HOMER: The Iliad [Book XXIV]

In Book XXIV of Homer’s Iliad, Priam departs from Troy with the intention of ransoming Hector’s corpse from Achilles. Priam’s mission is a dangerous one – the Greeks may seize and hold him as a valuable hostage. Therefore, the god Mercury conducts Priam safely and stealthily through the camp to Achilles’ tent.

HOMER: The Iliad [Book XVII]

In Book XVII of Homer’s Iliad, the Greeks and Trojans fight over the corpse of Patroclus. The Trojans desire to carry the corpse back to Troy in order to ransom it for the corpse of Sarpedon, whom the Greeks recently killed. The Greeks, on the other hand, naturally desire to give Patroclus a proper burial.

HOMER: The Odyssey [Book VIII]

In Book VIII of Homer’s Odyssey, Alcinous, the King of the Phaeacians, calls a council, where it is agreed that the Phaeacian citizens will provide Odysseus with a ship and crew to convey him home. After the meeting, athletic contests are held in honor of Odysseus. The games include running, wrestling, boxing, and discus-throwing. Despite being old and wearied by his travels, Odysseus participates in the discus-throwing competition and out-throws all other competitors.