The Iliad - An Introduction
The Iliad is an epic that tells about only a few weeks during the Trojan War.
The Iliad does not tell the entire story of the war, which is supposed to have lasted for ten years.
But the audience is expected to be familiar with the entire story of the Trojan War, including all the events that occurred before and after the war.
These pre- and post-war events are referred to in the Iliad, but they are not explained, so here are a few of the most important stories.
What did Hecuba dream while she was pregnant with Paris?
When Hecuba told her dream to her daughter Cassandra, what did Cassandra advise her parents to do?
Why didn't her parents believe or listen to Cassandra?
Even though they were attracted to Thetis, why were Zeus and Poseidon happy that Thetis was marrying Peleus, a mortal man (and Argonaut)?
Who was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis?
Why weren't they invited?
What did they do because they were not invited?
Which three goddess fought over the golden apple?
Why did Zeus defer judgement over who the apple belonged to?
What did the goddesses offer to Paris to attempt to persuade him to choose themselves as the recipient of the apple?
Who did Paris give the apple to?
What was the problem with Aphrodite's offer?
Why did Menelaus leave Sparta, affording Paris the opportunity to leave with Helen?
How was Menelaus able to persuade the other Greek kings to join him in retrieving Helen?
Who came up with the idea to have all of Helen's suitors swear an oath to accept the groom of Helen and aid him against anyone who attacked Helen?
What did Odysseus do to try and avoid fulfilling his oath?
How did Menelaus thwart Odysseus' attempt to avoid going to war?
Why didn't Thetis want her son Achilles to go to war?
How did she try to hide Achilles?
How did Odysseus trick Achilles into revealing himself?
Why were the Greeks unable to leave Aulis and set sail for Troy?
How did Odysseus trick Clytemnestra into sending her daughter, Iphigenia, to Agamemnon at Aulis?
What do some versions of the story claim happened to Iphigenia instead of being sacrificed?
Why was it more difficult than the Greeks expected to attack Troy?
How long did the Trojan War last?
When does the story of the Illiad take place?
What were the four conditions that Helenus, the Trojan seer, had said were necessary before Troy could fall?
Who came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse?
Why did the Trojans think the Greeks had given up and gone home?
How can you describe the voyages home for most of the Greek heroes?