WOTH Iliad Quotes and Summaries all books 1-24 Flashcards
books 1-15, not book 10- needs adding (108 cards)
1
Q
Aspects of a Homeric Hero
A
attention of the gods
shows emotion
physically impressive
epithets
civilised
fights for and respects his family/ homeland
fights for glory- kleos
MORTAL
self-control
noble birth
2
Q
Kleos
A
glory earned through battle
immortality- generations know a fighters name
3
Q
Timé
A
honour
the good opinion of other men through achievements
4
Q
menos
A
might
the surge of anger they feel on the battlefield
5
Q
charma
A
joy in fighting
6
Q
thumos
A
enthusiasm for figthing
7
Q
aidos
A
shame
fear of disgrace
respect for gods, friends and enemies
8
Q
Geras
A
prizes
earned by war
timé is shown by this
9
Q
oral tradition define
A
hundreds of years of repetition by bards
in media res- the audience would understand the story
artistic, meant to memorised and sung
10
Q
oral tradition techniques
A
dactylic hexameter
epithets
repeated scenes
formulae- cataloguing
rhapsode
11
Q
book 1 Women
A
only seen as geras
‘help myself to your prize … And what an angry man I will leave” by Agamemnon
‘I like her better than my wife’- Ag on Chryseis
Thetis as a mother talking to Zeus in supplication- ‘sank to her knees… supplicated him’
12
Q
Book 1 the gods
A
Apollo bringing plague for the Greeks for Ach- ‘his descent was like nightfall’
Thetis begging Zeus- ‘sank to her knees… pay back my son’
13
Q
Book 1 heroism
A
Ach- ‘burst into tears’
‘thrust his way through the crowd and disembowel agamemnon’
Zeus nods, Achilles’s help with the plague
14
Q
book 1 menis
A
“anger- sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles’- first line- ‘brought the Greeks endless suffering”
‘thrust his way through the crowd and disembowel agamemnon’
15
Q
book 1 fate
A
’ evil destiny ‘- Thetis, Ach
‘no failure to fulfil it, no going back’ Zeus on his nod
16
Q
book 2 plot
A
Agamemnon tests the troops and the Greek army is catalogued in a detailed list of leaders and ships.
Zeus sends Ag a dream that he will defeat Troy
tests troops by saying they should go home
Odysseus and Nestor berate them
sacrifices to Zeus
Trojans assemble
explain Trojan cycle and Paris and Helen
Zeus dream again- relayed to Ag’s troops
17
Q
book 3 Women
A
Helen’s guilt for the war
Helen weaving and observing- ‘great web of purple cloth… who had suffered for her sake’
Helen forced to have sex with Paris- ‘no, go and sit with him yourself’
18
Q
Book 3 the gods
A
Aphrodite forcing Helen to have sex with Paris- ‘Obstinate wretch!’
Aphrodite rescues Paris- ‘a dense mist whisked him away’
19
Q
Book 3 heroism
A
Paris stepping forwards- ‘stepped out from the ranks’ - ‘like a man who catches sight of a snake’
importance of appearance
battle of Mene.- ‘as delighted as a lion that comes upon a great carcass’,
‘children’s children will shudder’
Hector’s aidos- ‘Paris, you parody! you sex-crazed seducer!’
20
Q
book 3 menis
A
mene. battling- ‘as delighted as a lion that comes upon a great carcass’, ‘hurling himself at Paris’ ‘leapt from his chariot’
21
Q
book 3 fate
A
‘Paris’s lot immediately jumped out’- 1 v 1 combat with Menelaus
22
Q
book 3 xenia
A
Menelaus’s prayer to Zeus- ‘children’s children will shudder … host who has offered them friendship.’
23
Q
Book 4 the gods
A
debate over whether to end the fighting- ‘Athena and Hera muttered darkly to each other’
‘lady Hebe served them with nectar’- hierarchy
Athena and Pandarus- ‘she persuaded the fool’ ‘like a mother brushing a fly from a sleeping child’
24
Q
Book 4 heroism
mortality, od, id
A
mortal- ‘as a woman… stains ivory with purple dye’- blood Mene.
Idomeneus’s Menis- ‘charged, the bronze rang terrifyingly’
Od.- ‘always looking out for number 1’
25
book 4 menis
Idomeneus's Menis- 'as he charged into action, the bronze rang terrifyingly'
'waves of an ocean... booming'
'sheep... rich mans yard'
26
book 4 fate
'Zeus may postpone the penalty'- Ag because the Trojans broke the oath
27
book 5 plot
Diomedes goes on a rampage, even wounding gods like Aphrodite and Ares with Athena’s help.
