“My mother Thetis tells me that there are two ways in which I may meet my end. If I stay here and fight, I shall not return alive but my name will live for ever: whereas if I go home my name will die, but it will be long ere death shall take me.”
~ The Iliad - Book IX (Samuel Butler Translation. p61 / v410)
The Iliad Book IX. Agamemnon loses hope. Diomed says he will fight till the end inspiring everyone. Nestor suggests reaching out to Achilles. They go with offers of riches and a very poignant plead from Phoenix but Achilles refuses.
In book 9 of The Iliad, a select group of Greek leaders goes to Achilles with offers of riches, including Breisis and other women, from Agamemnon. Ulysses speaks, and Phoenix makes a very heartfelt appeal. But Achilles does not oblige. He mentions that his mother had foretold that his name would be immortal if he fought the battle, but he would die. However, if he didn’t, he would live an ordinary life longer.