Talk:Briseis

Comments
She is almost always referred to in the modern literature as Hippodameia, so why is the article at Briseis? 70.20.179.75 00:28, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

One good reason is that Briseis is the more popular name used in mythology such as in Edith Hamilton's work. Also there are 126,600 hits for "Briseis" but only 16,600 hits for "Hippodameia" on Google. The redirect serves its purpose. Tetigit 01:47, 23 January 2006 (UTC)


 * Whoops, then she isn't always referred to in modern literature as Hippodameia, my mistake. Thanks for the response. 70.20.179.75 05:26, 24 January 2006 (UTC)

I think the statement In the Iliad, Achilles loves Briseis is quite arguable: The source of Achilles' wrath is the dishonor he has suffered in being deprived from his rightful loot. This is a crucial feature of Achilles' personality. He might, in fact, have been equally mad if Agamemnon had taken any other of his possessions. The notion that he loved Briseis because he called her wife or bride is a product of subsequent cultural readings. She was merely a captive he had sexual commerce with, as per contemporary social standards; his personal feelings for her are not depicted in the Iliad.201.132.247.141 (talk) 04:03, 19 June 2008 (UTC)

I agree with the above. I have just gone through the Butler translation and not found the section quoted in the article. I also never saw the name Biseis and love together in the same sentence or there about. This is not in any translation of Book 9 lines 300+ that I can find. I think it should be removed. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mmercede (talk • contribs) 21:09, April 2010 (UTC)

New image
I've recently uploaded a relevant 17th-century engraving by Wenceslas Hollar at File:Wenceslas Hollar - Briseis and Achilles.jpg. Feel free to use or not use. Dcoetzee 11:19, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

Quintus Smyrnaeus
I have removed the reference to "Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy BOOK 3 Death of Achilles [626], [770] Theoi.com" that was given as citation for the statement "She soon took it upon herself to prepare Achilles for the afterlife" (added, removed), as on checking the text it appears that these lines relate to Achilles's mother Thetis, and not to Briseis. (see III.626, III.770).

Briseis is mentioned by Quintus Smyrnaeus - the index for the volume gives hits for III, 552, 687; IV, 276; VII, 723; XIV, 216. But I shall leave to others as to whether there is anything there worth noting in the main text of the article. Jheald (talk) 16:10, 20 August 2021 (UTC)

Appearance
I think Maddeline Miller's physical description of her could also be added, I mean, why only have one description? In the book The Song of Achilles, Briseis appears in chapter twenty one; here I will leave some passages about her looks Miller wrote in said chapter: "She was beautiful, her skin a deep brown, her hair black and gleaming." "The tunic she wore (...) made her look very young" "She stared at me with those wide eyes. Her hair had been drawn back, revealing the delicate bones of her cheeks." I have taken these passages from my own copy of the book, but I am sure you could find sources for them here in the internet. Sorry I cannot give them myself though, I am busy and just wanted to leave this comment, as Miller's retelling of the Illiad is quite known. Either way, I do not really work for wikipedia, this is a mere comment by a mere reader of the site that happens to enjoy mythology a lot, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. However, I still hope my idea is considered :) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 186.183.29.113 (talk) 01:36, 16 December 2021 (UTC)