The classic, attributed to Homer, tells an episode of the Trojan War. Achilles, Hector, Briseis and Patroclus are some of its protagonists. But its themes are universal and that is why it remains relevant..
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In a high school classroom, a teacher asks her students to summarize The IliadA young woman raises her hand and says confidently, “It’s a story about war, gods, and the anger of a man called Achilles.” The teacher nods, but with a smile adds, “It’s much more than that.” And she’s right.
The Iliad begins with the “disastrous anger” of Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Achaeans, who confronts King Agamemnon after a personal grievance: The theft of Briseis, whom he had taken as spoils of war. The poem, attributed to Homer, does not recount the Trojan War in its entirety, but rather the events of a few weeks during the tenth year of the conflict.
The political context reflects the clash between authority and individual heroism. Agamemnon symbolizes centralized power, while Achilles It embodies independence and the quest for personal glory. The tensions between the two are not just personal, but a microcosm of the political and ethical dilemmas of warrior societies. The play explores universal themes: honour, mortality, compassion and the consequences of war.
Achilles learns that glory comes at a cost. When he decides to retreat, he leaves his comrades to suffer on the battlefield. Only after the death of Patroclus, his beloved friend, understands the devastation that anger can cause.
Why has it transcended?
The Iliad has transcended because it deals with essential themes of the human condition. The war - which occurred between the 13th and 12th centuries BC - is a backdrop, but the heart of the poem is in its characters and their emotions. From Hector's pride as he confronts Achilles to Priam's grief as he pleads for his son's body, the play shows the heroes as vulnerable human beings.
Priam's famous line to Achilles: “Remember your own father” (Canto XXIV), sums up this shared humanity. Even in hatred, there is room for compassion.
The Italian author Alessandro Baricco In 2005, he wrote a novel entitled Homer, Iliad, where the story is told from a human point of view, removing the intervention of the gods. A contemporary look at a classic theme.
Its authorship and authenticity
The question of If Homer really existed or whether his works are the product of a collective oral tradition is a debate that continues. Some scholars maintain that The Iliad y The odyssey are the result of centuries of collecting oral stories, while others believe in the existence of a single author known as Homer.
The argument
The Iliad narrates an episode from the tenth and final year of the Trojan War, focusing on the anger of Achilles. The story begins when Agamemnon, leader of the Achaeans, refuses to return Chryseis, a prisoner of war, to her father Chryses, a priest of Apollo. This unleashes the fury of the god, who sends a plague to the Greek army. Under pressure, Agamemnon agrees to free Chryseis, but, in retaliation, takes Briseis, Achilles' slave. Enraged, Achilles He withdraws from the battle, causing heavy losses among the Achaeans.
Meanwhile, the Trojans, led by Hector, take advantage of the hero's absence to gain the upper hand in the war. Patroclus, Achilles' friend and companion, takes his armor to inspire the Greeks, but is killed by Hector. This causes Achilles to return to battle full of rage, avenging Patroclus' death by killing Hector in an epic duel. Finally, the poem culminates in a moment of humanity: the elderly King Priam begs Achilles for the body of his son Hector, and Achilles, moved, agrees.
Even though the war continues, The Iliad closes on a solemn note, reflecting on honor, mortality, and loss.
The role of the gods
Divine intervention in The Iliad has been the subject of controversy. While some critics see the gods as a symbolic representation of human emotions and dilemmas, others interpret them as a way of justifying the characters' actions. Furthermore, the relationship between divine will and human free will remains a topic of philosophical discussion.
Glorification of war
Although the poem does not skimp on showing the horrors of war, it also glorifies bravery and heroism in combat. This has led to opposing interpretations: some see The Iliad like a review implicit to war, while others consider it a work that exalts the war values.
The role of women
The treatment of female characters such as Briseis, Andromache and Helen has been the subject of critical analysis. Often seen as bargaining chips between men, their roles have been interpreted as a reflection of a patriarchal society that relegated women to the background. However, the emotional depth of characters such as Andromache and the influence of Helen on the development of the conflict have also been highlighted.
Cultural and political perspective
The Iliad It has been used to justify nationalist or expansionist ideas in different periods. For example, the myth of Troy was reinterpreted in the Middle Ages as a symbol of greatness by various cultures, each trying to appropriate its legacy. In the Enlightenment, some intellectuals criticized what they perceived as the “barbarism” of the Homeric heroes, while in Romanticism their epic and tragic character was exalted.
Translations and interpretations
The way that The Iliad The fact that Achilles has been translated over the centuries has also caused controversy. Translations often reflect the cultural and political sensibilities of each era, sometimes altering the original meaning of the text. An example is the interpretation of Achilles' “anger”: is it an act of justice, selfishness or rebellion against authority?
These controversies demonstrate that The Iliad It is not only a literary text, but also a mirror in which different cultures and eras have seen their values, conflicts and aspirations reflected.
How to approach this classic text?
The Iliad It can be intimidating because of its age and lofty language. However, you can start with accessible translations that maintain the spirit of the original. Reading with a thematic focus also helps: for example, focusing on how heroism is described or the roles of the gods.
A brilliant example of the gods in action is when Athena stops Achilles from killing Agamemnon: “I come from heaven to appease your anger […] Control yourself and obey us” (Singing I). This divine intervention underscores how the gods are extensions of human conflicts.
An exciting moment
There are many exciting moments in The Iliad. The fight between Achilles and Hector is one of them. Here is the excerpt:
"The gods are already calling me to death. I thought that the hero Deiphobus was with me, but he is within the wall, and it was Athena who deceived me. Pernicious death is near, and it will not be long, and I cannot avoid it. Thus it must have been good for Zeus and his son, who strikes from afar, who, being kind to me, saved me from danger. Now the Fates have seized me. But I would not die a cowardly and inglorious death, but rather having accomplished something great that would be known to those to come.
So saying, he drew the sharp, great, strong sword that he carried at his side. And, crouching, he rushed forward as a high-flying eagle swoops down to the plain, piercing the brown clouds, to snatch away the tender lamb or the timid hare; so Hector rushed forward, brandishing his sharp sword. Achilles charged him in turn, his heart filled with fierce rage.