Iliad Resources
This is a page containing all of my resources and posts on the Iliad in one convenient place.
Cast of the Iliad
This list will give you both the Latin and Greek names of the characters (when relevant) as well as a brief description of who they are.
Myths and Legends From the Iliad
This is a list of references the Iliad makes to ancient Greek legends and myths.
Fun Facts About the Iliad
#1: The Iliad got its name from the Greek historian Herodotus.
Continue reading for more fun facts!
My Essay on the Iliad
Revenge and its Discontents
ILIAD ESSAY
The Iliad is the first stepping-stone in the road on my journey through the Western Canon.
Wends of Change Audio, Episode 1: Revenge and its Discontents (On the Iliad by Homer)
Audio version of my essay on the Iliad.
My Posts
Achilles and Agamemnon Feud
ILIAD, BOOK 1
Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.
Zeus' Deception
ILIAD, BOOK 2
Thus [Agamemnon] prayed, but the son of Saturn would not fulfill his prayer. He accepted the sacrifice, yet none the less increased their toil continually.
The Truce
ILIAD, BOOK 3
“Sir,” answered Helen, “father of my husband, dear and reverend in my eyes, would that I had chosen death rather than to have come here with your son, far from my bridal chamber, my friends, my darling daughter, and all the companions of my girlhood. But it was not to be, and my lot is one of tears and sorrow.”
War Breaks Out
ILIAD, BOOK 4
And now no man would have made light of the fighting if he could have gone about among it scatheless and unwounded, with Minerva leading him by the hand, and protecting him from the storm of spears and arrows. For many Trojans and Achaeans on that day lay stretched side by side downwards upon the earth.
Diomedes and Hector Ravage The Battlefield
ILIAD, BOOK 5
“Fear not, Diomed, to do battle with the Trojans, for I have set in your heart the spirit of your knightly father Tydeus. Moreover, I have withdrawn the veil from your eyes, that you know gods and men apart. If, then, any other god comes here and offers you battle, do not fight him; but should Jove’s daughter Venus come, strike her with your spear and wound her.”
Hector's Resolve
ILIAD, BOOK 6
“Wife, I too have thought upon all this, but with what face should I look upon the Trojans, men or women, if I shirked battle like a coward? I cannot do so: I know nothing save to fight bravely in the forefront of the Trojan host and win renown alike for my father and myself. Well do I know that the day will surely come when mighty Ilius shall be destroyed with Priam and Priam’s people… for none of these do I grieve as for yourself when the day shall come on which some one of the Achaeans shall rob you for ever of your freedom, and bear you weeping away.”
A Ceasefire for the Dead
ILIAD, BOOK 7
The sun was beginning to beat upon the fields, fresh risen into the vault of heaven from the slow still currents of deep Oceanus, when the two armies met. They could hardly recognize their dead, but they washed the clotted gore from off them, shed tears over them, and lifted them upon their waggons.
The Trojans Push Back
ILIAD, BOOK 8
But when the sun had reached mid-heaven, the sire of all balanced his golden scales, and put two fates of death within them, one for the Trojans and the other for the Achaeans. He took the balance by the middle, and when he lifted it up the day of the Achaeans sank; the death-fraught scale of the Achaeans settled down upon the ground, while that of the Trojans rose heavenwards. Then he thundered aloud from Ida, and sent the glare of his lightning upon the Achaeans; when they saw this, pale fear fell upon them and they were sore afraid.
Agamemnon's Petition to Achilles
ILIAD, BOOK 9
“Cruel Jove gave me his solemn promise that I should sack the city of Troy before returning, but he has played me false, and is now bidding me to go ingloriously back to Argos with the loss of much people… Now, therefore, let us all do as I say and sail back to our own country, for we shall not take Troy.”
Incursion of Spies
ILIAD, BOOK 10
“Menelaus, we both of us need shrewd counsel to save the Argives and our ships, for Jove has changed his mind, and inclines towards Hector’s sacrifices rather than ours.”
A Fleeting Stalemate
ILIAD, BOOK 11
And now the son of Saturn as he looked down from Ida ordained that neither side should have the advantage, and they kept on killing one another.
The Trojans Breach the Gates
ILIAD, BOOK 12
Even so was the fight balanced evenly between them till the time came when Jove gave the greater glory to Hector son of Priam...
Tug of War
ILIAD, BOOK 13
Thus, then, did [Jove and Neptune] devise a knot of war and battle, that none could unloose or break, and set both sides tugging at it, to the failing of men’s knees beneath them.
Hera "Distracts" Zeus
ILIAD, BOOK 14
[Hera] set herself to think how she might hoodwink [Zeus], and in the end she deemed that it would be best for her to go to Ida and array herself in rich attire, in the hope that Jove might become enamoured of her, and wish to embrace her.
Hector Brings Fire and Fury
ILIAD, BOOK 15
“If any of you is struck by spear or sword and loses his life, let him die; he dies with honour who dies fighting for his country; and he will leave his wife and children safe behind him, with his house and allotment unplundered if only the Achaeans can be driven back to their own land, they and their ships.”
Patroclus Enters the War
ILIAD, BOOK 16
He knew not what he was asking, nor that he was suing for his own destruction.
The Fight Over Patroclus
ILIAD, BOOK 17
“A! poor wretch, you arm in the armour of a hero, before whom many another trembles, and you reck nothing of the doom that is already close upon you. You have killed his comrade so brave and strong, but it was not well that you should strip the armour from his head and shoulders.”
Achilles Vows to Fight
ILIAD, BOOK 18
“Olympian Jove has indeed vouchsafed me the fulfilment of my prayer, but what boots it to me, seeing that my dear comrade Patroclus has fallen—he whom I valued more than all others, and loved as dearly as my own life?”
Achilles and Agamemnon Reconcile
ILIAD, BOOK 19
"It has been well for Hector and the Trojans, but the Achaeans will long indeed remember our quarrel. Now, however, let it be, for it is over. If we have been angry, necessity has schooled our anger."
Achilles and the Gods Enter the War
ILIAD, BOOK 20
“For my own part I shall stay here seated on Mt. Olympus and look on in peace, but do you others go about among the Trojans and Achaeans, and help either side as you may be severally disposed. If Achilles fights the Trojans without hindrance they will make no stand against him; they have ever trembled at the sight of him…”
Achilles Splits the Trojan Army
ILIAD, BOOK 21
“Idiot,” said [Achilles], “talk not to me of ransom. Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive; but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilius—and of all Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore, my friend, you too shall die.”
The Final Moments of Hector
ILIAD, BOOK 22
“Fool, prate not to me about covenants. There can be no covenants between men and lions, wolves and lambs can never be of one mind, but hate each other out and out all through. Therefore there can be no understanding between you and me, nor may there be any covenants between us, till one or other shall fall and glut grim Mars with his life’s blood.”
Achilles Gets a Visitor
ILIAD, BOOK 24
“Fear, O Achilles, the wrath of heaven; think on your own father and have compassion on me, who am the more pitiable, for I have steeled myself as no man yet has ever steeled himself before me, and have raised to my lips the hand of him who slew my son.”