This material has been used for many years by Professor Tom Sienkewicz in his courses at Howard University and
at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois. If you have any questions, you may contact him at toms@monm.edu.
ANALYSIS OF ILIAD XV
This analysis is based upon A Study of the "Iliad" in Translation by Frank Lowry Clark. (Chicago: The University of
Chicago Press, 1927).
I. Zeus awakes; he upbraids Hera, 1-46
II. Zeus decrees that Poseidon leave the field and that Apollo help the Greeks, 47-112
III. Ares wishes to avenge the death of his son, Ascalaphus, but is restrained by Athena, 113-41
IV. Zeus sends Iris to bid Poseidon withdraw from the conflict, which he does under protest, 142-219
V. At the command of Zeus, Apollo, holding the aegis before him, rallies the Trojans and drives the Greeks in panic flight, 220-389
VI. Patroclus leaves Eurypylus in the tent of Nestor and returns to Achilles, 390-404
VII. Continuation of the battle at the ships, 405-591
VIII. Beginning of the Patrokleia, 592-746
a) Victorious advance of the Trojans against the Greek ships, led by Hector, 592-702
b) Desperate fight at the ship of Protesilaus; Hector lays hold of the ship and calls for fire, while
Ajax tries to rally the Greeks, 703-46 (end of Book XV)