WLCL 320

Iliad, Study Guide Although you should be familiar with the plot of the entire poem, the note shells on Moodle provide you with the most important passages that will be the subject of specific questions.




 You should be familiar with the following characters (and be ready to recognize their most famous epithets):

 Gods 

Zeus – King of the gods, "Father of gods and men"

Hera – Queen of the gods, "Ox-eyed" or "White-armed"

Athene (Athena) – Goddess of wisdom and war, "Pallas" or "Grey-eyed"

Apollo – God of the sun, archery, and plague, "Phoebus" or "Far-shooter"

Poseidon – God of the sea, "Earth-shaker"

Thetis – Sea nymph, mother of Achilleus

Hephaestus – God of fire and blacksmithing, "Lame god"

Ares – God of war, "Curse of men"

Aphrodite – Goddess of love, "Laughter-loving"

Iris – Messenger of the gods

 Mortals

Agamemnon – King of Mycenae, leader of the Greek army, "Lord of men"

Menelaos (Menelaus) – King of Sparta, husband of Helen

Achilleus (Achilles) – Greatest Greek warrior, "Swift-footed" or "Son of Peleus"

Patroklos (Patroclus) – Close companion of Achilleus

Aias (Ajax) – A powerful Greek warrior, "Bulwark of the Achaeans"

Diomedes – Greek hero known for his courage and ability to wound the gods

Odysseus – King of Ithaca, known for his cunning, "Resourceful" or "Much-enduring"

Nestor – Wise old king of Pylos, known for his lengthy speeches

Chryseis – Daughter of Chryses, taken as a war prize by Agamemnon

Briseis – Achilleus’ war prize, taken by Agamemnon

Chryses – Priest of Apollo, father of Chryseis

Helen – Wife of Menelaos, taken to Troy by Paris, "Face that launched a thousand ships"

Aeneas – Trojan hero, son of Aphrodite

Hektor (Hector) – Greatest Trojan warrior, "Tamer of horses"

Andromache – Wife of Hektor

Astyanax – Young son of Hektor and Andromache

Priam – King of Troy, father of Hektor and Paris

Alexandros (Paris) – Prince of Troy, "Woman-stealer"

 Priam

 Alexandros/Paris

 Iliadic themes: 

Anger (of mortals and gods)

  • The Iliad begins with the “wrath of Achilleus” and explores how anger leads to destruction.

  • Gods also display anger, such as Apollo sending a plague to the Greeks due to Agamemnon’s disrespect of his priest.

2. Gods’ Interventions in the War

  • The gods constantly interfere in battle, choosing sides and directly aiding warriors.

  • Examples: Athena helping Diomedes, Aphrodite saving Paris, Zeus balancing the fate of warriors.

3. Relation Between Gods and Fate

  • Although the gods influence events, fate ultimately determines the outcome.

  • Zeus respects fate, such as when he allows Hektor to die despite Thetis’ pleas for Achilleus.

4. Human Emotions: Love, Anger, Compassion, Fear

  • Achilleus’ anger at Agamemnon, Hektor’s love for Andromache, Priam’s grief for his son.

5. Violence, Revenge, and Forgiveness

  • Achilleus’ revenge on Hektor for Patroklos’ death.

  • The contrast between revenge and the moving scene of Priam begging for Hektor’s body.

6. Leadership, Honor, Glory, and Friendship

  • The competition among Greek leaders (Agamemnon, Achilleus, Odysseus) for the honor.

  • Friendship: Achilleus and Patroklos, Hektor and his family.

7. War Code and Virtues (Courage, Bravery, Wisdom, Respect for the Gods)

  • Warriors are judged by their courage and battle skills.

  • Diomedes follows Athena’s guidance, showing wisdom in battle.

8. The Force of Fate

  • Hektor accepts his fate to die at Achilleus’ hands.

  • Achilleus is aware of his own destined short life.