Homeric Council is a purely consultative body, assembled not with
any power of peremptorily arresting mischievous resolves of the
king, but solely for his information and guidance."

201 In the heroic times, it is not unfrequent for the king to receive
presents to purchase freedom from his wrath, or immunity from his
exactions. Such gifts gradually became regular, and formed the
income of the German, (Tacit. Germ. Section 15) Persian, (Herodot.
iii.89), and other kings. So, too, in the middle ages, 'The feudal
aids are the beginning of taxation, of which they for a long time
answered the purpose.' (Hallam, Middle Ages, ch. x. pt. 1, p. 189)
This fact frees Achilles from the apparent charge of sordidness.
Plato, however, (De Rep. vi. 4), says, "We cannot commend Phoenix,
the tutor of Achilles, as if he spoke correctly, when counselling
him to accept of presents and assist the Greeks, but, without
presents, not to desist from his wrath, nor again, should we commend
Achilles himself, or approve of his being so covetous as to receive
presents from Agamemnon," &c.

202 It may be observed, that, brief as is the mention of Briseis in the
Iliad, and small the part she plays--what little is said is
pre-eminently calculated to enhance her fitness to be the bride of
Achilles. Purity, and retiring delicacy, are features well
contrasted with the rough, but tender disposition of the hero.

203 --_Laodice._ Iphianassa, or Iphigenia, is not mentioned by Homer,
among the daughters of Agamemnon.

204 "Agamemnon, when he offers to transfer to Achilles seven towns
inhabited by wealthy husbandmen, who would enrich their lord by
presents and tribute, seems likewise to assume rather a property in
them, than an authority over them. And the same thing may be
intimated when it is said that Peleus bestowed a great people, the
Dolopes of Phthia, on Phoenix."--Thirlwall's Greece, vol. i Section
6, p. 162, note.

205 --_Pray in deep silence._ Rather: "use well-omened words;" or, as
Kennedy has explained it, "Abstain from expressions unsuitable to
the solemnity of the occasion, which, by offending the god, might
defeat the object of their supplications."

206 --_Purest hands._ This is one of the most ancient superstitions
respecting prayer, and one founde