THE FIRST WAR: HOMER'S ILIAD
COURSE WEBPAGE: http://www.quia.com/pages/abarr/iliad
INSTRUCTOR: AMY E. BARR [email protected] OR
www.lukeion.org
Prepare to share a story that has been retold every generation for almost 3000 years!
This story is no “nice” fairy tale with a happy ending: it explores the realities of war,
greed, revenge, love, divinity, mortality, justice, honor, loyalty; human worth... the list
goes on. These questions and problems plague us still today. The Iliad is so rich that
some scholars spend entire careers on exploring its complex themes or mining it for
information about Homer's Dark Ages. Our goal is to enjoy it for the heroic epic that
it is. This class will help you unfold this ancient story and understand it better in its
own context.
I recommend the Stanley Lombardo translation
because he does not sacrifice narrative, rhythm, tempo
or meaning to bend the story into couplets or poetic
English. He has preserved Homer’s intentions while making
it quite readable for the modern student. I also heartily
recommend the translation by Robert Fagles.
Since we cannot cover everything in the short time we
have for class each session, I include reading questions.
Please ponder them after you have read the weekly
assignment, not while you are reading it. Enjoy the story
uninterrupted. Use the questions as a starting point for discussion
with your own family and friends or perhaps as writing prompts for
your own reflective work time.
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
Reference Timeline
Late Bronze Age in the Aegean (Mycenaean
Age) 1580-1180 BC
Possible Time of the Trojan War1180 BC
Greek Dark Ages 1180-750 BC
Possible composition of the Iliad and
Odyssey for oral presentation750 BC
Greece at its height, culturally 500-400 BC
Alexander the Great models himself on Achilles' boldness and heroic nature
356-323 BC
S ESSION 1: B OOKS 1-6 R AGE
▪ The beginning: the myths behind the epic
▪ Achilles withdraws
▪ Paris and Menelaus
▪ Hector
S ESSION 2: B OOKS 7-12 F UTILITY
ACTUAL COVERAGE FOR
EACH SESSION MAY VARY
▪ The archaeology of ancient Troy
▪ The gods
▪ Agamemnon retreats
▪ Diomedes and Odysseus as spies
▪ Paris wounds Diomedes, Patroclus on mission
S ESSION 3: B OOKS 13-18 A RMOR
▪ Warfare in the Mycenaean Age
▪ Poseidon, Hera,Zeus
▪ Patroclus and Hector
▪ the body of Patroclus
▪ The Shield of Achilles
S ESSION 4: B OOKS 19-24 L OSS
▪ Death and funerary ritual in the Bronze age
▪ Achilles reconciles
▪ The gods join the battle
▪ Achilles and Hector in front of the Trojan gates
▪ Achille’s revenge
▪ Funeral games for Patroclus
▪ A father’s request and resolution
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT
SESSION 1: RAGE (BOOKS 1-6)
C HAPTER 1
•
What is the first word of the Iliad? What this word has to do with Achilles.
As you read the entire text, trace how this emotion influences the course of events.
•
Achilles is destined to lead either a long and fameless life, or a short and
glorious one. His participation in the war is proof of his choice. With this in mind,
what are his REAL grievances against Agamemnon? What is the real heart of the
matter?
•
Agamemnon is given special information by Zeus but does something quite
strange with that knowledge, why do you think he does this? (Consider the nature of
his army for the answer)
C HAPTER 2
•
Skim the catalogue of heroes in book 2. Think: why was this included?
C HAPTER 3-6
•
We learn some interesting things about key people in this story in chapter 3,
what do we learn about the character of Paris, Hector and Menelaus? Compare and
contrast the two brothers of Trojan royalty.
•
In book 4 & 5 the gods become more involved in human affairs. How do
they help or hinder? (It is helpful to keep a running list of why the gods choose
size...and why they switch allegiances).
•
Zeus
•
Hera
•
Athena
•
Poseidon
•
Aphrodite
•
Ares
•
Summarize the affairs of gods: how are they the same or differ from those
of the mortals? What does this reveal about the relationship between gods and men
according to Greek thought?
•
Glaucus and Diomedes agree not to kill each other. Why?
•
Compare and contrast Hector with Achilles. What motivates Hector? What
motivates Achilles? Do you think Achilles always agrees with his own motives? How
did Homer feel about Hector?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
•
Who are the following? (keep track of which “side” they are on—Homer
won’t help you out much after a character is first introduced).
•
Agamemnon
•
Achilles
•
Mermidons
•
Patroclus
•
Diomedes
•
Odysseus
•
Nestor
•
Homer uses Epithets (like nicknames) for all of the gods and many of the
more important mortals. I will talk in class about why he does this...do you know
why?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
SESSION 2: HERO (BOOKS 7-12)
T O D O : DEVELOP A HERO LIST WITH TWO COLUMNS: ONE FOR THE GREEKS AND ONE FOR THE TROJANS.
WHAT QUALIFIES A MAN AS “HEROIC” IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ILIAD? WHAT KNOCKS HIM OUT OF THE CATEGORY?
DEVISE CRITERIA FROM YOUR LIST. IS THERE A “SHINING MOMENT” FOR EACH HERO? WOULD HOMER CONSIDER A
FIREFIGHTER OR A SPORTS STAR A “HERO”? WOULD HE
CONSIDER SUPERMAN A HERO?
