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Book Nine
in the luxury of their palaces. The classical habit of reclining did not become
customary until c. 600, on the evidence of Athenian vase-paintings, and
then not universally.
201 The Achaeans brought some non-combatants with them to Troy
(KUpEpvqTai and Tauioci are mentioned at 19.43-4, to whom we may add
heralds), but oddly enough no menial servants for the present tasks: nor
were Trojan prisoners pressed into this sort of service (Agamemnon's remarks
at 2.127 were hypothetical, for an exception see n.624n.). In
Agamemnon's apparently grand establishment (it is nowhere described in
detail) there were Kf|pUK£S and Koupoi (174-5) to act as waiters, but in this
book Akhilleus' hut is represented as a modest shelter where self-service is
the rule. Consequently Patroklos and Automedon (209) and even Akhilleus
himself must do the jobs performed elsewhere by Koupoi and, in the Odyssey,
by 5uGoai. It may be remarked that, though the heroes wash before prayers
(174), in the Iliad they never wash before meals, a universal habit (assisted,
however, by female domestics) in the Odyssey. Patroklos accepted his orders
in silence, as he had done in delivering up Briseis (205 = 1.345), see 2O 5 n -
202-4 Kpr|Tfipa: the poet attributes to the Heroic Age the drinking
practice of his own and later times, although the Greek practice of diluting
the wine is implied by Myc. ka-ra-te-ra MY Ue 611. Classical mixing bowls
typically hold about three gallons (14 litres). — £copoT6pov: three parts
water to one of wine are the unheroic proportions recommended by Hesiod,
Erga 596 (see West's n. adloc). Athenaeus (426B—43IB) cites various mixtures,
none stronger than 1:1. (Which of Alcaeus' 1 : 2 mixture was the
wine is disputed, see D. L. Page, Sappho and Alcaeus (Oxford 1955) 308.) The
strength of wine that retained some sweetness (usOu f|5u, U6Air|8ea oTvov)
after natural fermentation would give point to the dilution.
ueAdOpco, 'roof-beam', 'roof, usually refers to a palatial dwelling, e.g.
2.414 (Priam's palace). The description of the hut in book 24 (see i92n.)
and that of Eumaios' dwelling in Od. 14.5-10 show how the idea of a palace
would override that of a cottage and credit a modest structure with an
implausible architecture.
205 Patroklos makes no reply. bT make this a point of characterization,
cf. their remark at 11.616, o-icoirrjAos del KOCI lvr|T)s TT&TpoKAos. His selfeffacing
and gentle nature (ivr|6ir|, 17.670) is often praised by the exegetical
scholia (bT at 1.307, 337, 345). Kindliness, like other co-operative virtues,
is appropriate between friends, but there is no reason why it should be
shown to enemies; Patroklos displays his mettle in book 16. In spite of his
disapproval of Akhilleus' present attitude towards his friends, which surfaces
at 16.29-35, respect for his superior in rank keeps Patroklos silent at
this point. His silence is, of course, necessary if Akhilleus is to maintain his
present stance.
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