Book XX Summary:
· Zeus called together a meeting at which everyone was present except Oceanus. He called it because of his deep concern for all of the doomed warriors on both sides. Zeus made the announcement that all of the other gods could go down to the war and help whichever side they preferred but he would remain on Olympus.
· At first, Achaeans were winning since Achilles had rejoined the war and he was feared by all of the Trojans. When the gods came down, a ‘hatred arose with a vengeance’ and the war became more escalated.
· Gods started to fight against one another and leveled the sides. Detailed whose side all of the gods were on.
· Achilles had his eyes set on Hector once he started to fight and was after him above all others.
· Apollo held a group discussion with the Trojans about fighting Achilles. He rationalized that Trojans are Aphrodite’s children, Achilles’ mom is a lesser goddess, therefore Trojans should be able to fight and conquer Achilles easily. Trojans rallied together and took Apollo’s advice and set out for Achilles.
· Hera saw Trojans approach with Apollo and talked to other gods on Achaeans side about whether they should make Apollo turn back or just give Achilles more power. War continues on throughout the god’s council.
· Aeneas is fighting Achilles: Achilles came charging on like a lion before a fight. Achilles asks Aeneas why he is fighting him and what has been promised him for doing so. Achilles reminisces the day that he had defeated Aeneas when they were alone on Mount Ida and Aeneas fled to Lyrnesus which was later sacked by Achilles. Achilles mentions how Aeneas was saved then but will not be today.
· Aeneas is adamant that he will not be scared off by Achilles’ words. Aeneas goes on to talk about his lengthy lineage. They begin to fight and Achilles is starting to win when Poseidon, who was watching, took pity on Aeneas and saved him by whisking him off to the sidelines while putting a mist over Achilles’ eyes. Poseidon tells Aeneas to wait until Achilles has been killed to fight as no other Achaean will be able to kill him then.
· Hector announces to the Trojans that he plans to go fight Achilles. After, Apollo warns him not to face Achilles singly or else he will be killed for certain. Advises that Hector should wait until Achilles is in the middle of a fight to attack him.
· Achilles is killing many different people in all different ways. Achilles then kills Polydorus (youngest son of Priam) and when Hector sees his brother fall and die, he rushes off to fight Achilles disregarding Apollo’s warning. Athena protects Achilles in this fight while Apollo protects Hector and since both sides are evenly matched it is like a stale-mate.
· Achilles continues him rampage with killing many other people in various and often gruesome ways.
Katie Coley
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