1. Homeric Epithet
The Iliad/Trojan War

2. Epic Poetry
Greek (and Latin) epic poetry is written in a meter called dactylic hexameter meter.
In addition to meter, the poet uses lofty, descriptive language.
It’s truly “epic” both in size and tone.
Roman schoolchildren used the Iliad, Odyssey, and Aeneid as “textbooks” for reading, writing, and important lessons like ethics, religion, etc.

3. What is an Epithet?
An epithet is a descriptive word or a phrase that a writer frequently connects to a certain character.
In epic poems such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, it adds description and also helps the poet complete the number of syllables needed for that line of poetry.
Sometimes epithets are hyphenated in English because just one English word can’t translate the original Greek word

4. swift-footed
Achilles

5. wide-ruling
Agamemnon

6. red-haired
Menelaus

7. Hector,
breaker
of horses

8. white-armed
Andromache

9. Paris,
son of Priam

10. lovely-haired
Helen

11. great-hearted
Odysseus

12. wide-seeing
Zeus

13. ox-eyed
Hera

14. gray-eyed
Athena

15. silver-footed
Thetis

16. stallion-breaking
Trojans

17. long-haired
Achaeans
strong-greaved
Achaeans
bronze-
cloaked
Achaeans
Achaeans = “Greeks”

18. Let’s read… In your groups, read the selection from the Iliad provided
Find as many examples of epithets as you can and highlight them.

19. Your Turn! Create your own epic epithets, following the Homeric model.
You will create 3 epithets:
One for yourself
One for a family member or pet
One for a friend
N.B.: Epithets cannot be hurtful or inappropriate. Stay classy! (Mrs. Sellers is the final authority on this issue.)
Your epithets can be single words, phrases, or hyphenated words.
Each epithet should be illustated on a 1/3 sheet of construction paper.