The Iliad 1.59–67 — Achilles speaking to Agamemnon | The Lexicon

The Iliad 1.59–67

if war and pestilence alike are to ravage the Achaeans. But come, let us ask some seer or priest, or some reader of dreams—for a dream too is from Zeus—who might say why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, whether he finds fault with a vow or a hecatomb; in hope that he may accept the savour of lambs and unblemished goats, and be willing to ward off the pestilence from us.

Ἀτρεΐδη νῦν ἄμμε παλιμπλαγχθέντας ὀΐω ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, εἴ κεν θάνατόν γε φύγοιμεν, εἰ δὴ ὁμοῦ πόλεμός τε δαμᾷ καὶ λοιμὸς Ἀχαιούς· ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή τινα μάντιν ἐρείομεν ἢ ἱερῆα ἢ καὶ ὀνειροπόλον, καὶ γάρ τʼ ὄναρ ἐκ Διός ἐστιν, ὅς κʼ εἴποι ὅ τι τόσσον ἐχώσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων, εἴτʼ ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται ἠδʼ ἑκατόμβης, αἴ κέν πως ἀρνῶν κνίσης αἰγῶν τε τελείων βούλεται ἀντιάσας ἡμῖν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.

Lattimore commentary

In contrast to Agamemnon, Achilleus’ first words are reasonable and calm, seeking an explanation for events. Significantly, he is the first among the warriors and their leaders to question the status quo and seek to improve conditions. The division of work among religious specialists is noteworthy. Priests were closely associated with sacrifice (but not absolutely needed for carrying it out, since chieftains like Nestor and Agamemnon can do so on their own). Dream interpreters are less commonly mentioned, although we know of their existence throughout antiquity. Seers (like Kalchas in the Iliad) provide useful advice on everything from religious obligations to navigation and morality (cf. Theoklymenos in Odyssey 17). It is another deft touch of characterization that Achilleus instantly recognizes that any one of these specialists might be called for.

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nostos