Welcome!
The Iliad holds a unique place in the Western canon. Not only is it one of the earliest recorded pieces of literature, but, next to the Bible, it is also the most influential work ever written. Unparalleled in scope and form, the Iliad was foundational to Greek education and society. It taught men how to think and behave, it helped define the relationship between feeble man and the all-powerful gods, and it portrayed the devastating consequences of uncontrollable human emotion unchecked by governing reason. G.K. Chesterton once said that "If the world becomes pagan and perishes, the last man left alive would do well to quote the Iliad and die." Not too many pieces of literature warrant such praise from such noble authors, but the Iliad is certainly worthy of such adoration.
The purpose of this site is to help students in my English class unlock the power of this ancient text. By exploring the origin of the war, the role of the gods, the role of the major characters, and brief chapter summaries, you will find this site a helpful aide, even if you have never read the text before. Enjoy!
-Brad Thornton
P.S. Because the Iliad was originally written in Greek, any handling of text in the American classroom must rely on accurate, readable translations. Robert Fagles's 1990 translation is the best modern English translation for its clarity and accuracy. Accordingly, all text quoted in this site will come from the Fagles translation.
"The Iliad Homer" [Picture]. (1993). Retrieved November 28, 2011 from http://www.princeton.edu/hellenic/publications/princeton-faculty/