ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK. by Homer: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This is a summary of Book Six of Homer's *Iliad*, which is one of the most emotionally charged parts of the epic.
The poem
The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by the advice of Helenus enters Troy, and recommends it to Hecuba to go in solemn procession to the temple of Minerva; she with the matrons goes accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris, and exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector and Andromache, and Paris, having armed himself in the mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally from the gate together.
This is a summary of Book Six of Homer's *Iliad*, which is one of the most emotionally charged parts of the epic. It depicts Hector stepping away from the battlefield to gather support for Troy, culminating in his poignant goodbye to his wife Andromache and their infant son before he and Paris return to battle. Consider it a "previously on" segment leading into one of the most relatable moments in ancient literature.
Line-by-line
The battle is continued. The Trojans being closely pursued, Hector by the advice of Helenus enters Troy...
...and recommends it to Hecuba to go in solemn procession to the temple of Minerva...
she with the matrons goes accordingly. Hector takes the opportunity to find out Paris...
...and exhorts him to return to the field of battle. An interview succeeds between Hector and Andromache...
...and Paris, having armed himself in the mean time, comes up with Hector at the close of it, when they sally from the gate together.
Tone & mood
Solemn and straightforward at first glance, but filled with sorrow beneath. The argument is expressed in simple prose, yet even in summary, the heaviness of what lies ahead — Hector's death, Troy's fall — weighs on every sentence. There's no sentimentality here, just the quiet dignity of people fulfilling their obligations.
Symbols & metaphors
- The temple of Minerva (Athena) — Athena is the goddess of wisdom and warfare, and she consistently supports the Greeks in the *Iliad*. The sight of Trojan women praying at her temple is deeply ironic—they're pleading for assistance from a goddess who has already taken the side of their foes. Their visit to the temple reflects both their devotion and the hopelessness of their situation.
- Hector's armor — Throughout the *Iliad*, armor symbolizes the identity of a warrior. When Paris is discovered unarmed at home, it highlights his shame and neglect. When he puts on his armor again at the end of the book, it indicates a brief return to duty — even though readers recognize that Paris's commitment will never match Hector's.
- The city gate — The gate of Troy stands as the boundary between home — representing family, safety, and life — and the battlefield where death lurks. Each time a warrior steps through it, Homer highlights the stakes involved. The scene of Hector and Paris walking out together through the gate serves as the book's powerful final image.
- Andromache — Andromache embodies all that the war is tearing apart: marriage, family, and hope for the future. Her appeal to Hector goes beyond her own sorrow—it echoes the pain of all those who suffer loss in conflict. Interestingly, her name in Greek translates to something like 'battle of a man,' which is a harsh irony for a woman shaped by what war robs her of.
Historical context
Homer's *Iliad* is among the earliest pieces of Western literature, written in ancient Greece around the 8th century BCE, although its tales take place centuries earlier during the legendary Trojan War. Book Six is positioned near the center of the epic and is often highlighted as the poem's most poignant moment — a brief respite from the violence where we see warriors as sons, husbands, and fathers. The argument, a prose summary that introduces each book, was a standard feature in classical and Renaissance editions, assisting readers in navigating lengthy texts. The translator's choice of "Minerva" for Athena reflects the Latin tradition that influenced European scholarship for many years. The scene between Hector and Andromache became a reference point for later writers contemplating war, duty, and the sacrifices made by those who remain behind.
FAQ
No, this isn't a debate. Back in the days of classical and Renaissance publishing, an 'argument' referred to a brief prose summary at the beginning of a chapter or book. It was there to inform readers about what to expect. You can think of it as a plot synopsis or an expanded chapter title. It served as a reading aid rather than being part of the poem itself.
His brother Helenus, who can see the future, suggests it. The practical reason is to arrange a religious procession to Athena's temple — a way to seek the gods' assistance when times are tough. However, Hector also takes this opportunity to locate Paris and shame him back into battle.
Paris is the man whose kidnapping of Helen ignited the entire war, and throughout the *Iliad*, he comes off as vain, indulgent, and unwilling to deal with the fallout from his choices. In Book Six, we find him at home, essentially sulking. Hector's disdain for him is hardly hidden.
Andromache is Hector's wife. Their encounter in Book Six stands out as it's the most intimate and domestic moment in a poem that is otherwise filled with martial themes. She pleads with him not to return to battle, fully aware that he will meet his end there. He responds that he understands, but feels bound by honor and duty to fight. This scene offers the starkest portrayal in the *Iliad* of the true costs of war — not only in terms of lives lost but also the impact on those who love them.
Exactly — and Homer understands that his audience is aware of this. Athena is one of the gods most antagonistic toward Troy throughout the epic. The Trojan women praying to her creates a moment of profound dramatic irony: they are seeking help from a goddess who has already turned against them. This highlights just how desperate and ultimately doomed their situation truly is.
The argument is actually prose — a summary contributed by editors and translators, not by Homer himself. The *Iliad* is a poem composed in dactylic hexameter, which is one of the most challenging verse forms in ancient Greek. Those arguments were added later on to assist readers in navigating the story through its 24 lengthy books.
Hector is killed by Achilles in Book Twenty-Two, marking one of the poem's most heartbreaking moments. Andromache hears about his death while weaving, highlighting the harsh contrast between her domestic life and the violence of the battlefield. After the fall of Troy, she is captured and taken as a slave. Tragically, their son Astyanax is thrown from the city walls by the Greeks.
For centuries, European scholars primarily used Latin, which referred to Greek gods by their Roman names. For example, Minerva is the Roman equivalent of Athena. Earlier English translations, such as Pope's well-known version from the 18th century, adhered to this Latin naming convention. In contrast, modern translations typically use the Greek names.