The Iliad – Summary Book X (10)
Agamemnon is unable to sleep as he is so worried about the fate of the
Achaian army. He goes to find Nestor and together they gather the main
leaders.
They decide to send a scout to the Trojan camp under cover of darkness.
Diomedes and Odysseus volunteer.
On their way to the Trojan camp Diomedes and Odysseus meet a Trojan
warrior, Dolon, who was on his way to spy in the Greek camp.
Diomedes and Odysseus question Dolon and get key information about the
Trojan army. Diomedes then kills Dolon.
Diomedes and Odysseus sneak into the Trojan camp and kill many warriors
before returning to their own Greek ships.
Diomedes and Odysseus question the Trojan spy, Dolon.
The Iliad – Summary Book XI (11)
In the morning Agamemnon leads the Achaians into battle, and, at first, they
are winning. However, soon Agamemnon and the other Achaian leaders are
wounded and are forced to withdraw from the fighting.
The Trojans continue to advance and slaughter many Greek warriors.
Achilles has bee watching the battle and although he does not say it out loud,
he seems to be concerned for his fellow Greeks and his own self-imposed
inability to help them.
He sends his beloved companion, Patroclus, go get information from Nestor,
as his own pride will not allow him to show any interest in the fate of the
Achaians.
Nestor tells Patroclus of the days events. He convinces Patroclus to try to
persuade Achilles to return to battle. If this does not work, Patroclus himself
should return to battle pretending to be Achilles by wearing Achilles’ armour.
If the Trojans recognise Achilles armour, their fear of Achilles might save the
Greeks for another while.