Farewell

After the war, I was grief stricken with the loss of all my sons. My wife was the only source of any consolation. We went about rebuilding Troy but after all the men we lost, it will be a long time until it was like before the war. I never saw Troy rebuilt to its former glory because Achilles son, Neoptolemus killed me at the altar of Zeus. He was also a huge ass and took Hektor's wife Andromache as his slave. I just wish the poor girl will be rescued or kill herself in some way rather then be with that heathen. It's off to the after life with me! I will watch over my wife until she is ready to join me in the after world.

Cheers!

P.s., this is what happened when I died. Hope it isn't too gruesome for you!

"Tag Files on Your Desktop." Google. Teachertech.blog, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.google.com/search?hl=en>.

It's all over

Everyone else was safe inside the walls except Hektor. I tried to get him inside but he was too stubborn to listen to me. Achilles and him fight, Hektor charges, Athene tricks Hektor, Achilles kills Hektor. It was all a blur to me, yet the world seemed to go in slow motion. I saw Hektor slowly falling and Achilles laughing when Hektor asked that his body could be given to me and my family. I had to watch my son being dragged by a chariot, the hardest I have ever had to witness. Those bastards took turns desecrating his body. I could barely watch, but I couldn't take my eyes off of Hektor. After a sleepless night spent with my family, I heard tell that Achilles held the funeral for Patroklos. They sacrificed 12 of our men that Achilles had captured. At this point I don't even care anymore. My sons have been taken from this life and I won't see them again until I myself cross over. There was little time to mourn before Thetis came to me with instructions to ransom for Hektor's body. I left with Idaeus with all the treasures to trade for and we were guided to Achilles tent by a Greek soldier. I had to beg Achilles to agree with my proposal but he definitely listened when I told him to think of his own father and his fallen friend Patroklos. Crying, Achilles finally accepted my ransom. I slept in his tent but in a dream Hermes said I would not survive the night so Idaeus and I snuck out of the camp with Hektor's body. Achilles allowed for a reprieve from battle while we prepared Hektor's body and held his funeral.

I could see the funeral for Patroklos being held from my seat on the wall. I believe I would have liked him had he not been a Greek. But I think that Patroklos' funeral is foreshadowing Achilles death. I personally believe he has it coming, he killed off most of my family and I'm left to clean up all the destruction that's occurred. It's like Achilles is holding the funeral for himself that he will never have. Good, I can't wait until the bastard dies.

"Ides of March: What Is It?" Google. National Geographic, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2013. <http://www.google.com/search?site=imghp>.

Heartache and Heartbreak

Achilles got his new armor and also the gifts Agamemnon had originally promised him. Achilles horse spoke to him saying that his time is near and Achilles pretty much told him to can it. If it were my horse that was speaking to me, I'd take it pretty seriously. It's a TALKING HORSE for crying out loud. I heard tell that Zeus said the gods could get involved now...like they haven't been already! But anyways, they apparently decided to sit back and watch the humans wreak havoc on each other. Hektor challenged Achilles once again and once again Apollo had to save him (I really enjoy this Apollo fellow).

Then...what I had hoped and prayed wouldn't happen, occurred. Achilles brutally killed my soon Lycaon. I was told that Achilles went on a killing spree and filled the river with so many of my brave soldiers that the river god was angered and almost killed Achilles if Hephaestus hadn't saved him. Damn gods, we could have done with no godly involvement at that point. The gods are fighting with each other but I could care less. My son has been killed. I saw the battlefield that was just littered with dead bodies and I ran to open the gates to what was left of the troops. Achilles saw what I was doing and followed my soldiers. He almost took the entire city. What I last remember was Agenor challenging Achilles. Apollo rescued Agenor and disguised himself to look like my son without Achilles knowing. Apollo allowed us enough time to get back to Troy. I am an old man, and when I look around me my heart grows heavy with dispair. I am tired of this. I am tired of watching my sons get killed in battle. I am tired.

