The Finale

Changing some parts in the story is a good idea to shorten that lengthy piece of art. As I finished the book, I realized that the main problem is the interference of the so called “Gods ". The chapter that I will change is Chapter 3: How Menelaus and Alexandros fought a duel together, and what came of it.


Then Hector proposed both armies lay down their arms and let two men fight, the two men are Menelaus and Alexandros, also known as Paris. Menelaus agreed to it for he knew he was better than Paris. Paris may had some doubts on his abilities but with the help of his brother, he gathered enough courage and is determined to risk his life for the sake of Troy and for the sake of Helen. King Agamemnon, being the faithful king as he was, proposed to first offer gifts to the gods and make a pact that only Menelaus and Paris would fight and whoever wins would have his prize. The prize was Helen and all her wealth.

Menelaus and Paris prepared and armed themselves with the best armors they need and set foot on the battlefield. The heralds brought the gifts needed and King Agamemnon started the sacred ritual. The ritual went well. Menelaus and Paris then started the battle. It was an epic battle. No one could determine who was the better fighter. The fight lasted for a day and Hector stopped the fight for the men to rest. Agamemnon ,although wanted to know who wins and wants to end it there,agreed with Hector for he knows that if it lasts His brother might get killed.

They retreated and called it a day. Helen comforted and attended to Paris' needs.Menelaus, exhausted from the battle on the other side, ate and rested well but with anger in his heart knowing that it still is not finished. The day where it all ends came. Menelaus defeated Paris for he had rested while Paris lack sleep because he tire himself from some dirty acts. Achaeans cheered for they had won the battle. Hector gave Menelaus his prize and King Agamemnon made a truce between them. Ending the 10 - year conflict. King Agamemnon left and headed home while Hector and the Trojans rested and finally can breathe easily for they regained peace in their country.

Patroclos : Blood-lust and Courage

Patroclus is a companion who never leaves your side, a cousin who always cares about you and a warrior ready to die for the sake of honor. He was a good man who gave hope to the Achaeans who almost lost all courage that was left in them.He was sent by Achilles, according to the book "The Iliad” and Achilles ordered Patroclos to wear Achilles' armor for the men of the Trojans to sense fear, Fear that would help the Achaeans in overcoming the wrath of the Hector and his ever loyal men.

Patroclos was so good at handling spears and whenever he throws it, one would never doubt that patroclos can't hit something. Although he was trained well and experienced in battle, as any mortal would, He also died. He died by the hands of Hector. Hector Priamides thought that the man he killed was Achilles but when he stripped the armor of the enemy, he realized that the man is not Achilles but Achilles’ cousin, Patroclos. Hector immediately stripped his armor but he couldn’t drag the body because Achaeans came to the scene to atleast bring back the body of Patroclos to Achilles for Patroclos to have a formal burial. The Achaeans tried their best to guard and drag the body out of the battle but they are having a hard time trying to do so because Hector ordered the Trojans to get the body. Upon hearing Hector’s orders, the Trojans seemed like carrion dogs that are hungry for the price and honor in getting the body. They also want revenge for the comrades of theirs that Patroclos killed without mercy. The Fight for the body of Patroclos took a long time. Many died in the pursuit of the body but it seems that both sides only loses equal number of men that is why it looks as if it won’t end until one of the parties give up on retrieving the body. The death of Patroclos brought grief to Achilles because Patroclos was dear to him.

Sometimes too much of courage leads men to death. Courage should be put to good use. It is only for the purpose of saving someone’s life and the like. Patroclos truly showed Courage though he forgot what Achilles said to him and continued on killing and killing many more Trojans concluding that his courage somewhat turned into Boastfulness, Greed and Blood lust.

The Warrior Achilles

Blood-lust, cunning and Ferocious, That is Achilles. He is one of the best fighters Greece had ever had.He sacked many cities with his monstrous strength. A brave warrior indeed but even though some thinks he has no weaknesses, well I say he has. He showed grief and sadness for the loss of his prize, Briseis. He so loved the woman that he sulked in his tent while the battle rages on just to show Agamemnon that it is wrong to mess with Achilles.

Achilles succeeded in showing Agamemnon his fault. The battle then showed signs that with just a little push harder the Trojans would successfully win the battle and destroy the Achaean army. If that day didn’t end it would be the end of the voyage of the Achaeans. Luckily the sun did go down and Hector had no choice but to withdraw for the night.

Agamemnon then realized his fault and lowered his pride. He offered Achilles many gifts. He even willingly offered Briseis back. He swore on solemn oath that he did not touch Briseis. Even though the gifts that Agamemnon is tempting still Achilles resisted the offer. For me Achilles is not acting like a King anymore. He acts like selfish man who does not care for the welfare of his fellow comrades. He is like a robbed man that refused to receive the goods taken from him when the robber repented and returned what is not rightfully his. This arrogance of his will be the reason for the defeat of Achaeans from the Trojans. Such a dreadful fate the Achaeans have. It will turn out that the lives of those men, who died in that battle, will be wasted.If only Achilles helped, if only Agamemnon did not anger Achilles and if only the Gods did not intervene in the battle the tables should not turn around like what it did and Helen would be in Menelaus arms that would result to the end of the war.

Achilles is such a strong man but as they say brains beats brawns. No man who entered a forest would survive if he knows nothing of basic survival techniques. Wit is what Achilles lacks and that makes him just a normal warrior for me.

Hera's judgement

Hera is the Goddess of Marriage. A young beautiful woman, said to be the most beautiful of all goddesses, even beating out Aphrodite. She was very vindictive and never forgot an injury that she felt. Hera aided the Achaeans in the Trojan War.


I agree that Hera values equality in battle. It is stated in the book 2 of Iliad that she scolded Zeus for deceiving Thetis. She also tried to stop Zeus from intervening in the fight between The Great Achilles and King Agamemnon. Even though she tried her best, she failed because if she continued to argue with Zeus she knows that Zeus would hurt her as Zeus stated that:” Silence please and sit down, and do what I tell you. All the gods in Olympos will not help you if I come near and lay my heavy hands upon you."



Another instance of her being fair is stated in book 5 where she sent Athena to help Diomedes. She sent help to Diomedes because Ares, the God of War, has taken the side of the Trojans. Ares was looking for Diomedes to end his life because Diomedes has wounded Aphrodite. With the help of Athena, Diomedes wounded Ares that made him leave the battlefield among the Trojans and Achaeans. With these events in mind, I think of Hera as a fair and an unbiased goddess.


However, as anyone could/may doubt about her fairness, I had a doubt about it, too which led me to disagree with the statement about her fairness. An incident in book four where Hera ordered Zeus to send Athena down to the battlefield to make the Trojans break the oath and attack the Achaeans. Athena was glad to do what was asked. Athena took form of the doughty warrior Laodocos Antenor’s son and persuaded Pandaros, an archer. Pandaros was a fool to forget the oath. He then attacked Menelaus using a bow and arrow. The arrow had hit Menelaus but Athena had helped him by sweeping it away. Hera knew this would all happen. This shows that she wanted trouble for the Trojans thus I conclude that she is unfair.