Chryseis was a Trojan woman, the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo, who was captured by the Achaeans during the Trojan War.
Her name means "daughter of Chryses".
When her father tried to ransom her, Agamemnon refused, leading Apollo to send a plague upon the Greek army.
To end the plague, Agamemnon was forced to return Chryseis, which in turn led him to take Briseis from Achilles, sparking a major conflict.
Family and origin: Chryseis was the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo who served the god in the city of Thebe. Her real name was later given as Astynome.
Capture: During the Trojan War, her city was sacked by the Achaeans, and she was taken as a war prize. Agamemnon claimed her as his own.
The plague: Her father, Chryses, prayed to Apollo for his daughter's return after Agamemnon refused his ransom. Apollo responded by sending a devastating plague upon the Achaean army.
Resolution: The Achaeans, decimated by the plague, were advised by the seer Calchas that the only way to end it was to return Chryseis to her father. Agamemnon reluctantly agreed, but to compensate himself, he took Briseis from Achilles, which led to Achilles withdrawing from the war.
Return: Odysseus was sent to return Chryseis to her father, ending the plague.
