown Achilles, but Hera intervenes, calling her son Hephaestus to [blank_start]battle the river with his fire[blank_end].

The gods begin to fight among themselves. Ares charges Athena, but Athena quickly [blank_start]beats down his challenge[blank_end], striking him with [blank_start]a stone[blank_end].

Athena then attacks Aphrodite, who [blank_start]retreats immediately alongside Ares[blank_end].

Poseidon tries to goad Apollo into battle, but Apollo refuses to fight, insisting that [blank_start]he will not fight over mortals[blank_end].

Apollo’s sister Artemis calls him a coward, and Hera, overhearing Artemis’ taunt, [blank_start]boxes the goddess’ ears[blank_end].

Artemis and her mother Leto withdraw from the battle, and Artemis complains to Zeus about [blank_start]her harsh treatment from Hera[blank_end].

Priam watches the carnage wrought by Achilles from the gates of Troy. He orders that [blank_start]the Trojan gates be opened[blank_end] in order to [blank_start]let the routed troops back into the city[blank_end].

Apollo puts [blank_start]courage[blank_end] into the heart of the Trojan prince Agenor.

Agenor stands against Achilles but cannot [blank_start]pierce his godly armor[blank_end].

When Achilles attacks, Apollo [blank_start]lifts Agenor to safety[blank_end] and takes his place.

Apollo [blank_start]runs from Achilles[blank_end], creating a decoy that allows other Trojans to escape.