The Iliad by Homer (800)

Name: The Iliad
Author: Homer

The Iliad is an epic poem by Homer, written in the 8th century BC. It tells the story of the ten-year siege of Troy by the Greeks, and the events leading up to it. The poem begins with the gods on Mount Olympus discussing the fate of the Greeks and Trojans. Zeus, the king of the gods, decides to let the two sides fight it out. The story then focuses on the Greek hero Achilles, who is the greatest warrior of the Greeks. He is angered by the slight of his leader Agamemnon, and refuses to fight. This leads to a series of events that eventually leads to the death of Achilles' beloved friend Patroclus. Achilles is filled with rage and grief, and decides to rejoin the battle. He kills the Trojan prince Hector in single combat, and then desecrates his body. This leads to a final battle between the Greeks and Trojans, which the Greeks eventually win. The poem ends with the funeral of Hector, and the Greeks sailing home with the spoils of war.

By Homer · First published 800 · Genre: Epic Poetry, Classical Literature, Mythology · 24 chapters · 168,551 words

First lines

ARGUMENT: In the war of Troy, the Greeks having sacked some of the neighbouring towns, and taken from thence two beautiful captives, Chryseis and Briseis, allotted the first to Agamemnon, and the last to Achilles. Chryses, the father of Chryseis, and priest of Apollo, comes to the Grecian camp to ransom her; with which the action of the poem opens, in the tenth year of the siege. The priest being refused, and insolently dismissed by Agamemnon, entreats for vengeance from his god, who inflicts a pestilence on the Greeks. Achilles calls a council, and encourages Calchas to declare the cause of it, who attributes it to the refusal of Chryseis. The King being obliged to send back his captive, enters into a furious contest with Achilles, which Nestor pacifies; however, as he had the absolute command of the army, he seizes on Briseis in revenge. Achilles in discontent withdraws himself and his forces from the rest of the Greeks; and complaining to Thetis, she supplicates Jupiter to render them sensible of the wrong done to her son, by giving victory to the Trojans. Jupiter granting her suit, incenses Juno, between whom the debate runs high, till they are reconciled by the address of Vulcan. The time of two-and-twenty days is taken up in this book; nine during the plague, one in the council and quarrel of the Princes, and twelve for Jupiter's stay among the Ethiopians, at whose return Thetis prefers her petition.

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The Iliad is listed on Textopian as a novel by Homer, dated 800 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Homer
Date: 800 CE
Language: English
Genres: Epic Poetry, Classical Literature, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Adventure
Length: 168,551 words
Structure: 24 chapters, 3,187 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Iliad?
How does this novel by Homer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Epic Poetry first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Epic Poetry — The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer, and is considered one of the earliest and most influential works of Western literature.
Classical Literature — The Iliad is a classic work of literature, written in Ancient Greek and set during the Trojan War.
Mythology — The Iliad is based on Greek mythology, and includes gods and goddesses as characters in the story.
Historical Fiction — The Iliad is set during the Trojan War, and includes historical figures and events in the narrative.