Euphorbus' plaint and plaits: the unsung valor of a foot soldier in Homer's Iliad
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2021
DOI
Authors
Degener, Michael
Version
Accepted manuscript
OA Version
Citation
Michael Degener. 2021. "Euphorbus' Plaint and Plaits: The Unsung Valor of a Foot Soldier in Homer's Iliad." Phoenix The Classical Association of Canada, Volume 75,
Abstract
The essay addresses Euphorbus’ role in the death and stripping of Patroclus. Is Homer “nodding” when Achilles’ armor is found together with Patroclus’ corpse for which Euphorbus returns to secure his genuine kleos? No. Homer suppresses one piece of information: Euphorbus seized Achilles’ armor and dons it. He seeks Patroclus’ corpse as evidence he did not take Achilles’ armor opportunistically. Hector comes by the armor opportunistically, taking it without slaying Patroclus―nor Achilles―and is thus but the “holder” of Achilles’ armor as Menelaus, puts it, echoed by Glaucus, heckling Hector as he “who holds the kleos of a coward.”