What Is Ransom Based On

Ransom is based on a small part of the Iliad saga. Piam the King of Troy travels to the Greek camp to retrieve the body of his son Hector who was killed by the great warrior Achilles. Beautifully written, the story supports what James Campbell describes as the Power Of Myth.

Why did Malouf write ransom?

His private project, inspired by his ongoing respect for, and love of, Homer’s poetry and the story of Troy, was written primarily because he wanted to create a beautiful story about storytelling and beauty.

What was Priam's ransom?

Priam is the aging King of Troy and the father of Hector, who at the outset of the novel lies dead in the Greek camp after having been defeated in battle by Achilles. … Priam therefore decides to go to Achilles and beg him for Hector’s body in exchange for a ransom.