The Iliad by Homer

Written in 44 BC

*See your around the room activity sheet for information about Homer

Historical Fiction/Mythology

• The Iliad is like a tall tale with some parts that are based on facts

• For example, there really was a Trojan War• Characters in The Iliad may have lived during

the Trojan War, but certain details about the characters were created by Homer.

• The character Achilles, may have been developed from a combination of fierce warriors.

• Troy was a real place in modern day Turkey• The lost city of Troy, it’s high walls and

towers were recently discovered.• It’s believed that Troy was destroyed by

an earthquake. • There was a Trojan War, but we are

unsure why. • The Trojans possibly fought the Greeks

because of a waterway near Troy.

Excavating the Ruins of Troy

Read Page 55 in the text1. List two things about Homer2. Describe Achilles3. Describe Hector4. Explain how the war began - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5.Was the Trojan War real? List two details

about this.

Why read The Iliad?*This is on your around the room activity

worksheet

• To become familiar with the first piece of literature the western world has to offer• To discover an exciting war story

What is an Epic? *This is on your around the room activity

worksheet

A long poem usually about a hero.The Iliad is an epic poem.

Examples of epic poems: The Odyssey, Beowulf

Movie examples: Star Wars, Lord of the Rings

Epic Simile-copy this•A comparison using like or as that extend over many lines

Map of Greece and Troy

Map of Greece and Troy

• The Iliad begins during the tenth year of war. • In medias res--To begin in the

middle of the action.• Epithet-Descriptive word or phrase

used in place of a name. • Example “Swift-footed Achilles”

Characters in The Iliad

Do not copy this

The Greeks

Also known as: AchaeansDannansArgives

King Agamemnon

MenelausMenelaus

Brothers

Achilles

Who was Achilles?

•Son of the Peleus (Dad) and the Thetis (Mom). Thetis attempted to make her son immortal.

•Thetis held Achilles by the heel and dipped him in the river Styx, but the heel remained dry and was unprotected.

•MOVIE--Patroclus was not his cousin in the written text

Patroclus

The Trojans

King Priam

Prince HectorPrince ParisPrince Paris

Brothers

Who was Hector?

• Oldest of 50 sons belonging to King Priam • Younger brother named Paris

Who was Paris?

• Took Helen to Troy

• Helen was married to Menelaus

• His brother Hector was killed by Achilles and Paris was later killed during the Trojan War

• His brother Deiphobus marries Helen, but Menelaus kills him and takes Helen back to Greece

Helen of Troy(originally Helen of Sparta)

MOVIE1. Patroclus is

Achilles’ cousin2. Menelaus is killed

by Hector3. Achilles ties

Hector’s feet4. Helen is with Paris

at the end5. No Gods in the

movie 6. Hector wears his

own armor

Epic Poem1. Patroclus is his lover or dear

companion2. Menelaus lives to see the end of

the war

3. He pierces the feet4. She ends up with Paris’ brother

Diephobus. He is killed by Menelaus. Menelaus takes her back to Greece

5. Gods on both sides during the fight between Hector and Achilles

6. Wears the armor he stripped from Patroclus who was wearing armor belonging to Achilles.

Vocabulary and Literary Devices in The Iliad

Use Page 56 in your textbook, page 30 workbook and a dictionary

1. Groveling2. Gallant3. Scourge4. Fawning5. Metaphors pg

1193 or 1423

Definitions

1. Groveling: Crawling, humiliating oneself in front of authority.

2. Gallant: Noble, brave.3. Scourge: Means of inflicting severe

punishment. Refers to a whip.4. Fawning: Cringing and pleading.5. Metaphor: Something used to represent

something else. Example: “Sea of troubles”

Figurative Language**Author’s use this in order to achieve

a special effect or meaning in their stories

Similes and metaphors are examples of figurative language.

Imagery

• Used to help readers create pictures in their minds of what is being described

• Examples of imagery from The Death of Hector–Raining spears–His dark hair swirling round that head–Tall Hector, helmet flashing

Workbook Page 31

• Read The Death of Hector

Workbook Pages 31-36Questions

1. How long has the war been going on between the Greeks and the Trojans?

2. What pact does Hector want to make with Achilles?

3. Why are Hector and Achilles fighting?4. How did Hector end up wearing Achilles’

armor?5. What does groveling mean?6. Give a detail about the armor Hector is

wearing.