Category Archives: Greek Epics

It may not be a marathon, but there’s a lot of running in Book 22 of the Iliad. Discussion Prompts Why do you think Hektor runs? What does the conversation among the gods say about fate? What about omnipotence? Why does Zeus need to weigh the fates of Achilles and Hektor? What should we thinkContinue reading “Greek Epics XXIII: Iliad Book 22, or Chariots of Fire”

It’s Achilles against the world in Book 21 of the Iliad. Discussion Prompts Where do we see the conflict between man and nature? What is the significance of the fight amongst the gods? What would you do if you were Priam, watching from the walls? Xanthos or Skamandros? Which name is better and why? We’veContinue reading “Greek Epics XXII: Iliad Book 21, or Achilles is Fighting Who Now?”

Achilles has finally entered the battlefield, and he turns out to be just as brutal of a fighter as promised. Discussion Prompts Who is your favorite character? Why? Why do you think so much time is spent on the gods? Why do you think so much time is devoted to Aeneas talking?

We still aren’t quite ready for battle, but at least Achilles and Agamemnon are friends again… Discussion Prompts Why is Achilles the only Myrmidon brave enough to look at the armor from Hephaistos? If you were a speech writer for Agamemnon, how would you rewrite his apology speech? What do you think about Briseis inContinue reading “Greek Epics XX: Iliad Book 19, or Agamemnon Apologizes… Sort Of”

Achilles has finally learned of the death of Patroklos, but there is still the little problem of Hektor wearing his armor… Discussion Prompts What do you think would have happened if Hektor had taken the advice of Poulydamas? Is it too soon to ask/answer this question? Why does Homer spend so much time describing theContinue reading “Greek Epics XIX: Iliad Book 18, or Grief Hurts”

The death of Patroklos in Book 16 is a turning point in the Iliad. In this episode we start to see the aftermath. Discussion Prompts There aren’t many named women in the Iliad. Earlier, we met Hektor’s wife, Andromache. Why do you think Zeus mentions her when he endows Hektor with strength after Hektor donsContinue reading “Greek Epics XVIII: Iliad Book 17, or You Were Expecting More Achilles, Weren’t You”

We’re 2/3 of the way through the Iliad, and the events of Book 16 will turn the tide of the war. Discussion Prompts What do you think of Achilles in this book? Why do you think Patroklos pursues the Trojans beyond the Greek walls? What do you think would have happened if Patroklos hadn’t pursuedContinue reading “Greek Epics XVII: Iliad Book 16, or Blame Achilles”

Just how is the war going? Not well. Well, unless you’re a Trojan… Discussion Prompts What do you think about Ares in this book? Or Athena? Why is it unfair for Poseidon to help the Greeks but fair for Apollo to help the Trojans? Or is it not? Who is your current favorite character? Why?Continue reading “Greek Epics XVI: Iliad Book 15, or It’s Always Darkest Before It Goes Pitch Black”

In Book 14 of the Iliad, Hera gives new meaning to the phrase “Make Love, Not War,” and we get a bit of a break from the battlefield. Sort of. This is still a war story, after all. Discussion Prompts If you’re interested in writing an essay: What purpose does the section about Hera serve?Continue reading “Greek Epics XV: Iliad Book 14, or Hera the Hippie”

Little Ajax finally gets a chance to shine! Okay, Big Ajax does, too. This is a grisly book, but you’ll have to read it yourself in order to enjoy all of the descriptions. Discussion Prompts Are the gods ruled by fate? Why or why not? Who is your favorite character at this point? Why? HektorContinue reading “Greek Epics XIV: Iliad Book 13, Featuring not One But Two Ajaxes!”