When Achilles and the men were at breakfast, Achilles refused to eat before going to battle. It might be  possible that he thinks it's pointless since he knows he will die soon? But I believe that it is because he does not need food to keep him alive. He is Achilles. He is as close to a god as a mortal can get. He can't be killed in his armor. Achilles ate nectar and ambrosia which is foods to the gods. Further proof that he is more godlike than human. I had only wished he was weaker so my sons would not have perished.

This is a picture of what Achilles shield may have looked like. It is more than extremely detailed and handcrafted by Hephaestus. It is also impenetrable. That is the shield one would want in battle. It's probably pretty heavy though!

"Shield of Achilles." Www.geneseo.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2013. <http://www.google.com/search?site=imghp>.

Patroklos' death

Patroklos finds Achilles and begs him for help. Achilles finally allows him to borrow his armor but only to drive my men away from the Greeks ships. Patroklos led the Greeks in his borrowed armor and hedges the Trojans away from the ships and killed many those strong, talented men. Patroklos killed Sarpedon and Glaukos steps in for his fallen comrade, Patroklos then ends up deathly wounded and his last words were that Hektor will be killed by Achilles before the war is over. There was fighting over Patroklos' body and Hektor was able to steal Achilles armor off of him. Zeus steps in again (perfect timing, if I do say so myself) and we once again begin to gain the upper hand. The greeks fight against us and were able to take Patroklos' body before we could. Then, what I had feared the most, Achilles comes back into battle after hearing that Patroklos was dead. He scared the bejesus out of all my men fighting with the help of Athene. I, of course, did not personally witness this but I heard from others that screaming and flames were involved. Even after Patroklos' warning, Hektor thinks that he is ready to take on Achilles instead of defend Troy from behind walls. Hephaistos had even crafted Achilles a new set of armor that Thetis brings to him. He looks to be ready for a fight.

What was curious to me is why Achilles allowed Patroklos to take his armor to wear himself but refused to go into battle himself? Achilles knew that Patroklos was heading for danger yet still did not step in. I think the reason that Achilles still refused to go to battle was that he was still being prideful over his little spat. I don't think that anyone was fooled when Patroklos went onto the battle field in Achilles armor, and that may be part of the reason he was killed. But what do I know? I'm just an old guy sitting on the top of my wall and watching the going ons.

Go to this website if you want more information about Patroklos, go to that link!

Patroclus. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://ancienthistory.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ>.

Breaking down walls

The Trojans and Achaians are fighting around the outside of the Greek wall that protects their camp. After seeing an eagle drop a snake, Hektor was told not to keep fighting but he NEVER listens! Silly boy. But he was able to smash through the walls and I was told the Trojans poured through the walls like a torrent. Poseidon prepares himself to help the Greeks out while Zeus isn't looking, but he only helps in small ways. Hektor finally listens to others and prepares to withdraw whilst flinging insults to Aias. Agamemnon once again brings up loading up the ships and once again Odysseus steps in to stop him and convince the others to keep on fighting. (I wish Odysseus would shut up and let them leave!) Hera seduces Zeus so that Poseidon can help get the Greeks back into battle. Several other gods got involved and helped our side and the Greeks.

In the last part, Zeus was duped by Hera...She seduced him and then he fell asleep on Mt. Ida. Is he really the one in charge in the book or is he so easily manipulated by others? He has a specific laid out for how the war will end and when he woke up he quickly got back in control of the situation and cleaned up the damage that was caused while he was asleep. The manipulation by Hera in book 14 and the control he has in book 15 are in complete contrast with each other. He also claimed superiority over Poseidon when he said they were equals. Who is in charge here? Is Zeus in control or does he bounce around like a yo-yo and his actions reflect who is manipulating him at the time?

"Roger Baker: Bad News and the Wall of Denial" The Rag Blog: Roger Baker : Bad News and The Wall of Denial. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2013. <http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/roger-baker-bad-news-and-wall-of-denial.html>.

