Homers Background Known as The Poet Legend as a blind bard
Symbolic blindness Greeks contrasted inner vision with physical
vision
Slide 3
Homers Style Special formulaic language fixed and recurring
epithets Swift-footed Achilleus Wine-dark sea Beginning in medias
res in the middle of things Calls on a muse to inspire Fondness for
lists (genealogies and catalogues) Oral way to organize information
To give credit, immortalize
Slide 4
How did the Trojan War Start? King Peleus and Thetis (a sea
nymph) their wedding All the gods were invited Except Eris (goddess
of discord) Who wants her at a wedding??? Angry, Eris tossed golden
apple among the guests To the fairest
Slide 5
Trojan War continued Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite claimed the
prize Zeus chose Paris (Trojan prince) to decide
Slide 6
Trojan War Continued Each goddess tried to bribe Paris Hera:
King of Europe and Asia Athena: Wisdom and skill in war Aphrodite:
the most beautiful woman in the world Paris picks
Slide 7
Trojan War continued Aphrodite Hera and Athena now hate Paris
Become allies to the Greeks
Slide 8
Archetypes!!!!!!! Apple temptation, cause of discord The
failing of man tempted by women Mans character flaw (lust,
weakness) causes bloodshed and turmoil
Slide 9
Trojan War continued Helen (Greek) was the most beautiful woman
alive Married to Menelaus, king of Sparta (Greek) Paris (Troy) is a
guest at Menelaus court Steals Helen Menelaus gets help from his
brother, Agamemnon, king of Mycenae Troy vs Sparta, Mycenaean /
Greek
Slide 10
Real Sacking of Troy 1200 BCE Last attempt of the Mycenaean
Empire to remain in power Mycenaeans arrived in Greece around 2100
BCE and flourished from 1600 BCE to 1200 BCE 1100 BCE empire had
vanished 300 years of Dark Age What brought the Greeks out?
Alphabet, adapted from the Phoenicians
Slide 11
The Iliad 10 th year of the war when the poem opens Actions
happens during 51 days, mostly during 4 days Why? Its about the
rage of Achilles and the consequences of his rage
Slide 12
Who is Achilles? Leader of the Myrmidons From northern Greece
Prophecy: Stay home and live a long life / Go to war and lead a
short life, but be remembered and honored by all City-states
loosely joined to together for war booty/fame Different armies
followed different Greek leaders
Slide 13
Beginning of the Iliad Greek army besieging Troy Greeks are
stricken by plague, sent by Apollo (Troy) Why? Agamemnon (Greek)
refused to return a captive girl (Trojan) who turned out to be the
daughter of Apollos priest
Slide 14
Beginning of the Iliad and Achilles Agamemnon finally gives her
back Agamemnon steals Achilles (Greek) concubine, Briseis (Trojan)
Achilles refuses to fight Achilles is the best of all Greeks,
strongest Yet, doesnt have the most power Greeks cant win without
Achilles
Slide 15
Achilles Why is he the best, the strongest? Thetis (sea nymph)
is his mom She dipped him in the river Styx = immortality Held onto
his heel Achilles heel
Slide 16
The Iliad, Book 18 Greek situation without Achilles is BAD!
Finally, Agamemnon offers to give up Briseis and add lots of loot
Achilles says no way (pouting) Greek situation worsens morale is
low Agamemnon, Diomedes, and Odysseus are wounded Achilles says,
Nope. You stink.
Slide 17
The Iliad, Book 18 - Patroklus Patroklus Achilles best friend
Wears Achilles armor into battle Increase morale for the Greeks
Decrease morale for the Trojans Patroklus is doing great Apollo
(Troy) intervenes Helps Hector kill Patroklus
Slide 18
The Iliad, Book 18 Armor and Body Hector takes Achilles armor
BIG DEAL Greeks and Trojans fight over Patroklus body BIG DEAL
Slide 19
The Iliad, Book 18 Achilles Anger Achilles is VERY upset at
Patrokluss death Blames himself Cries out to his mom I wish you had
stayed with the immortals; your pain will be great Why? He must
avenge his friends death Prophecy: after Hector dies, Achilles will
die
Slide 20
The Iliad, Book 18 Achilles Anger Thetis (mom) to Achilles dont
leave without your armor! Athena protects Achilles while he gets
Patroklus Trojans see Achilles and want to retreat Hector says No
way, lets get them! Greek Culture: You cant escape your fate. The
only thing that singles out greatness to your personal actions in a
chaotic world.
Slide 21
Book 24 Achilles Anger Funeral for Patroklus Achilles drags
Hector around the Patroklus Apollo protects Hectors body from
decay
Slide 22
Book 24 Gods argue Some say, Enough Hermes should steal Hectors
body Hera, Poseidon, and Athena say No way! Hera and Athena hate
Trojans (Paris) Poseidon hates Trojans / offended by the
Trojans
Slide 23
Book 24 Gods argue Apollo: Hector sacrificed to all of you AND,
Achilles is acting out of pride Hera: Hector is mortal / Achilles
is half god Zeus: Hector is really a good guy Cant steal him
because Thetis is watching (Achilles mom) Send Priam with gifts /
protected by Hermes
Slide 24
Book 24 Why? Why does the Iliad end with the funeral of Hector?
What are the culminating events? What is this story REALLY about?
What is realized through Hector and Achilles?