Priam [to Achilles]
I knew your father. He died well before his time, but he was fortunate enough to not have lived long enough to see his son fall.
Played by Peter O'Toole 
Troy (2004) · 116 quotes
Troy (2004) · 116 quotes
Tied for 4th most-quoted character in Troy (2004): in 14 of its 116 quotes
Most scenes with: Achilles (4), Paris (2)
I've fought many wars in my time. Some I've fought for land, some for power, some for glory. But I suppose fighting for love makes the most sense of all.
More lines from Priam
6 quotes Priam Priam I loved my son from the moment he opened his eyes until the moment you closed them.
Priam [as Greek soldiers loot and vandalize the temple]
Have you no honor? HAVE YOU NO HONOR?! [is stabbed]
Priam [giving Paris the Sword of Troy]
My father carried this sword, and his father before him, all the way back to the founding of Troy. The history of our people was written with this sword. Carry it with you tomorrow. The spirit of Troy is in that sword. So long as a Trojan carries it, our people have a future.
Priam I loved my boy from the moment he opened his eyes until the moment you closed them. Let me wash his body. Let me say the prayers. Let me place two coins on his eyes for the boatman.
Priam [to Hector]
No father ever had a better son.
Scenes with Priam
7 scenes
Father, this is Helen.
Priam Helen? Helen of Sparta?
Helen of Troy.
Priam I'd heard rumours of your beaty, and for once, the gossips were right.
Priam Paris, do you love her?
Father, you are a great king because you love your country so much. Every blade of grass, every grain of sand, every rock in the river. You love all of Troy. That is the way I love Helen.
[about Hector's body]
If I let you walk out of here, if I let you take him, it changes nothing. You're still my enemy in the morning.
Priam And you're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect.
Priam I have endured what no one on earth has endured. I have kissed the hands of the man who killed my son.
Priam?
He killed my cousin!
Priam He thought it was you. How many cousins have you killed? How many fathers and brothers and sons and husbands, how many, brave Achilles?
Priam It is the will of the gods. Everything is in their hands. But I'm surprised you let him bring her.
If I'd let him fight Menelaus for her, you'd be burning a son's body instead of welcoming a daughter.
Priam We could send peace envoys to Menelaus.
You know Menelaus, he'd spear their heads to his gate.
Priam What would you have me do?
Put her on a ship, and send her home.
Priam Women have always loved Paris, and he has loved them back, but this is different. Something has changed in him. If we send her home to Menelaus, he will follow her.
This is my country, and these are my countrymen. I don't want to see them suffer so my brother can have his prize. And it's not just the Spartans coming after her. By now Menelaus has gone to Agamemnon, and Agamemnon has wanted to destroy us for years. Once we're out of the way, he controls the seas.
Priam Enemies have been attacking us for centuries. Our walls still stand.
Father...we can't win this war.
Priam Apollo watches over us. Even Agamemnon is no match for the gods.
Priam [sternly]
Do not mock the gods! When you were very young, you came down with scarlet fever. Your little hand was so hot. The healer said you would not last the night. I went down to Apollo's temple, and I prayed until the sun came up. That walk back to the palace was the longest of my life. When I went into your mother's room, and you were sleeping in her arms, the fever had broken. I promised that day to dedicate my life to the gods, I will not break my promise. For thirty years I have worked for peace, thirty years. Paris is a fool sometimes, I know that, but I will fight a thousand wars before letting him die.
Forgive me, father, but you won't be the one fighting.
Who are you?
Priam [with tears in his eyes]
I have endured what no one on earth has endured before. I kissed the hands of the man who killed my son.
Priam I know my country better than the Greeks, I think.
[walks forward, lifts Priam]
You are a brave man. I could have your head on a spit in the blink of an eye.
Priam Do you really think death frightens me now? I watched my eldest son die, watched you drag his body behind your chariot. Give him back to me. He deserves the honor of a proper burial, you know that. Give him to me.
He killed my cousin.
Priam He thought it was you. How many cousins have you killed? How many sons and fathers and brothers and husbands? How many, brave Achilles? I knew your father. He died before his time. But he was lucky not to live long enough to see his son fall. You've taken everything from me. My eldest son, heir to my throne, defender of my kingdom. I can't change what happened, it is the will of the gods. But give me this small mercy. I loved my boy from the moment he opened his eyes till the moment you closed them. Let me wash his body. Let me say the prayers. Let me place two coins on his eyes for the boatman.
[visibly moved]
If I let you walk out of here, if I let you take him, it doesn't change anything. You're still my enemy in the morning.
Priam You're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect.
