Slide 1

The Iliad By Homercirca 900-700 BC

ConventionsInvocation-a formal plea for aid from the Muse Calliope. The Greeks believed that this immortal one spoke through the epic poets.

In medias res- The epic plunges us into the midst of things. Flashbacks fill in the background and setting.

Epic similesThese are extended, elaborate comparisons developed over many lines.These similes compare simple, everyday events to heroic events.These similes help the audience to understand in their own terms.A bird will give her fledglings every scrap/she comes by, and go hungry, foraging/That is the case with me.

Stock epithetsA descriptive adjective or phrase that is repeatedly used withor in place ofa noun or proper name.

Achilles, son of PeleusThe pale-gold goddess AphroditeThe grey-eyed goddess Athena

The Battle of TroySomewhere between 12th century and 13th century BC. The Trojan War started as a fight between three goddesses over an apple given to them by Eris, goddess of strife, the three goddesses Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, were supposed to choose the fairest one amongst them and receive the apple.

The Trojan War is said to be fought somewhere between 12th century and 13th century BC. The Trojan War started as a fight between three goddesses over an apple given to them by Eris, goddess of strife, the three goddesses Athena, Hera and Aphrodite, were supposed to choose the fairest one amongst them and receive the apple.

The goddesses went to Paris, a Trojan to ask for selection of the fairest one among them. Here Paris chose Aphrodite, and thought that she should receive the apple. This decision made Aphrodite make Helen one of the most beautiful women fall in love with Paris. Helen was married to Menelaus, however, Paris took Helen and eloped to Troy. This angered Mycenae and his brother Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, and they decided to attack the Trojans.

AgamemnonKing of Mycenae and commander of the Greek forces. He is Menelauss older brother.

MenelausKing of Sparta , brother of Agamemnon, and husband of Helen

AchillesThe son of a mortal King, Peleus, and the sea-goddess Thetis, he is the king of the Myrmidons and is the mightiest of the Greek warriors.

BriseisA girl captured by Achilles as a prize of war.

PriamThe king of Troy and the father of Hector and Paris.

HecubaThe queen of Troy and Priams wife. Here she is lamenting the death of Priam during the fall of Troy.

Paris and HelenParis is the son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba.Helen is the wife of Menelaus whose abduction by Paris sparked the legendary war.

HectorThe son of King Priam and Queen Hecuba and commander of the Trojan forces.

Andromache and AstynaxFaithful wife of Hector and their son.

OdysseusA wily, middle-aged Greek warrior . He is the protagonist of Homers Odyssey.

ThetisA sea-goddess and mother of Achilles.

Chryses begs Agamemnon for the return of his daughter Chrysies.

ApolloThe god of poetry, music and prophecy, he sides with the Trojans. He is of ten referred to only as the Son of Zeus by Leto.

AphroditeThe goddess of love sides with the Trojans.

AthenaThe goddess of wisdom, she takes the Greeks side in the conflict.

HeraWife of Zeus, she is an enemy of the Trojans.

HermesMessenger of the gods

ZeusThe father-god, he remains neutral throughout the conflict