Iliad

The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer.

The Iliad is an ancient Greek epic poem traditionally attributed to Homer. It is one of the oldest surviving works of Western literature and tells of events during the Trojan War, with Achilles as its central figure. The poem is divided into 24 books and written in dactylic hexameter, comprising 15,693 lines in standard editions.

Composition and form

The Iliad was likely composed in the 8th century BCE, emerging from a long oral tradition. It survives as a poem of 24 books in dactylic hexameter and is commonly treated as a single complete work.

Plot and themes

The poem is set during the Trojan War and concentrates on a brief period in the war’s final year. Its main themes include anger, honour, mortality, and the human cost of conflict.

Literary significance

The Iliad is among the earliest extant works of Greek literature and is central to the study of classical philology. It has had lasting influence on Western literary tradition and later epic poetry.

Authorship and transmission

The poem is traditionally attributed to Homer, though Homer’s historical identity is uncertain. Ancient scholars later organized the text into books, and the version now read is based on this long transmission history.