In this episode of "What a Classic!", war comes back to the fore once again as we dive into the drama of Book 3 of The Iliad.
After shying from death itself and shrinking back into the ranks when confronted by Menelaus, Paris receives a dressing-down from Hector, accused of being a ' seducer of women'! To salvage his honour, Paris proposes a duel to the death for Helen and her treasure, but this doesn’t work out how either side would have hoped!
Key events of Book 3:
Paris's Cowardice and Hector's Rebuke: Paris initially retreats from Menelaus, prompting a scathing reprimand from Hector about his cowardice.
Single Combat Proposed & Agreed: To salvage his honour, Paris proposes a single combat to settle the war, and after some debate the terms are broadly agreed.
Oaths and Sacrifices: Priam is summoned, and oaths are made to the gods with sacrificial offerings to formalise the combat's agreed resolution, though Priam can't bear to watch and heads back to Troy
The Duel Interrupted: Paris and Menelaus engage in combat, but Aphrodite intervenes to save Paris, preventing a clear victory, and undermining everything that was agreed in the oaths.
Greek’s Remain Battle Hungry: After this divine intervention, it seems the Greeks are hungrier than ever for battle and victory.
What do the meddling gods and battle-hungry heroes have in store? How does Helen react to Paris's rescue? Tune in to explore the passion, fury, and divine deception of Book 3!
