ChrysesKhryses

The priest of Apollon whose daughter, Khryseis (Chryseis), was taken captive by the Greek army during the ninth year of their siege of Troy.

The Greeks would regularly raid nearby cities and bring back provisions and slaves; the girl, Khryseis, was taken as a slave on one such raid and Agamemnon kept her as his “prize;” when Khryses went to Agamemnon and begged for the return of his daughter, he was treated shamelessly and sent away with reproach; Khryses prayed to Apollon and asked the god to punish the Greeks for their uncivilized behavior.

To be clear about this: it was NOT uncivilized to plunder and take slaves but it WAS uncivilized to refuse the supplications of a father for the return of his daughter.

Khryses’ prayers were answered; Apollon stood off-shore and rained arrows on the Greek army killing men and livestock; on the advice of the seer, Kalkhas (Calchas), young Khryseis was returned to her father and the Greeks humbled themselves before Apollon and begged forgiveness.

• Iliad, book 1, lines 68-104