In Greek mythology, Brisēís (Greek Βρισηίς) was a Trojan widow (from Lyrnessus). She was abducted during the Trojan War by Achilles upon the death of her three brothers and husband, King Mynes of Lyrnessus. After an oracle forced Agamemnon to give up his woman, Chryseis, he ordered his heralds, Talthybius and Eurybates, to take Briseis from Achilles as compensation. Achilles was offended by this seizure and, as a result, withdrew from the fighting. Despite Agamomnon's grand offers of treasure and women, he did not return to the fray until the death of Patroclus. The retirement of Achilles to his tent is the first event of Homer's Iliad. With Achilles removed from the conflict, the Trojans enjoyed a period of success. After Achilles' return to the fighting, Agamemnon restored Briseis to him. Briseis's real name was Hippodameia, "Briseis" being a patronym as a daughter of Briseus. In the Iliad, Briseis is Achilles' captive, given to him by the Greek army as a prize. He also loves her, comparing their relationship with that of man and wife (he refers to her as his wife and bride often).
Are the Atreidai of all mortal men the only ones who love their wives? I think not. Every sane decent fellow loves his own and cares for her, as in my heart I loved Briseis, though I won her by the spear.[1]
Achilles is quite angry at Agamemnon, and seethes in his tent. He is, understandably, made furious by the thought of Agamemnon sleeping with her. When the quarrel is resolved,and Achilles returns to the fighting, Agamemnon swears to Achilles that he and Briseis never shared a bed.[2] In the medieval romances Briseis becomes Briseida and is the daughter of Calchas. She loves and is loved by Troilus and then Diomedes. She is later confused with Chryseis and it is under variations of that name that the character is developed further, becoming Shakespeare's Cressida .
References to Briseis in art
In The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley, Briseis fell in love with Achilles and chose to leave Troy to be with him. The novel "Daughter of Troy," by Sarah B. Franklin is written from Briseis's point of view. In Orson Scott Card's Shadow of the Hegemon, Petra Arkanian is codenamed Briseis. Briseis is also featured in the film Troy. In the film Briseis (Rose Byrne) falls in love with Achilles (Brad Pitt).
