Gods, Gore, and Glory

Takes place in the city of Troy, which is also known as Ilium. The word “Iliad” means the story of Ilium. (The Aeneid is the story of Aeneas.) This is misleading.

The Iliad was likely written in the late 8 th - to early 7 th - century BC. Commonly attributed to the Greek poet, Homer. It is set in the 10 th and final year of the Trojan War. The battle between the Trojans and the Achaeans, Greeks, Myrmidons, Danaans, Argives, etc. Began because of the Judgment of Paris

Why is it epic? Contains an epic hero: a virtuous and noble figure, proven in battle, who represents his nation, culture, or race. Lengthy Lofty, serious style Contains Homeric similes (also known as epic similes) Begins in medias res Starts with an invocation of the muse

Why is it poetry? Remember, The Iliad is a poem. It is written in hexameter verse. There are six feet in a row. Each line has six primary stresses. It is the most common form of verse in epics.

Usually descendent from a god or goddess Participates in cyclical journey or quest Exemplifies traits and morals for his people Embodies cultural and religious beliefs Examples: Achilles, Aeneas, Beowulf, Cu Chulain, Dante, Hector, King Arthur, and Odysseus.

Latin phrase that means “in the middle of things” The Iliad begins in the 10 th and final year of the Trojan War. Characters are already established. We don’t see the first nine years of the war. We don’t see the abduction of Helen. We do need exposition to learn about the past.

The goddess is the muse, the personification of the poet’s inspiration. The poet did not consciously compose his verses; the muse instructs him what to say. The verses were recited in song.

A comparison between two unlike things using like, as, than, or resembles. Ex: “The arrows clanged at his back as the god quaked with rage/ the god himself on the march and down he came like night.” (ll ).

Lengthy comparisons that use like, as, than, or resembles between something and nature. Ex: “Rank and file/ streamed behind and rushed like swarms of bees/ pouring out a rocky hollow, burst on endless burst,/ bunched in clusters seething over the first spring blooms,/ dark hordes swirling into the air, this way, that way - / so the many armed platoons from the ships and tents/ came marching on, close-file, along the deep wide beach/ to crowd the meeting grounds.” (ll ).

When an action in The Iliad or The Odyssey is found only in that text, likely due to it being freely invented by the poet, Homer. Achilles reminds his mother, Thetis, that Zeus owes her a favor because she saved Zeus from an attack by Hera, Poseidon, and Pallas Athena, who all support the Achaeans in the Trojan War. (ll ). This scene is not referred to in any other text. Homer likely invented it to close a plot hole in his text: the fact that Zeus would need to do something for Thetis.

Long, high-sounding labels that accompany almost every appearance of a hero, god, or familiar object. “Olympian Lord of Lightning”, “Marshall of Fighting Armies”, “the Swift Runner”, “Man-Killing.”

These epithets give the oral singer (also known as a bard or scop) time to concentrate of what is coming next in the story. If the bard is creative, he will think of his own phrases as he recites formulas he can sing without effort. These epithets are examples of the oral history of The Iliad.

A descriptive adjective which has a general application to its noun but no special significance for the present circumstance. Example: Hollow ships (ll ), Murmuring sea (l )

Characters are often referred to by the father’s name and the suffix ‘ides’. Achilles is the son of Peleus. Achilles = Pelides. Diomedes is the son of Tydeus. Diomedes = Tydides. Agamemnon and Menelaus are the sons of Atreus. Agamemnon or Menelaus = Atrides. (However, when referring to both characters, they are called Atridae.) The suffix “is” sometimes means that character is the daughter of her father. Chryseis = Daughter of Chryses Briseis = Daughter of Brises

Sacrifices were made to appease the gods and to win their favor. Characters would pray to the gods, scatter grains of barley, pull back the animal’s head, and slit it’s throat. They would then skin the carcass. Characters would wrap the thigh bones of an animal in folds of fat and then burn them for the gods. The more nutritious parts (and entrails) were consumed by the worshipers. They would also drink diluted wine from a goat skin sack and pour some out for the gods.

1. Agamemnon: Commander of the Achaeans 2. Nestor: Old and wise 3. King Idomeneus 4. Great and Little Ajax 5. Diomedes 6. Odysseus Uncalled: Achilles, Menelaus

The attribution of human characteristics to non- human beings. Examples: Dream, Rumor, Dawn. The non-human actually takes the human form, unlike in personification, where it is only described as humanlike. These characters are also deified. They are made to be gods or goddesses.

Paris (Book 3), Agamemnon (Book 11), Patroclus (Book 16), Achilles (Book 19). Almost always goes in this order: 1. Greaves: shin guards worn to protect the fighter from low flying arrows. 2. Breastplate 3. Sword 4. Shield 5. Helmet 6. Spear(s)

Menelaus (centre-left) pursues Paris (centre-right) as Aphrodite (left) and Artemis (right) watch on. Side A from an Attic red-figure kylix (drinking cup), ca. 490–460 BC. From Capua. In the Louvre Museum, Paris, France.

The space between the Achaean and Trojan lines. This is where single-combat battles take place.

A very formal style of turn-based fighting between two individual fighters. They would start by hurling spears. Then they would use swords and shields Then they would use rocks and boulders

Greek work that literally translates to “Excellence”, But more closely means “Warrior’s prowess in battle”. It’s the story of an individual fighter’s feats in battle. Diomedes has his aristeia in Book 5; Hector, Book 8; Patroclus, Book 16; Achilles, Book 21; Odysseus, Book 22.

There are 10 characteristics: Arming Scene Brilliance of armor and hero Exhortation to followers Initial exploit Setback (wounding)

There are 10 characteristics: Divine Inspiration Renewed exploits Double Simile The Kill Taunting the Victim