1. The Iliad

2. The Greek Gods and Goddesses
A brief reminder of the gods and goddesses

3. Background https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr4faJfqyG0
Golden Age of Greece

4. Background Info/Literary Terms

5. Homer’s Epics Considered statements of cultural identity
Heroes embody the values of Greek culture.
Bravery, loyalty, intelligence, honor to the gods, heroism, glory, determination, etc.

6. More on Homer
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. He was a blind man whose date of birth is unknown.

7. Form In Medias Res In the middle of things
The epics begin in the middle of the story but flashback to past events.
General outline and characters of stories were already known to audience.
The Trojan War
Invocation (invoking Muses)
Muses are goddesses of poetry, art, music, and dance.
Invoking the Muse was a poet’s way of asking for inspiration and ideas.
The Odyssey, The Iliad, and Paradise Lost (Britain).

8. Stock Epithets Phrases used to rename characters based on traits
Achilles of the swift feet
Hector breaker of horses
Singer emperor of knowledge

9. Background of the Iliad
A brief reminder of what really started the Trojan War

10. Trojan War Eris – goddess of discord (disagreement)
Upset about not being invited to the wedding of Thetis and Peleus.
Made a Golden Apple labeled “for the fairest one.”
Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite
Argue over apple
Choose Paris, prince of Troy to make decision.
Each goddess offered a bribe.
Athena – wisdom; Hera – be a powerful king; and Aphrodite – the most beautiful woman

11. Trojan War Aphrodite Paris
Offers Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen.
Helen is already married to Menelaos, a Greek king.
Paris
Kidnaps Helen, the
“face that launched a
thousand ships.”

12. Trojan War Menelaos – Husband to Helen
Seeks help from Agamemnon, king of Mycenae.
War lasts ten years
The Iliad focuses on the last two months of the war.

13. Achilles Son of Thetis (sea goddess) and Peleus, a mortal.
Dipped into the Styx all except for his heel. (Achilles Heel)
Best warrior for the Greeks
Suffers from excessive
Pride (hubris) and anger.
In war for fame

14. Greeks (also known as the Acheans)
Agamemnon – Leader of Greeks/suffers from pride and stubbornness.
Patroklos – close friend of Achilles
Odysseus – most intelligent Greek and advisor to Achilles.
Hera and Athena – favor Greeks

15. Trojans Hector – best Trojan soldier and prince of Troy
King Priam – king of Troy
Paris – Hector’s brother and prince of Troy/kills Achilles.
Andromache – Hector’s wife.
Aphrodite, Apollo, and Ares – favor Trojans.
Zeus – mostly neutral but appeases gods involved.

16. Death of Achilles Many different stories:
Killed by Paris who finds out vulnerable spot from Apollo
Apollo in the disguise of Paris
Achilles falls in love with one of Priam’s daughters and is slain when he shows up for the wedding.

17. Gods/Goddesses in the Iliad
Aphrodite
Apollo
Athena
Hera
Hephaestus
Poseidon
Zeus
Ares
Artemis
Hades
Hermes
Thetis