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The Iliad. by Homer. Homer. Homer was a Greek bard ! (Poetic story-teller) The Iliad was composed sometime between 900 and 700 B.C. (same time period as Beowulf ) The Iliad and the Odyssey (both by Homer) are Europe’s first and most enduring literary epics
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The Iliad by Homer
Homer • Homer was a Greek bard! (Poetic story-teller) • The Iliad was composed sometime between 900 and 700 B.C. (same time period as Beowulf) • The Iliad and the Odyssey (both by Homer) are Europe’s first and most enduring literary epics • Historians believe Homer was blind
The Iliad & Odyssey • Tell stories about the Trojan War • The War begins when Paris of Troy kidnaps Helen of Greece, married to the King of Greece • The Iliad opens as the Trojan War enters its tenth year, and it closes several weeks later. • The story revolves around two main characters: Achilles & Hector
Helen of Greece • Paris of Troy
Agamemnon, King of the Greeks • King of the Greeks • Helen’s Husband • When Helen is taken by Paris he wages war on Troy
Achilles • Agamemnon sends for Achilles • Hero of the Greek army, known for his great fighting skills and invincibility • (Half-God) Son of the King of the Myrmidons & the God Thetis • His mother, Thetis, tried to make him immortal by dipping him into the river “Styx” as a baby (held by his heel)
Hector • Son of the King of Troy, Priam • Brother to Paris • He is the hero of the Trojans, known for his superior battle skills and bravery
Greece • Troy • The part of the story we are reading today centers around • thebattle between these two: Hector & Achilles
Words of the Day! • “Arete” • The Iliad is essentially a war story, and its heroes are warriors, but men like Achilles and Hector are not just bloodthirsty killers eager for the next fight. • Homer’s warriors to achieve “arete” or personal honer and excellence.
Words of the Day! • “Arete” • It is honorable to fight bravely for one’s king and comrades and dishonorable to seek safety for oneself when one’s friends are threatened. • To die at the hands of a more powerful enemy is far preferable to them than living with the dishonor of having fled a fight or failed to give one’s all in battle
Words of the Day! • “Simile” • One of the most important features in the Iliad is the use of extended comparisons called epic similes (also known as Homeric Similes). • Homer’s comparisons often extended over many lines and make use of the words “like” and “as” • Can you point out the similes as you read?