B OOK 7
In this chapter Hector and Paris return to battle; there
are more futile attempts to end the war; Hector and
Ajax duel; Apollo and Athena watch "like vultures"
then a truce is called to burn the bodies of the fallen
warriors. What do the gods think of human built
battlements?
B OOK 8
•
Zeus bans further divine intervention. How do
the other gods do at obeying Zeus? What kind of
leader is Zeus? Is he most like a tyrant, dictator, king,
father, or democratic ruler?
•
Hector decides to camp on the plain; is he
being reckless here?
•
Why do you think that Homer includes the
simile at the end of book 8?
B OOK 9
•
Agamemnon admits his error and sends an
embassy to Achilles, consisting of Odysseus, Phoenix
and Ajax. Why does he send these three? Compare
Agamemnon's instructions with what actually
happens (focus on Odysseus). You will meet Odysseus
again in the Odyssey.
•
Agamemnon offers boundless riches, yet Achilles feels it is not enough to
repair his honor: why? Odysseus repeats Agamemnon's speech verbatim except for
the last lines: why? In general, do you feel that Achilles is being unjust or
unreasonable in this book (keeping in mind the reasons for the war, and the potential
outcome for Achilles?)
•
Phoenix tells Achilles a cautionary tale about Meleager. Do you see any
parallels between the myths of Meleager and Achilles? Why does Ajax seems to have
the most impact on Achilles?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
B OOK 10
•
To boost morale, Diomedes and Odysseus go out on a night raid against the
Trojan camps. What does this foreshadow? Look for animal imagery—why
so many “animal” links here?
B OOK 11
Many important Achaeans are injured in this chapter and then Nestor gives Patroclus
the idea to wear Achilles' armor: what does this foreshadow about the fate of an
average mortal like Patroclus yet what does it reveal about the nature of a true hero?
B OOK 12
•
Look for ways in which this book set the stage for Hector's fall. Does Hector
ever believe that he will survive the war?
•
Sarpedon and Glaucus give a statement of the heroic code—what is it? Why
do heroes risk their lives?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
SESSION 3: GODS (BOOKS 13-18)
B OOK 13
Poseidon disregards Zeus’ directive. Why? What is Poseidon’s stated relationship
with Zeus? There are several other reasons why Poseidon is angry at the Trojans—
what are they? Are you starting to get a feel for how the gods function together in
Greek religion. What type of leader is Zeus: tyrant, king, dictator, committee
chairman, father?
B OOK 14
Hera is pleased to be involved again. Why? What is her relationship with her
husband, Zeus?
B OOK 15
Zeus stops Poseidon. Is Zeus interested in the welfare of people? The politics of the
Gods? Some other motivation? Homer is said to have “painted the gods for the first
time.” What is the primary characteristic of the Greek gods that make them gods?
B OOK 16
We find Patroclus making a dangerous move. Why do you think he is compelled to
do this? Is Hector at fault in any way? Does Patroclus’ decision add to or detract
from his status as hero? Does it add to or detract from Achilles status as hero?
B OOK 17
Gore! What is Homer trying to say with this chapter? Is he
glorifying war or is he underpinning its virtues by
painting its realities clearly? Is there a point to all this
gruesome detail of is Homer just being
“gratuitous” with his gore?
B OOK 18
Here is an entirely different sort of literary
experience (the technical term is ekphrasis).
Homer describes Achilles’ new armor in great
detail. Why would he do this?
What does the description of the decoration and
themes do for the story of the Iliad? Remember
Achilles’ two fates. He had chosen a new one up until
Patroclus was killed, and then he changes his mind once
more. How does such a careful description of Achilles’ shield serve
as an ironic reminder of what Achilles is rejecting with his final fatal choice?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
SESSION 4: RESOLUTION (BOOK 19-24)
B OOK 19
•
What is Agamemnon’s
explanation for his behavior?
What do his attitude and
words really indicate?
•
What do you make of the
dispute over food at the
council or reconciliation?
B OOK 20
What is important about the
battle with the Trojan hero
Aeneas? This poem was
composed around 750 BC,
Aeneas is remembered 700
years later in the epic poem
by Virgil, The Aeneid.
B OOK 21
What role does the river Scamander play in the story? What is going on with
the Theomachy (battle of the gods)? How does the planet get involved
here?
B OOK 22
•
As Hector goes to meet Achilles in war, his loved ones feel an early sense of
loss yet Hector continues—what does this say about his heroic role? What is
his most distinctive heroic characteristic?
•
Here are some key images used by Homer during this fight—what do they
add to the story?




Race
Two springs
Zeus’ golden scales
What will be the fate of Andromache and Astyanax?
B OOK 23
•
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Achilles’ rage blows out of proportion again as he abuses Hector’s body—
what does this do to Achilles’ kleos? Patroclus has to appear in a dream to
encourage Achilles to bury him properly—what does it mean for Patroclus to
not receive a proper burial?
©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr
•
What do we come to think of Achilles at Patroclus’ funeral? Why Greek
Games at Patroclus’ funeral?
B OOK 24
•
How do the gods and other fighters view Achilles abuse of Hector’s corpse?
•
What types of ritual and customs are observed by Priam upon entering
Achilles’ tent?
•
Why does the Iliad end with the funeral of Hector? What do you think Homer
was trying to say about Achilles’ plan to be “remembered forever”? Who in
the end wins everlasting fame as an honorable hero?
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©The Lukeion Project, Amy E. Barr