An Overview of the Trojan War
Homer's work, the Iliad, is an epic poem, which he sets during The Trojan War. Ten years have passed before the beginning of the book; Homer only covers a few weeks of the end of the war. In addition, Homer's work chronicles the battles between the King of Argos Agamemnon and Achilles, a Greek warrior. It references Greek history, legends, and other earlier events. These events include how the warriors are gathered for battle, the cause of the war, and the prophetical events that will affect the life of Achilles. Agamemnon takes Achilles' concubine, which enrages the latter and causes him to pull out of the war. Achilles enlists the help of Zeus, which angers his wife Hera. Zeus sends a prophetic dream to Agamemnon which proves to be false. The dream only contributes to Agamemnon's failure to restore order and mobilize his troops. By Book 3, a duel begins with Paris and Menelaus. Although Menelaus is successful in the battle and just as he is about to kill Paris, Aphrodite pulls him out of the battle. He is returned to his bedroom in Troy. Throughout subsequent books, Homer outlines how the truce is broken; the goddess Aphrodite is wounded; the Greek people build a wall; the fighting continues to rage; Achilles reconciles with Agamemnon; and Hector's body is recovered and buried.
Key Greek Characters
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Key Trojans
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