The Iliad - Episode Two - Time For Sacrifice

Summary

In this epic retelling of the lead-up to the Trojan War, Agamemnon, the king of kings, rallies the greatest Greek rulers, including reluctant heroes like Achilles and cunning Odysseus. As Odysseus attempts to avoid war and Achilles hesitates, their destinies intertwine with divine prophecies, family tensions, and immense sacrifices. Meanwhile, Troy's defender, Hector, faces his brother Paris, whose love for Helen has sparked the coming conflict. Both gods and mortals choose sides in this fated battle, as the Greeks set sail to lay siege to the fabled city of Troy.

Takeaways

• 👑 Agamemnon, the king of kings, has persuaded the major Greek rulers to follow him to Troy, including his brother Menelaus, King of Sparta.
• 🛡 Among the kings called by Agamemnon, Ulysses and Achilles are the least eager to fight, with Ulysses unwilling to leave his family and kingdom of Ithaca.
• 🔮 An oracle had prophesied to Ulysses that if he left Ithaca, he would return 20 years later, alone and poor, which greatly concerns him.
• 🎭 Ulysses tries to trick Agamemnon into believing he's gone mad to avoid the war, but his plan is uncovered when an emissary threatens his son Telemachus.
• 🏺 Achilles, despite being the greatest warrior, refuses to join the war for Agamemnon, whom he despises, until he learns of the prophecy concerning his fate.
• 🏰 In Troy, Hector blames his brother Paris for the impending war, while Paris insists that Troy is invincible and his love for Helen is true.
• 👥 King Priam is conflicted about the war, and his wife Hecuba tries to reconcile Hector and Paris, who are at odds over the situation.
• 😱 Cassandra, Priam's daughter, has the gift of prophecy but is cursed never to be believed, warning of disaster due to Paris' actions.
• 🌪️ The Greek fleet is becalmed when the wind suddenly drops, and they learn they must appease Artemis, the goddess of hunting, to continue.
• 🐑 Agamemnon is forced to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia to Artemis to ensure favorable winds for the Greek army's journey to Troy.
• ⚔️ The gods have taken sides; Apollo and Aphrodite support Troy, while Hera and Athena side with the Greeks, with the winds released to carry the Greek army to war.

Q & A

Who are some of the Greek kings mentioned in the script, and which regions do they rule?

The Greek kings mentioned include Menelaus (Sparta), Nestor (Pylos), Ajax (Salamis), Idomeneus (Crete), Diomedes (Argos), Ulysses (Ithaca), and Achilles (Phthia).

Why does Ulysses not want to join the war against Troy?

Ulysses does not want to join the war because he fears an old prophecy that foretells he would only return home 20 years later, alone and poor, if he leaves Ithaca.

How does Ulysses try to avoid going to war, and how is his ruse discovered?

Ulysses tries to avoid going to war by pretending to be mad, plowing the beach with a donkey and bull and sowing salt instead of wheat. His ruse is discovered when one of Agamemnon's emissaries threatens to harm his son, Telemachus, forcing Ulysses to stop the act and reveal his sanity.

What is the prophecy that Thetis keeps hidden from Achilles?

Thetis knows a prophecy that if Achilles goes to Troy, he will achieve eternal glory but die young. If he stays in Phthia, he will live a long and peaceful life, but his name will eventually be forgotten.

Why does Achilles initially refuse to join the Greek army?

Achilles initially refuses to join the Greek army because he does not wish to fight for the honor of a deceived husband (Menelaus) or to expand the empire of a king (Agamemnon) whom he despises.

What changes Achilles’ mind about joining the war?

After hearing the prophecy from his mother Thetis, Achilles considers his options and ultimately decides to seek glory and join the war at Troy, knowing he might die young.

How does Hector react to his brother Paris’s actions and the impending Greek invasion?

Hector is furious with Paris, believing his arrogance and reckless love for Helen has brought destruction upon Troy. While Paris insists that Troy is invincible, Hector warns that the Greeks are coming not just to invade but to destroy their city.

Why is Cassandra's gift of prophecy a curse for her?

Cassandra's gift of prophecy is a curse because, although she can accurately predict the future, the god Apollo, angry at her refusal to be with him, cursed her so that no one would believe her predictions.

Why does Artemis oppose the Greek departure, and what must Agamemnon do to appease her?

Artemis opposes the Greek departure because Agamemnon insulted her by killing a sacred doe and boasting that not even Artemis could have done better. To appease her, Agamemnon must sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia.

How do the gods become involved in the Trojan War, and which sides do they take?

The gods take sides in the Trojan War. Apollo and Artemis support Troy, while Hera and Athena side with the Greeks. Aphrodite supports Troy to protect the love between Paris and Helen, while Poseidon and Ares are undecided and may switch allegiances.