Iliad
Sign in to saveThe Iliad (; , ; ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. Like the Odyssey, the poem is divided into 24 books and was written in dactylic hexameter. It contains 15,693 lines in its most widely accepted version. The Iliad is often regarded as the first substantial piece of European literature and is a central part of the Epic Cycle.
AI overview
The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer that tells its story across 24 books written in a formal verse style, making it one of the oldest works of literature still widely read today. It is often considered the first major piece of European literature and holds a central place in the tradition of ancient Greek epics.
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Book · Open Library
- Author
- Όμηρος
- First published
- 1946
- Editions
- 18
- Subjects
- Classical literature, Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English, Achilles (Mythological character), Trojan War
via Open Library
Key facts
- Poem.name
- Iliad
- Poem.image
- Detail. Wooden board inscribed in ink with lines 468-473, Book I of Homer's Iliad. Roman Egypt. On display at the British Museum.jpg
- Poem.image_size
- 250px
- Poem.caption
- Inscription of lines 468–473, Book I. Dated 400500AD, from Egypt, on display at the British Museum
- Poem.author
- Homer
- Poem.original_title
- Ἰλιάς
Article
36 sectionsContents
- Synopsis
- Exposition (Books 1–4)
- Duels of Greek and Trojan Heroes (Books 5–7)
- The Rout of the Greeks (Books 8–15)
- The Death of Patroclus (Books 16–18)
- The Rage of Achilles (Books 19–24)
- Themes
- Religion
- Fate
- {{transliteration|grc|Kleos}}
- {{transliteration|grc|Nostos}}
- Pride
- Heroism
- {{transliteration|grc|Timē}}
- {{transliteration|grc|Hubris}}
- {{transliteration|grc|Mēnis}}
- War
- Date and textual history
- As oral tradition
- Depiction of warfare
- Depiction of infantry combat
- Modern reconstructions of armour, weapons, and styles
- Influence on classical Greek warfare
- Influence on arts and culture
- English
- 20th-century arts
- Contemporary popular culture
- Sciences
- English translations
- Manuscripts
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Additional sources
- Further reading
- External links
The Iliad (; , ; ) is one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest extant works of literature still widely read by modern audiences. Like the Odyssey, the poem is divided into 24 books and was written in dactylic hexameter. It contains 15,693 lines in its most widely accepted version. The Iliad is often regarded as the first substantial piece of European literature and is a central part of the Epic Cycle.
Set toward the end of the Trojan War, a 10-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Mycenaean Greek states, the poem depicts significant events in the war's final weeks. In particular, it traces the anger () of Achilles, a celebrated warrior, from a fierce quarrel between him and King Agamemnon, to the death of the Trojan prince Hector. The narrative moves between wide battleground scenes and more personal interactions.