Of Homer's Iliad.

Book I.

Summary of the Rhapsody.

A large decorative initial 'X' spans four lines of text, rendered in dark ink with flourishing strokes.

Chryses, priest of Apollo, arrives at the naval camp of the Greeks, wishing to redeem his daughter Chryseis. Having not received her, but rather being driven away with insults by Agamemnon, he prayed to Apollo against the Greeks. A plague having occurred and many, as is to be expected, perishing, Achilles gathered an assembly. Calchas having clarified the true cause, and having ordered Achilles to appease the god, Agamemnon, angered, disputed with Achilles and snatched away his prize, Briseis. He then becomes angry with the Greeks. Thetis, having been implored by her son, went up to Olympus and requested of Zeus that he make the Trojans stronger than the Greeks. Hera, knowing this, disputed with Zeus until Hephaestus reconciled them by pouring wine into a golden cup. The rest of the day, having feasted, they turn to sleep.

Alexander the Great, Monarch of the world, was accustomed to name the Homeric Iliad as a military instruction. And he loved the volume itself to such a degree that he would sleep with it together with his dagger under his pillow, saying he preferred to excel in these things rather than in riches.