Throughout history, the story of Homer's epic poem, The Iliad, and its hero, Achilles, has remained a work of literature to be considered by many a true classic. This epic tells the story of the madness of Achilles and how it transforms him from an angry warrior to one who struggles to understand and cope with his grief over losing his best friend Patroklos. The Greek word menis, meaning madness, is used to describe the state of mind that Achilles enters following his feud with Agamemnon, and from this point forward it is possible to see that he is being ruled by this menis throughout much of the epic. Towards the end of the poem, Achilles finally comes to his senses after hearing of the death of Patroklos at the hand of the Trojan warrior Hektor. However, he is unable to recover from the Petroklos's death until Hektor's father, Priam, visits him. It is only at this point that Achilles realizes that he is not a complete being, although he is an accomplished and respected warrior. Priam's visit forces Achilles to realize this, and by doing so Achilles becomes a more complete person. In Book I, the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon is the starting point of the menis of Achilles. The great warrior attempts to give Agamemnon advice, but he dismisses it as an attempt by Achilles to gain power over the Akhaian troops. As punishment, Agamemnon reclaims Achilles's war prize, the Trojan girl Brisêis of whom the great warrior has become very fond. Achilles becomes so infuriated with Agamemnon's arrogance and refusals to even consider his advice that he issues an oath to Agamemnon. .

             I swear a day will come when every Akhaian soldier will groan to have Achilles back. That day you shall no more prevail on me than this dry wood shall flourish - driven though you are, and though a thousand men perish before the killer, Hektor. You will eat your heart out, raging with remorse for this dishonor done to you by the bravest of Akhaians.