The Song of Achilles

“Our ragged alliance prevailed only when no man was allowed to be too much more power than another.” 

Patroclus describes the events that occur at Tyndareus’s court when he welcomes suitors for Helen’s hand in marriage. To prevent violence from rejected suitors, Odysseus recommends that before Helen chooses her husband all her suitors take an oath to protect her marriage. Though Odysseus is not a suitor, the others compel him to take the oath as well to ensure that he is kept on equal footing with them.

Patroclus’s observation about “ragged” (13) Greek alliances in this moment foreshadows the later power struggle between Agamemnon and Achilles. Agamemnon believes he should be recognized as the supreme power because he is a king and has organized the Greek forces while Achilles believes his military excellence places him above all others. 

“The boy’s family demanded immediate exile or death. They were powerful, and this was their eldest son. They might permit a king to burn their fields, or rape their daughters, as long as payment was made. But you did not touch a man’s son. For this, the nobles would riot. We all knew the rules; we clung to them to avoid the anarchy that was always a hair’s breadth away.” 

Patroclus refers to his exile for accidentally murdering a nobleman’s son, noting the different treatment of men and women. Women were often classed along with property; thus, monetary payment could compensate for harm to a woman. To harm one’s son, however, was to threaten the continuation of a family line.