Summary

In Chapter 36, Achilles returns to the Greek camp after dragging Hector’s body three times around the walls of Troy, an act Briseis believes symbolically demarcates Greek victory over the Trojans. The Myrmidons fall silent and some even cry when Achilles finally dismounts his chariot, lays his hands — red with Hector’s blood — on Patroclus’ chest, and proclaims the death of his enemy. Afterwards, Agamemnon personally escorts Achilles to his compound for a grand feast while the Myrmidons celebrate amongst themselves. As the evening wears on, Automedon instructs Briseis and Iphis to stop pouring wine and barricade themselves in the women’s hut. Despite Automedon’s warning to avoid the raucous soldiers, Briseis sneaks through the camp late at night to cover Hector’s decimated body with a white sheet.

In Chapter 37, Barker resumes the third-person omniscient narrative perspective to describe how Achilles sneaks...