Briseis

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In Greek mythology, Brisēis (Greek Βρισηίς) was a Trojan widow (from Lyrnessus) who was abducted during the Trojan War by Achilles upon the death of her three brothers and husband, King Mynes of Lyrnessus, in the fight. After an oracle forced Agamemnon to give up Chryseis, a woman he had captured, the king ordered his heralds Talthybius and Eryrates to take Briseis from Achilles as compensation. Achilles was offended by this seizure and, as a result, withdrew from the fighting. He did not return to the fray until the death of Patroclus.

The retirement of Achilles to his tent is the first event of Homer's Iliad. With Achilles removed from the conflict, the Trojans enjoyed a period of success. After Achilles' return to the fighting, Agamemnon restored Briseis to Achilles.

Briseis's real name was Hippodameia, 'Briseis' being a patronym as a daughter of Briseus.

Briseis in film

Recently in the movie Troy (2004) Briseis (Rose Byrne) is portrayed as a cousin of Paris and Hector, a young woman who decided to become a priestess in the temple of Apollo.

Achilles' men give her to him after they ravage the temple. Agamemnon takes Briseis and Achilles refuses to fight. After a devastating loss and retreat, Agamemnon agrees to give up Briseis. Achilles saves Briseis from the Greek men after they try to rape her. Achilles and Briseis fall in love and at one point Briseis inspires Achilles to go home.

Unfortunately, Patroclus (Achilles' cousin in the movie) gets himself killed by Hector, therefore enraging Achilles to kill him. When King Priam comes to get the body of his son, Achilles gives Briseis back to him. When the Greeks invade Troy, Achilles goes to find Briseis and save her. Briseis is taunted by Agamemnon and she kills him by stabbing a knife into his neck. Achilles saves her from being killed by Greek soldiers and tells her to come with him. Paris sees them and thinking Achilles is hurting Briseis, he shoots him with arrows, killing him.ca:Briseida de:Briseis es:Briseida fr:Briséis it:Briseide lt:Briseidė nl:Briseis sv:Briseis

Briseis in Novels

In Orson Scott Card's Shadow of the Hegemon, Petra's captivity is compared to Briseis.