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Paris
Priam is the Trojan king and father to Hector and Paris—the latter of whom stole Menelaus’s wife, Helen, and instigated the Trojan War. Priam tells the Greek army that the Trojans will defend Helen, who apparently doesn’t want to leave Troy; the Greeks would likely have attacked regardless, as the Trojan kingdom was wealthy. Priam is rumored to have at least 50 sons and 50 daughters, and he’s known to be kind and beloved by the gods. After Achilles kills Hector and takes his body, Priam begs him to return Hector’s corpse to the palace—if he doesn’t, Hector’s soul will never be at rest. Priam knows that Achilles could kill him, but he connects with him via their shared grief: he empathizes with Achilles’s pain over losing Patroclus, whom Hector killed. Achilles takes pity on Priam and agrees to return Hector’s corpse—one of his greatest acts of kindness. Patroclus later shares this anecdote with Thetis from beyond the grave, which helps convince her to set Patroclus’s soul to rest so he and Achilles can be together in the underworld.
Priam Quotes in The Song of Achilles
The The Song of Achilles quotes below are all either spoken by Priam or refer to Priam. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 22 Quotes
“She must have been willing, though. Menelaus' palace is like a fortress. If she had struggled or cried out, someone would have heard. She knew he must come after her, for his honor if nothing else. And that Agamemnon would seize this opportunity and invoke the oath.”
“So you think she did it on purpose? To cause the war?” This shocked me.
“Maybe. She used to be known as the most beautiful woman in our kingdoms. Now they say she's the most beautiful woman in the world." He put on his best singer's falsetto. "A thousand ships have sailed for her.”
[…]
“Maybe she really fell in love with Paris.”
“Maybe she was bored. After ten years shut up in Sparta, I'd want to leave too.”
“Maybe Aphrodite made her.”
“Maybe they'll bring her back with them.”
We considered this.
“I think Agamemnon would attack anyway.”
“I think so too. They never even mention her anymore.”
“Except in speeches to the men.”
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Chapter 32 Quotes
“I am sorry for your loss,” Priam says. “And sorry that it was my son who took him from you. Yet I beg you to have mercy. In grief, men must help each other, though they are enemies.”
[…]
Priam's voice is gentle. “It is right to seek peace for the dead. You and I both know there is no peace for those who live after.”
“No,” Achilles whispers.
Nothing moves in the tent; time does not seem to pass. Then Achilles stands. “It is close to dawn, and I do not want you to be in danger as you travel home. I will have my servants prepare your son's body.”
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Chapter 33 Quotes
Others stand at the base to look at the scenes of his life carved on the stone. They are a little hastily done, but clear enough. Achilles killing Memnon, killing Hector, killing Penthesilea. Nothing but death. This is how Pyrrhus’ tomb might look. Is this how he will be remembered?
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You said that Chiron ruined him. You are a goddess, and cold, and know nothing. You are the one who ruined him. Look at how he will be remembered now. Killing Hector, killing Troilus. For things he did cruelly in his grief.
Her face is like stone itself. It does not move. The days rise and fall.
Perhaps such things pass for virtue among the gods. But how is there glory in taking a life? We die so easily. Would you make him another Pyrrhus? Let the stories of him be something more.
"What more?" she says.
For once I am not afraid. What else can she do to me?
Returning Hector's body to Priam, I say. That should be remembered.
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Priam Character Timeline in The Song of Achilles
The timeline below shows where the character Priam appears in The Song of Achilles. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 15
...include people like Ajax and the very old Nestor. On the Trojan side, there’s King Priam, who supposedly has fifty sons and daughters and is pious. His sons include the beautiful...
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Achilles asks about Hector, and Odysseus says that he’s Priam’s eldest son, a favorite of Apollo. He then adds that Achilles will meet him first,...
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Chapter 20
...whether or not they should be diplomatic and send a parley to the Trojan king, Priam. Menelaus supports this, Diomedes is against it, and Odysseus sees both sides: diplomacy makes them...
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Chapter 22
One day, Priam sends out a message from Troy: he will admit an embassy (a group of Greek...
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Odysseus and Menelaus return at night, reporting that they were warmly received by Priam, Paris, and Hector. Priam said that Helen didn’t want to leave and that they’d defend...
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Chapter 32
At night, Priam (Hector’s father and king of Troy) sneaks to Achilles’s tent, soaking wet from swimming to...
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...to kill her; he thinks she seemed quick enough to strike him. Achilles also slaughters Priam’s youngest son, Troilus, who is seeking revenge. One day, Paris strings a bow from within...
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Chapter 33
...help, with a horse, and with a plan from Odysseus. But it’s Pyrrhus who kills Priam and Pyrrhus who finds Hector’s wife. He smashes her child against the wall, something that...
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Thetis asks what things, and Patroclus tells her, newly unafraid: returning Hector’s body to Priam, playing the lyre, claiming the Trojan women. Thetis interjects, saying that was Patroclus, not Achilles....
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