The Iliad
The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It follows Achilles’ anger, his withdrawal from battle, and his return after a terrible loss. Its battles and scenes of mourning explore honour, friendship, grief, and mercy.
What The Iliad contains
Achilles withdraws from battle
Achilles quarrels with the Greek commander Agamemnon over honour and a captive woman, Briseis. He refuses to fight, leaving the Greek army without its strongest warrior.
In The Iliad, Achilles asks his mother, Thetis, to persuade Zeus to let the Greeks suffer losses until they recognise his worth.
In The Iliad by Homer
Hector says farewell
The Trojan defender Hector visits his wife, Andromache, and their young son before returning to battle. Their meeting shows the family life threatened by the war.
In The Iliad, Hector’s son is frightened by his father’s helmet. Hector takes it off before holding the child and praying for his future.
In The Iliad by Homer
Patroclus dies and Achilles returns
Patroclus enters battle wearing Achilles’ armour and is killed by Hector. Grief drives Achilles back into the fighting, where he kills Hector.
In The Iliad, Achilles chases Hector around Troy before they face each other. After killing him, Achilles drags his body behind his chariot.
In The Iliad by Homer
Priam asks for Hector’s body
Priam, the king of Troy, enters Achilles’ shelter to ask for his son’s body. Their shared grief opens a brief space for mercy amid the fighting.
In The Iliad, Priam asks Achilles to think of his own father. Achilles weeps with him and agrees to return Hector’s body for burial.
In The Iliad by Homer
How to recognise The Iliad in stories
- Look for Achilles’ anger and his refusal to fight.
- Notice gods taking sides in the fighting around Troy.
- Watch for grief interrupting the pursuit of honour and revenge.
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Does The Iliad tell the whole story of the Trojan War?
No, The Iliad covers only a short stretch near the end of the Trojan War. It begins with the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon and ends with Hector’s funeral. The wooden horse and the fall of Troy belong to other accounts.
What is the difference between The Iliad and The Odyssey?
The Iliad centres on Achilles during the Trojan War, while The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ struggle to return home afterward. Both are attributed to Homer, but the first focuses on battle and grief, while the second gives more space to travel, disguise, and homecoming.
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