The Hiketeia is a ritual supplication in which an individual kisses the knees of another to request a favor or errand. The use of hiking in The Iliad establishes a nature of authority in figures of power, including Zeus and Achilles, by demonstrating and creating a debt in the "generosity" bestowed upon the supplicant. Passages from Books One and Twenty-Four validate and examine Zeus and Achilles' acquisition of power by granting Thetis and Priam's demands made through the Hike. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay In the first book Achilles' mother, Thetis, is an immortal goddess who performs a trek on Zeus. She grabbed his knees with one hand and his face with the other. Thetis begs him to honor his son after Agamemnon dishonors him in front of his troops. She asks Zeus to give victory to the Trojans until Agamemnon in desperation begs Achilles to return and fight. Because hiking is sacred and a time of pure submission, the request cannot be casually refused. If a request is granted, the baiter is liable to the person who granted the hike. Zeus ultimately agrees to this request, despite the repercussions for his wife and the deaths of thousands of mortals, because he himself is indebted to Thetis for saving him from the Olympians: “Go now. Hera might surprise us here. I will see to it. I will make all of this happen. Listen, I'll bow my head if that will satisfy you. This, I remind you, that among the mortal gods is the strongest and truest sign that I can give. No words from me – nothing. can be revoked, there is no betrayal, nothing remains unfinished once I bow my head to say it will be done (Homer, 94). Zeus' agreement is considered generous because the gods will be angry with his decision, and thus Zeus gained great power over Thetis. She is aware that Zeus will anger his wife, Hera, and the other gods by granting her this wish, which strengthens Zeus' power over her. Zeus uses the power over Thetis that he gained in book one later in book twenty-four. Achilles has defeated and killed Hector, but instead of respectfully returning the corpse, he drags it in a chariot around the city to dishonor it because Hector killed Patroclus. Achilles' behavior angers the gods, so Zeus asks Thetis to tell Achilles to return the body to Hector's family. Thetis is bound to his command and recognizes it herself even before knowing Zeus' real request. Why... what does the great god want from me? I grind my teeth from mingling with the immortals now - Oh the torment - endless sorrow! But I'm going. A high decree of the Father must not succeed, whatever he commands (Homer, 591). Zeus then sends Iris with a message to Priam, Hector's father. Iris tells Priam to go to Achilles and offer a ransom for Hector's body. Priam follows the order and is protected by Hermes during his journey to Achilles' camp. Upon seeing Achilles, Priam immediately sets out on the trek. Weeping, he embraces Achilles' knees and kisses his hands, begging him to understand that he is a father whose fifty sons have all been killed in this war. Achilles is overcome with guilt by the thought of his own father and agrees to return Hector's corpse. However, guilt is not the reason Achilles gives in. He has already received orders from Zeus (through Thetis) to return the body. He also sees a double opportunity. By granting Priam's request, Achilles is able to.