Galaxy/The codex of Eurybates

Herald of Agamemnon, sent with Talthybius to fetch Briseis from Achilles — and the Ithacan attendant who gathered up Odysseus' cloak when Athena set him running to still the assembly.1

I

He and Talthybius were Agamemnon's heralds and ready squires. At the king's command they went unwilling to Achilles' hut to lead away fair-cheeked Briseis — the errand that sealed the hero's withdrawal from the war.2

II

When Athena roused Odysseus to face the mutinous host, he cast off his cloak and ran; Eurybates of Ithaca, who waited on him, gathered it up. So the same man serves both the commander of the army and the prince of Ithaca — herald's office binding king to counsellor.3

III

In the embassy of Book 9 he attends Odysseus among the heralds sent to Achilles' tent, bearing the king's offer of gifts and the return of Briseis.4

the spine ignites as you read · hover a bond on the card — every mention of them lights in the story

BEYOND THE POETS

How the centuries since have seen Eurybates — art, artifacts and echoes.

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