Page "Briseis" Paragraph 4

According to Book 1 of the Iliad, when Agamemnon was compelled by Apollo to give up his own woman, Chryseis, he demanded Briseis as compensation.

This prompted a quarrel with Achilles that culminated with Briseis ' delivery to Agamemnon and Achilles ' protracted withdrawal from battle.

His absence had disastrous consequences for the Greeks.

Despite Agamemnon's grand offers of treasure and women, he did not return to the fray until the death of Patroclus.