The Iliad

"The Iliad" by Homer is an ancient epic poem that tells the story of the Trojan War and explores major themes such as honor and anger. The story starts with a disagreement between Agamemnon and Achilles, who are both Greek warriors. Agamemnon angers the god Apollo when he refuses to return a captured woman, and Apollo sends a terrible disease to the Greeks. Adding to the conflict, Achilles gets mad and refuses to fight after Agamemnon takes his prize, Briseis. As the story goes on, readers get to know important characters like Nestor and Hector, and the plot shows how personal feelings can affect battles. The beginning of "The Iliad" focuses on how revenge, divine actions, and hurt feelings can change the course of the war.