Was friend of Glaucus amp co-leader of the Lycians (fought for the Trojans). Sarpedon, son of Zeus – killed by Patroclus. Polydamas – a prudent commander whose advice is ignored he is Hector’s foil.Īgenor – a Trojan warrior who attempts to fight Achilles (Book XXI). Hector – son of King Priam and the foremost Trojan warrior. Menelaus – King of Sparta, husband of Helen and brother of Agamemnon.Īias (Ajax the Lesser) – son of Oileus, often partner of Ajax the Greater. Odysseus – King of Ithaca, the wiliest Greek commander and hero of the Odyssey.Īias (Ajax the Greater) – son of Telamon, with Diomedes, he is second to Achilles in martial prowess. It may be useful to create a bookmark of this page if it is your first time reading this complex work.Īchaeans (also called Greeks, Danaans and Argives)Īgamemnon – King of Mycenae and Overlord of the Greeks.Īchilles – Leader of the Myrmidons, half-divine war hero. To aid reading The Iliad, a list of the principle characters is provided here. The epic poem contains over 15,000 lines and is often considered to be the beginning of classic literature. Along with The Odyssey, also attributed to Homer, The Iliad is among the oldest extant works of Western literature, and its written version is usually dated to around the eighth century BC. Although the story covers only a few weeks in the final year of the war, The Iliad mentions or alludes to many of the Greek legends about the siege. Set in the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of Troy (Ilium) by an alliance of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the famed warrior Achilles.

The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. ΟΜΗΡΙΚΟΊ ΎΜΝΟΙ – The Homeric Hymns - The original Greek text Read more ΟΔΎΣΣΕΙΑ – The Odyssey - The original Greek text ΙΛΙΆΣ – The Iliad - The original Greek text PRONOUNCING ANCIENT GREEK - is a brief guide to pronouncing Ancient Greek, allowing you to voice aloud Homer's original text. OF THE ORIGIN OF HOMER AND HESIOD, AND OF THEIR CONTEST THE HOMERIC HYMNS - Translated by Hugh G. The best-known literary masterpiece of the Archaic Greek period is the so-called Homeric epics – The Illiad and The Odyssey – and The Homeric Hymns. Greek culture also significantly impacted the development of literature and education, beginning with the Romans and expanding to Europe and the West. It is on the foundation of Hellenist achievements that many of our modern advancements have developed. The longevity of Greek ideas, images, and systems of thought bears witness to the incomparable originality of ancient Greek scientific and artistic achievements and the genius of Hellenist society.

Emily wilson the illiad