The Iliad

Outline

The Iliad (c. 8th century BCE) is an ancient Greek epic poem set during the final weeks of the Trojan War. It centres on the anger of the hero Achilles after a quarrel with King Agamemnon, and follows the tragic consequences for both Greeks and Trojans, including the fall of the Trojan prince Hector. The poem explores honour, pride, grief, and mortality, and is one of the founding works of Western literature.

• The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem set in the final weeks of the Trojan War.
• The story centres on the anger of the hero Achilles after a quarrel with King Agamemnon.
• Achilles's anger brings tragic consequences for both the Greeks and the Trojans.
• The fall of the Trojan prince Hector is one of the poem's central tragic events.
• The poem explores honour, pride, grief, and mortality, and it is a founding work of Western literature.

Homer is the ancient Greek poet traditionally credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey. Almost nothing is known for certain about his life, and scholars continue to debate how the poems were composed and passed down. His epics have influenced literature and storytelling for nearly three thousand years.