The Iliad
What is an Epic? Long, narrative poems Tell the adventures of heroes who in some way embody the values of their civilization.
Homer’s Iliad Homer is said to be the first teller of adventures of all times. He was not the first author because in his day stories were passed down--- they were told. Lived about 400 years after the timeline of The Iliad (Which takes place around 1200 BCE) Composed The Iliad around 800-725 BCE Written down sometime between 725 and 675 BCE
What types of epics are the Iliad and the Odyssey? Iliad – War Epic Odyssey – Journey
The Beginning of War King Menelaus called on all those who were loyal to him. They gathered a huge army, and built a thousand ships to carry the army to Troy Helen of Sparta was now called “Helen of Troy” She was “The face that launched a thousand ships”
The Trojan War The battle raged for nearly 10 years Many great heroes lost their lives A prophet predicted that Troy could be captured only with the help of Achilles (Destiny/Fate).
The Hero Achilles Knowing of the prophecy, and worried that her son would be killed in war, Achilles’ mother Thetis dipped him in the river Styx to make him immortal. His only weakness was the place on his heels where she held him. (This is actually a Roman addition to the epic, and Homer had no knowledge of that version of Achilles’ background)
The Iliad It begins In Media Res (In the middle) Details the last year of the 10 year war Invocation of the Muses Characteristics: Homeric Similes Lengthy comparisons to help listeners visualize the action Epithets “The Far-Shooting” Apollo “Man-Slaying” Hector “Wide-Ruling” Agamemnon “Son of _____” Son of Atreus Agamemnon Son of Peleus Achilles
Discussion Think about the last time you felt dishonored or discredited, like you deserved more recognition or praise than you received. Discuss with your neighbor. How does anger or shame from feeling dishonored make people act? How did it make you act?
Chapter 1 Characters may include: (G) Agamemnon (G) Achilles (T) Apollo (T) Chryseis (T) Briseis (G) Athena (G) Nestor (G) Calchas (T) Priest of Apollo (N) Zeus G: Greek T: Trojan N: Neutral Write a short skit to convey the first chapter’s events of The Iliad. -- Each line may be no longer than three words! (Contractions OK) --The entire skit must not exceed 10 speaking lines! You may have to present it to the class, so be prepared!
Questions to Discuss What is the scene about? What are the two leaders fighting about? How would you describe the tone or nature of this war of words between two honored war heroes? Had you ever considered that ancient Greek war heroes might have a fight of this nature? How would you expect them to behave? What function do the women serve in this scene (whether they are mentioned or actually appear in the scene?)? How do you feel about women being the sought after and fought over as a ‘prize?’