ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK. by Homer: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This is the argument (a short prose summary) for Book Nine of Homer's *Iliad*, which tells the story of the Greek embassy sent to convince the warrior Achilles to return to battle against Troy.
The poem
By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phœnix, and Ajax to the tent of Achilles with proposals of reconciliation. They execute their commission, but without effect. Phœnix remains with Achilles; Ulysses and Ajax return.
This is the argument (a short prose summary) for Book Nine of Homer's *Iliad*, which tells the story of the Greek embassy sent to convince the warrior Achilles to return to battle against Troy. Agamemnon, feeling the pressure from the heavy losses suffered by the Greeks, sends three of his top men — Ulysses (Odysseus), Phoenix, and Ajax — to present gifts and apologies to Achilles. However, Achilles firmly refuses their offers. Phoenix chooses to remain with Achilles, while Ulysses and Ajax return without success.
Line-by-line
By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phœnix, and Ajax...
They execute their commission, but without effect.
Phœnix remains with Achilles; Ulysses and Ajax return.
Tone & mood
The tone is serious and tightly packed — this is a prose argument that presents the facts without embellishment, yet even in this stripped-down style, the heaviness of failure is palpable. There's no editorializing and no sympathy extended to either side. The neutral, almost bureaucratic simplicity makes the outcome seem unavoidable, reflecting the fatalistic mood of the *Iliad* overall.
Symbols & metaphors
- The embassy of three — Sending three envoys — a persuader (Ulysses), a father-figure (Phoenix), and a peer (Ajax) — captures the full spectrum of human appeals: reason, love, and solidarity. Their combined failure highlights that Achilles' anger has put him out of reach of normal social connections.
- Phoenix remaining behind — Phoenix staying with Achilles instead of going back represents the unbreakable bond of parental love. It also highlights Achilles' ongoing isolation from the Greek community, as Phoenix's presence offers comfort but doesn't help him reintegrate.
- The return of Ulysses and Ajax empty-handed — Their empty-handed return highlights the limits of words and honor in the face of a grief-fueled, pride-driven retreat. It hints at the additional suffering the Greeks will endure as a direct result of this refusal.
Historical context
Book Nine of the *Iliad* takes place in the tenth year of the Trojan War. Achilles stepped back from fighting in Book One after Agamemnon publicly shamed him by taking his war-prize, the captive woman Briseis. By the time we reach Book Nine, the Greeks are facing a serious defeat, prompting Agamemnon to finally offer Briseis back along with a wealth of gifts, including treasure, land, and honor. The embassy scene is among the most studied parts of ancient literature because it highlights a deep philosophical dilemma: unlike other heroes in Homer’s works, Achilles openly questions if the heroic code of glory and mutual obligation is truly worth the sacrifices it demands. The "argument" included here is a later editorial addition—essentially a prose summary of the book's events—often found in early printed English editions of Homer.
FAQ
In earlier printed versions of lengthy poems, an 'argument' refers to a brief prose summary located at the beginning of each book or canto. It provides an overview of the events before diving into the verses, similar to a chapter synopsis. Milton employed this technique in *Paradise Lost*.
Achilles refuses because Agamemnon's insult — taking away his prize in front of everyone — cuts deep into his identity as a warrior. In the heroic world of the *Iliad*, honor isn't merely about pride; it's the social currency that validates your worth. No amount of treasure can erase that public humiliation, and Achilles makes this clear to Ulysses.
Phoenix is Achilles' former tutor, the man who essentially raised him. His presence in the embassy aims to reach Achilles' personal loyalty and sense of family, rather than focusing on duty or potential rewards. The fact that even Phoenix is unsuccessful — yet decides to stay instead of returning — highlights just how fully Achilles has distanced himself from his community.
Nestor, the oldest Greek commander, serves as the poem's trusted source of wisdom and strategy. He often steps in as a counselor when the other leaders let pride or emotion cloud their judgment. His advice in this situation is straightforward: the Greeks are on the losing side, and the best way to turn things around is to mend the rift with Achilles.
The argument is essentially a prose summary, not Homer's original verse. Book Nine of the *Iliad* is composed in dactylic hexameter, which is the traditional meter for ancient Greek epic poetry. You can think of the argument like a back-cover blurb for a single chapter.
The Greeks are still facing heavy losses. Zeus had assured Achilles' mother, Thetis, that the Greeks would struggle in her son's absence, and that promise is now coming true. The events of Book Nine lead to the deaths of important characters and ultimately drive Achilles back into battle — but only after the death of his dear friend Patroclus.
Each appeals in a unique way. Ulysses, being the most convincing speaker of the Greeks, offers gifts and glory formally. Ajax, who is closest in strength to Achilles and embodies a warrior spirit, connects through comradeship. Phoenix serves as the emotional touchstone, acting like a father figure. Together, they represent reason, solidarity, and love — yet they still fail.
Absolutely. The *Iliad* is at its core about the conflict that arises when personal pride clashes with institutional power, and it explores the human toll of war on all sides. Book Nine, in particular, raises a question that remains difficult to answer: when an institution has wronged you, do you still owe it your loyalty?