Selections of the Iliad

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written source

visual source

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Sophocles

Herodotus

Homer

Aeschylus

To record and celebrate Greek heroic ideals.

To describe everyday life in ancient Greece.

To explain how the Trojan War actually occurred.

To persuade that the Trojans were victims of circumstance.

To take advantage of King Menelaus's planned absence on the island of Crete.

To claim the woman promised to him by Aphrodite, who was celebrated for her matchless beauty.

To receive honor at the court of King Menelaus.

To steal gold treasures and other costly things from Menelaus.

Paris forgot his fair young wife Oenone, showing his faithlessness as a husband.

Paris' taking of Helen and stolen treasures would soon spark war between the Trojans and the Greeks, despite the objections of Hector.

King Priam and Queen Hecuba welcomed them with rejoicing and married them shortly after their arrival in Troy, cementing their union.

Paris took Helen to Troy after being promised the most beautiful woman in the world by Aphrodite, fulfilling a divine prophecy.

King Priam and Queen Hecuba were too overcome with joy at welcoming their son back and giving him a place of honor.

Cassandra knew the evil that Paris would bring to Troy, but the joy of his return overshadowed her attempt to warn them.

Cassandra was the daughter of Priam, and the family was too busy rejoicing over the return of their son.

Cassandra had the gift of prophecy, but nobody would believe what she said.

The kings were angry that Paris had stolen gold treasures and other costly things belonging to King Menelaus.

Menelaus called upon them after returning to Sparta, initiating the call to war.

The kings had pledged to respect Helen's choice of husband and vowed to help to right such a wrong if she were stolen away.

King Priam refused the demands of the Greek ambassadors for the return of Helen and the treasures, leaving no choice but war.

The League Against Troy was formed by Menelaus's appeal to the kings and princes of Greece.

The Greek kings and princes decided a peaceful solution was needed and sent ambassadors to Troy.

The ambassadors returned home after their demands were rejected by King Priam.

King Priam, blinded by his love for his son, refused to meet the demands of the ambassadors.

It emphasizes the necessity of diplomacy before conflict, as shown by the sending of ambassadors to seek a peaceful solution.

It demonstrates the influence of Helen, whose beauty commanded the attention of many of the greatest heroes of Greece.

It highlights the importance of oaths and honor in binding powerful men to a commitment, even years after it was made.

It shows that kings and princes valued wealth and were primarily motivated by the theft of gold treasures and costly things.

Apollo prevented Achilles from successfully attacking Hector three times, causing Achilles to grow enraged.

Apollo slew Patroclus, though Hector received the glory for the deed.

Apollo gave a voice to Xanthus, one of Achilles' horses, to foretell Achilles' own death.

Apollo prevented Hector from fighting Achilles, then later snatched Hector away when Achilles leaped at him, and finally drew Achilles away from the city.

It demonstrates his concern for the riches and treasures that Paris had stolen.

It reveals his warrior code, prioritizing an honorable fight and memorable death over a shameful, pointless surrender.

It illustrates his belief that Zeus ultimately determines victory, not a warrior's strength.

It shows his fear of Achilles and his wish to return Helen to Sparta to avoid his fate.

he was following a god who had taken the form of a Trojan chief

He ran faster than Achilles

Zeus took pity on Hector and grieved that he was being pursued

he was helped by the god Apollo

It confirms that the human element of rage is more destructive than any physical weakness, as his hubris led him to his final battle.

It highlights Paris's skill as an archer, proving he was a superior warrior to Achilles when guided by the god Apollo.

It emphasizes the theme that all great warriors must eventually fall due to an unforeseen physical flaw, promoting realism in war epics.

It serves as a narrative device to finalize the balance of the war, suggesting that even the most divinely protected hero is subject to a mortal, fated vulnerability.

showing that his pursuit of vengeance was ultimately unsuccessful

allowing the Greeks to quickly win the war, fulfilling the prophecy of his mother

confirming his choice for a short, glorious life, as his final actions secured his lasting fame as the greatest warrior

undermining the oracle by proving his glory was easily forgotten after his death

Human ingenuity can always outwit divine planning.

The heroes must ultimately answer to the will and vengeance of the gods.

Even a powerful god like Apollo is powerless against a hero's armor.

The death of a hero is always more honorable when it occurs in single combat.

Pathetic Fallacy, as the weather reflects the city's imminent doom.

Foreshadowing, as the initial construction of the horse hints at future events.

In medias res, as the narrative jumps directly to the climax of the war.

Dramatic Irony, as the reader/audience knows the fatal truth that the Trojans ignore.

Greek unity under Agamemnon over Trojan internal dissent and family feuds.

Greek cunning and deceptive intelligence (represented by Odysseus) over Trojan physical defense and military might.

Greek piety toward Athena over Trojan neglect of the gods.

Greek raw strength (represented by Achilles) over Trojan diplomacy and alliances.

It symbolizes the Greek respect for Trojan traditions by gifting them an image of their city's emblem.

It is the final, irreversible consequence of Paris's original violation of guest-friendship, as the final betrayal comes from a hidden "guest."

It represents the importance of tribute and offerings to the gods for safe travel.

It proves that the most valuable treasure a city possesses is its supply of horses and war animals.

That the entire conflict, despite its heroic length, was ultimately determined by a single moment of irreversible, moral failure.

That the Greeks were always destined to win, regardless of the challenges they faced.

That the most dangerous part of any war is the night after the battle has apparently ended.

That military sieges are fundamentally inefficient and should be avoided.

The necessity of war for the advancement of Greek culture.

The brutal, irreversible consequences of unbridled vengeance and the total destruction of a civilization.

The limited power of the gods to prevent human violence.

The political skill of the Greek leaders in dividing the spoils of war among themselves.

demonstrate the importance of building walls strong enough to withstand both siege engines and deception

teach the Greeks humility by making their journey home difficult

select a new site for the eventual founding of the Roman Empire

enforce cosmic justice against the Trojans for the offense of stealing Helen and violating sacred oaths