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The Annotated Edition

ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK. by Homer

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This is a brief summary of Book 16 of Homer's *Iliad*, a crucial part of the epic.

Poet
Homer
Themes
death, friendship, mortality
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The PoemFull text

ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK.

Homer

Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and permission to lead the Myrmidons to battle. They, sallying, repulse the Trojans. Patroclus slays Sarpedon, and Hector, when Apollo had first stripped off his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus.

Public domain

Sourced from Project Gutenberg

§01Quick summary

What this poem is about

This is a brief summary of Book 16 of Homer's *Iliad*, a crucial part of the epic. Patroclus dons Achilles' armor and takes command of the Myrmidons in battle, shifting the momentum in favor of the Greeks against the Trojans. However, Hector ultimately kills him after Apollo removes his armor and Euphorbus injures him first. This death prompts Achilles to rejoin the fight and seals the fate of Troy.

§02Themes

Recurring themes

§03Line by line

Stanza by stanza, with notes

  1. Achilles, at the suit of Patroclus, grants him his own armor, and permission to lead the Myrmidons to battle.

    Editor's note

    Patroclus has been observing the Greeks endure hardships and pleads with Achilles — who is still refusing to join the battle after his dispute with Agamemnon — to allow him to wear Achilles' iconic armor. The plan is that the Trojans will *believe* Achilles has come back and become disoriented. Achilles consents but imposes a strict rule: drive the Trojans away from the ships, then halt. This moment of empathy from Patroclus and Achilles' hesitant agreement sparks the entire tragedy.

  2. They, sallying, repulse the Trojans.

    Editor's note

    The Myrmidons — Achilles' elite soldiers, who had been sitting idle — rush out of camp behind Patroclus, donning Achilles' gleaming armor. The impact is instant: the Trojans, thinking Achilles has returned to battle, retreat in fear. The Greeks take advantage of this moment and push the enemy away from the ships they were close to igniting. It’s a remarkable turn of events, achieved solely through the power of a disguise.

  3. Patroclus slays Sarpedon,

    Editor's note

    Sarpedon, the son of Zeus and a key ally of Troy, faces a pivotal moment when he is killed by Patroclus. Even Zeus, watching from Olympus, thinks about saving him but is persuaded by Hera, who warns that interfering with fate could lead to dire consequences. Ultimately, Zeus allows Sarpedon to die, and the gods honor him by transporting his body back to Lycia. This episode highlights the poem's core theme that even those who are dearly loved cannot evade death.

  4. Hector, when Apollo had first stripped off his armor and Euphorbus wounded him, slays Patroclus.

    Editor's note

    Patroclus disregards Achilles' warning and ventures too close to the walls of Troy. Apollo, who fights for the Trojans, strikes him from behind, causing his helmet to fall off and his armor to loosen. The lesser warrior Euphorbus then pierces him with a spear, and Hector ultimately delivers the fatal blow. This sequence is significant: it takes a god, a spear thrust, and a hero to bring down Patroclus, preserving his dignity while highlighting that he was doomed the moment he overstepped. In his final moments, he warns Hector that Achilles will seek revenge for his death.

§04Tone & mood

How this poem feels

The tone of this argument is direct and practical — it's a straightforward summary rather than a poetic piece — yet the events it outlines hold significant importance. Even in this condensed version, there's a feeling of inevitability, similar to reading a verdict before the trial begins. The language is simple and follows a clear order ("grants," "repulse," "slays"), making the concluding phrase — "slays Patroclus" — resonate with a muted but profound impact.

§05Symbols & metaphors

Symbols & metaphors

Achilles' armor
The armor represents more than just protection; it embodies identity. When Patroclus puts it on, he *becomes* Achilles in the eyes of the Trojans. Apollo’s act of removing it signifies the end of the disguise and Patroclus' borrowed glory. Later, when Hector claims the armor, it transforms into a symbol of hubris and foreshadows his own impending death.
The Myrmidons
Achilles' warriors have been sidelined during the war with their leader. Their sudden return to battle shows a surge of energy finally unleashed — but it’s energy lacking its true leader, which is why it won’t last.
Sarpedon's death
Sarpedon, the son of Zeus, demonstrates that even divine lineage doesn't shield one from death. He reflects Patroclus: both are cherished figures, both meet their end in this book, and their deaths send shockwaves that lead to more devastation.
Apollo's intervention
Apollo stripping Patroclus of his armor represents the gods enforcing fate. It indicates that Patroclus has reached the limits set by destiny, and what comes next is not a fair battle but an execution predetermined by the universe.

§06Historical context

Historical context

Homer's *Iliad* is an ancient Greek epic poem, believed to have been composed around the 8th century BCE, although its oral traditions date back even further to the Bronze Age. The poem spans a few weeks towards the end of the ten-year Trojan War, centering on the anger of the Greek hero Achilles. Book 16, known as the "Patrocleia," is named after Patroclus and is often regarded as the emotional core of the poem. The "argument" at the start of each book served as a common editorial tool in ancient and Renaissance times, providing readers with a guide before diving into the text. Patroclus' death is a pivotal moment in this book, marking the turning point for the second half of the *Iliad*: it ends Achilles' withdrawal, ignites his grief and fury, and leads to the killing of Hector in Book 22. This book has been translated into English by several prominent poets, including George Chapman (1611) and Alexander Pope (1715–1720).

§07FAQ

Questions readers ask

The strategy involves psychological warfare. Achilles won’t fight due to his argument with Agamemnon, but he allows Patroclus to wear his recognizable armor to make the Trojans believe Achilles has come back. The mere sight of that armor is enough to throw the Trojans into a frenzy — at least temporarily.

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