The Iliad

The Iliad ( ILL-ee-əd; Ancient Greek: Ἰλιάς, romanized: Iliás [iːliás]; lit. '[a poem] about Ilion (Troy)') is one of two major epics of ancient Greek literature attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of literature and remains popular with modern audiences. Like the Odyssey, the poem is divided into 24 books. The Illiad depicts significant events in the Trojan War's final weeks, and traces the anger (μῆνις) of Achilles, a celebrated warrior, from a fierce quarrel between him and King Agamemnon, to the death of the Trojan prince Hector. The narrative moves between wide battleground scenes and more personal interactions.

The Iliad and the Odyssey were likely composed in Homeric Greek, a literary mixture of Ionic Greek and other dialects, around the 8th century BC though some modern scholars have argued for a mid-7th-century BC date. The poem's formulae, use of similes, and epithets are often explored by scholars. The Iliad was widely esteemed by the ancient Greeks and formed part of their standard education; the poem's conflation of different regional dialects, and its depiction of various Greek factions uniting to fight Troy, gave it strong resonance across the Hellenistic world. It was performed by professional reciters known as rhapsodes at Greek festivals such as the Panathenaia.

Critical themes in the Iliad include kleos (glory), pride, fate, and wrath. Despite being predominantly known for its tragic and serious themes, the poem also contains instances of comedy and humor. It is frequently described as a "heroic" epic, centred around issues such as war, violence, and the heroic code. The poem contains detailed descriptions of ancient warfare, including battle tactics and equipment. However, it also explores social and domestic aspects of ancient culture in scenes behind the walls of Troy and in the Greek camp. Additionally, the Olympian gods play a major role, aiding their favoured warriors and cities on the battlefield and intervening in personal disputes. Their anthropomorphic characterisation in the poem humanised them for Ancient Greek audiences, giving a concrete sense of their cultural and religious tradition.

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