The Iliad: Book 23

The Achaean troops return to camp. Achilles organizes [blank_start]an elaborate funeral for Patroclus[blank_end].

Hector is [blank_start]left desecrated in the dust[blank_end].

The men eat a funeral feast, but Achilles will not [blank_start]wash the blood off of his body[blank_end] until Patroclus’ burial is finished.

Exhausted from [blank_start]combat and from grief[blank_end], Achilles falls asleep. In the night, the ghost of Patroclus appears before Achilles, asking him to [blank_start]complete the funeral[blank_end] so that Patroclus may [blank_start]pass into the world of the dead[blank_end].

Patroclus asks [blank_start]for his bones to be buried together with[blank_end] Achilles’, so that they may never be separated.

The men prepare for the funeral, putting on their arms and building Patroclus’ pyre. A massive sacrifice is made to the gods, including the [blank_start]twelve Trojans[blank_end] that [blank_start]Achilles took captive the previous day[blank_end].

At first Patroclus’ pyre does not burn, but Achilles [blank_start]prays to the gods[blank_end].

Achilles oversees a series of [blank_start]funeral games[blank_end] to celebrate the memory of Patroclus.

The first event is the [blank_start]chariot race[blank_end], and Achilles lays out rich prizes for the victors.

Apollo, still angry with Diomedes, knocks [blank_start]his whip out of his hand[blank_end], but Athena [blank_start]gives it back to him[blank_end].

The next event is the [blank_start]boxing match[blank_end]. Achilles lays out more prizes for the winners.

The next event is [blank_start]wrestling[blank_end], where Great Ajax’ strength is pitted against Odysseus knowledge of holds.

Neither Great Ajax nor Odysseus is able to gain an advantage, so Achilles tells them to [blank_start]share the prizes[blank_end].

The next event is the [blank_start]footrace[blank_end], where Odysseus, Little Ajax, and Antilochus are the participants. Ajax is winning, but Athena helps Odysseus by causing Ajax [blank_start]to slip and fall[blank_end].

In the next event, the men [blank_start]duel in full armor[blank_end]. Great Ajax and Diomedes are the two chosen champions. They fight, but are separated before [blank_start]one man can injure the other[blank_end]. Achilles declares Diomedes the winner.

Next, the men compete to [blank_start]throw a lump of iron[blank_end]. The captain Polypoetes wins the competition.

Next, the men compete in archery, attempting to shoot [blank_start]at a dove tied to a cord[blank_end]. Meriones wins the competition, and Teucer comes in second because he did not pray to Apollo.

Last, the men begin the [blank_start]spear throwing[blank_end] competition. Achilles intercedes, telling Agamemnon that he is the greatest [blank_start]spearmen by far[blank_end]. Agamemnon is automatically awarded first prize.