The Iliad

Homer's The Iliad is an epic poem set during the Trojan War, focusing on a few pivotal weeks in the tenth and final year of the conflict. Centered on the rage of the Greek hero Achilles, the story unfolds after he withdraws from battle in a dispute with King Agamemnon, setting in motion a chain of tragedy, honor, and fate. As the Trojans, led by the noble Hector, gain ground, the Greeks suffer heavy losses. Achilles' closest companion, Patroclus, enters the fray in his place and is killed by Hector, sparking Achilles' devastating return to battle. The poem explores themes of glory, wrath, mortality, and the will of the gods, culminating in Achilles' vengeance and the poignant burial of Hector. Though it does not recount the entire war, The Iliad captures its emotional and heroic core, offering a profound meditation on the cost of honor and the fragility of human life. A cornerstone of Western literature, it blends myth, drama, and timeless insight into the human condition.