The Iliad: Book 16 Quiz

While the battle around the ships continues, Patroklos pleads with Achilles to [blank_start]be allowed to wear Achilles' armor[blank_end] and to lead the [blank_start]Myrmidons[blank_end], his troops, into battle.

While Achilles is considering the request from Patroklos, flames are seen rising from among the ships, indicating [blank_start]great success for the Trojans[blank_end].

Achilles consents, and Patroklos and the Myrmidons arm themselves with [blank_start]great enthusiasm[blank_end].

After Achilles has addressed them and offered a libation to Zeus, he warns Patroklos to do no more than [blank_start]rescue the ships[blank_end], for if he attacks Troy, he may be killed.

The Trojans are panicked by the belief that Achilles has decided to [blank_start]unleash his fury against them[blank_end], and in a short time, the addition of Achilles' fresh and well equipped regiment of Myrmidons to the Achaian army destroys the [blank_start]Trojan advantage[blank_end].

Hektor and his men [blank_start]flee toward Troy[blank_end].

Patroklos pursues Hektor and his men all the way to the walls of Troy, doing [blank_start]many heroic deeds on the way.[blank_end]

However, Apollo decides to enter the fighting as an ally of Hektor, and while Patroklos, in an almost god-like manner, slaughters nine [blank_start]Trojans[blank_end] in a single charge, Apollo slips up behind him and strikes him so fiercely on the back that [blank_start]Patroklos' vizored helmet flies off[blank_end].

Then, while Patroklos is standing in a daze, a Trojan soldier pierces him midway between the shoulders with a [blank_start]javelin[blank_end].

Patroklos tries to hide, but [blank_start]Hektor[blank_end] sees him and rams a spear through the lower part of his belly.

His voice failing, Patroklos tells Hektor that it was not he who conquered him. It was [blank_start]the gods[blank_end], he says.

Achilles' horses, [blank_start]Roan Beauty[blank_end] and [blank_start]Dapple[blank_end], are introduced, emphasizing the importance of horses in ancient warfare. As with human characters, the lineage of the horses is given.