Fighting, fighting, and a some more fighting

I had almost thought that we would win the battle this way, but to no avail. Just as Agamemenon was about to give up and go back to Greece, Diomedes steps in and pumps everyone up again. They do, however, try to get Achilles to return to the army but he wants to go to his homeland, Phthia, and take Phoenix with him. So he's no help, thank the gods! The Achaeans, the next morning, send Diomedes and Odysseus to spy on us and we had sent Dolon. The fool got himself captured by the dynamic duo (Diomedes/Odysseus) and spills everything. He tells him where the Thracians were and the two go and kill 12 men, their King Rhesus, and escape unharmed on Rhesus's chariot. I was really upset when I heard that King Rhesus was killed because he seemed like a good guy. I was also told that Dolon was murdered and his armor was stolen. The next day, the battle continues. Zeus rains blood on the Achaeans which scared the poop out of them. Good! I don't know whose side Zeus is on but it doesn't matter when he helps us out like that. Several people get injured like Agamemnon and Hector. I was especially proud when Paris stepped up and fought. Patroklos at the end, was asked to once again try and convince Achilles to come fight or at least let them borrow his armor. I didn't know of this, but that will never work. We are too clever to fall for THAT! We will FIGHT and we will WIN. I am confident of this.

Everyone, me included, place a lot of importance in military glory. When Agamemenon was ready to give up, Diomedes stepped in and made clear how cowardly he would be if he did. Also, the way the Odysseus and Diomedes kill Dolon after interrogation for his armor, is that really military glory? Diomedes is possibly taking more drastic steps to improve his τιμή. I personally this to be true, but I'm just an old man. What do I know?

This is a picture of what are chariots look like, in case any foreigner weirdos are checking this blog out ;) Cheers, King Priam

Guapo, El. "The Global Citizen-Railroad Tracks." Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2013. <http://www.google.com/search?hl=en>.

Interfering Immortals

In the beginning I thought that the Achaeans would finally overwhelm us and it'd all be over. My people had to retreat within our walls or face defeat. Hector comes to my wife, Hecuba, to go and pray for mercy at the temple of Athena. Then he goes with Helen to see Paris. I'm a little embarrassed to call him my son at the moment. He's kind of a pansy even though I love him dearly. Anyway, they generally scorn Paris about not fighting until he puts his armor on and heads for battle with Hector. A duel is called for and Hector volunteers himself, but then he gets put against the Great Ajax! I must say I was more than a little beside myself. The duel is called off by Heralds (Zeus told him to do it...Meddlesome god) and Hector and Ajax end as friends. I tell my people to allow ourselves a day of rest from this battle so that we may bury our dead with the dignity that they deserve. Ugh, Nestor does the same with the Achaeans...copycat.

My advisor Antenor asked of Paris to give up Helen so that we may end this war with no more unnecessary deaths...of course my stubborn son refused but begrudgingly said he'd give up all the loot he took with him in her capture. Not surprisingly, the Achaeans didn't go for the offer, Pity. Zeus had forbade the gods to interfere with the battle while he weighed the fate of the two armies. He found that the Trojans were higher up than the Achaeans. PRAISE THE GODS! This was happy, happy news to me and brought some peace to an old man's heart. Zeus sent lightning to the Achaeans side to turn the battle in the Trojans favor. Haha take that! Hector saw that Nestor was alone and goes to kill him but Diomedes drops in and rescued Nestor. Once more, Hera told Agamemnon to rally his troops, get them all excited and the like and Zeus sends an eagle carrying a fawn to further encourage them to continue the fighting. WHOSE side is he on anyways??? Much fighting and killing went on, especially with the Achaeans Teucer, who killed many of us until Hector was finally able to hurt him. Athena and Hera are about to jump in but Zeus sent Iris to warn them away and also said they'd have their chance to help the next morning. Hector was able to force the Achaeans back to their ships and lit many fires to prevent them from sneaking away unbeknownst to us.

As you can see, much had occurred. Lots of fighting and the battle kept switching favors so fast that it made my head hurt from looking back and forth. Zeus favored the Trojans when he looked at the fates but then he helps inspire the Achaeans to keep fighting...Does Zeus truly have an outcome in mind or is he switching back and forth to continue the battles, and therefore, continuing his amusement? As of right now, I have no clue what he really thinks, but he is a god and I am but a mere mortal. But he does seem to be very fickle.

"The Iliad: Book 6" Google. Chambers30, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2013. <http://www.google.com/search?hl=en>.