There is a degree of controversy regarding whether book 10 of Homer’s Iliad was part of the Iliad’s original composition, and if it really belongs in Homer’s epic. I believe that book 10, though in some ways a significant departure from the majority of the Iliad, is nevertheless a valid part of the story, composed by Homer, and as such should not be left out. It is textually and thematically consistent with the other books, and sheds new light on the darker side of the warrior culture.
The epithets and stock phrases used throughout the Iliad are also seen in Book 10. Alternate ways of referring to people (“Diomedes lord of the war cry”, “The lord of men Agamemnon”, “Nestor the noble driver”, “Odysseus quick with tactics”) and gods (“Zeus who marshals the storm clouds”, “Apollo lord of the silver bow”) that are used in book 10 are often word-for-word the same as those used in other parts of the epic. Similarly, there are extended metaphors describing various events and people, such as the pursuit of Dolon starting in line 420.
However, these textual similarities are not fully convincing as reasons to include book 10 in the Iliad – it could be that these epithets and textual devices were common to epic poetry in general, and not specifically to the Iliad. Thematic patterns and consistencies prove more useful in judging whether Book 10 belongs in the poem or not.
There are several examples in Book 10 of different types of ‘etiquette’ that are seen regularly throughout the entire epic. One of these is that of promising offerings to the gods, or to a specific god or goddess, in an attempt to gain the help of the gods in a certain venture or in thanks for the support given. Examples of this can be seen in Book 10, line 532, where Diomedes offers Dolon’s armor to Athena, and in line 670, where Diomedes and Odysseus offer wine to Athena in thanks.
Detailed descriptions of heroes donning their armor are also common in the Iliad, and Book 10 is no exception. Starting in line 24, we see a description of Agamemnon donning his war-clothes. From line 34, a description of Menelaus putting on his armor is given. Similar descriptions are given of Nestor starting at line 153 and Diomedes and Odysseus starting at line 297.
Yet another common theme is that of refusing ransoms. At several points an enemy is captured alive, offers great ransoms in return for his life, and is killed in spite of it. This occurs in Book 10, when Dolon is captured and then killed, despite his pleas for his life, his offers of a large ransom, and his co-operation with his captors’ demands.
There are numerous other examples of themes and devices present in both Book 10 and the other books of the Iliad, such as the stripping of armor, the offers of gifts and honor to anyone willing to spy on the enemy, and the influence and interference of the gods. In light of these, I think it is clear that there is a good deal of consistency between this book and the others, and that because of this there is a strong case to be made for the inclusion of Book 10 with the rest of the Iliad.