* Athena inspires Diomedes Greek
* Pandarus shoots diomedes in shoulder, Aeneas and Pandarus go after him
* Athena guides spear to kill Pandarus and crushes Aeneas's hip with boulder
* Aphrodite tries to carry Aeneas away
* DIomedes slashes Aphro and drops A
* Athena helps diomedes spear Ares
28
book 6 Women
Hecabe- 'gentle, generous mother' 'you who must pray'
Helen- 'sulk by yourself (paris)'
'Paris's blind folly'
Andromache- 'you are father and mother to me'
Hector 'besieged by Trojan wives and mothers running up to ask'
29
Book 6 the gods
Hecabe- 'you who must pray' 'longest and most decorated'
30
Book 6 heroism
Hector- 'if i hid like a coward I would feel nothing but shame'
31
Book 6 xenia
Glaucus and Diomedes- 'leapt from chariot, took by the hand and exchanged a solemn vow of friendship'
32
book 6 menis
Agamemnon telling mene. to kill Adrestus 'must be wiped out of existence'
33
book 7 plot
Ajax duels Hector, and they part on equal terms; both sides agree to bury their dead.
* return of Hector and Paris reinvigorate
* Apollo proposes duel
* Athena tells seer to say Hector should challenge a duel with the Greeks
* Nestor gets volunteers- AJax by lots
* H intimidated- bold attack but blocked
* Ajax knocks Hector over with rock
agree to end duel with gifts
* dont want to fight again- Trojan advisor sugests returning Helen
* Paris offers treasure instead
* Greeks says no and says they should have a day to bury dead
* opportunity to build wall with trench around ships- Poseidon objects and
* Zeus says he can wash it away after they leave
34
book 8 plot
* Zeus makes god truce, no intervening
* Zeus favours Ts and they drive G to ships
* Hector shines as leader
* Hera and Athena help the Greeks regroup- divine conflict
35
Book 9 the gods
'Zeus has seriously deluded me'- Aga
'Zeus showers them with favourable omens'
36
Book 9 women
'taken the wife which I love', 'I only have to chose ... make her my own'- Ach
37
Book 9 heroism
Geras- '**7 tripods** untarnished by the flames'- cataloguing
od- '**old man** ... advice which you have **forgotten**',
phoe.- 'come while **gifts** are still to be had'
38
Book 9 xenia
Achilles to the embassy- 'chairs with purple coverings'
'mix less water with the wine, Patroclus'
aj- 'we are under your roof, representing the whole Greek army'
39
book 9 menis
'love bitter taste of internal discord'- Nestor to Aga.
Od- 'Hector is running wild, elated and irresistible.'
40
book 9 fate
Aga- 'Trojan town will never fall to us'
'Zeus showers them with favourable omens'
'no home-coming for me, but eternal glory instead'
41
book 10 summary
Diomedes and Odysseus go on a night raid, killing the Trojan spy Dolon and Rhesus’s Thracian forces.
- Greek leaders council at night, deciding to send a spy to gather intelligence on the Trojans.
- Diomedes volunteers, and Odysseus joins him to sneak into the Trojan camp under cover of darkness.
- They trick and kill the Trojan spy Dolon, who was sent to spy on the Greeks.
- Diomedes and Odysseus then attack the Thracian camp, killing King Rhesus and many of his men.
- They steal Rhesus’ prized horses before slipping away unseen.
The raid weakens the Trojans, disrupting their morale and supplies
The Greeks return safely, bringing valuable intelligence and spoils.
42
book 10 the gods
'Athena gave Diomedes an extra turn of speed'
'Pallas Athene loves him too?'- Diomedes about Odysseus
43
book 10 heroism
'burst into tears and said: "take me alive, and I will pay my own ransom."'
'many volunteered to go'
44
book 10 xenia
Nestor poor xenia- 'who goes thee, wandering around the ships at the dead of night?'
45
book 10 menis
Diomedes- 'like a lion that found some unattended sheep or goats'
46
book 10 fate
'Zeus is not going to let Hector realize all the high hopes he is entertaining'- Nestor
47
Odysseus Epithet
resourceful Odysseus- said by Ach in scorn
48
Helen Epithet
lovely-haired Helen
49
Agamemnon Epithet
godlike Agamemnon
50
Hector Epithet
Great Hector of the flashing helmet
51
book 11 summary long
Greek leaders are wounded, and Achilles sends Patroclus to check on the situation.
Agamemnon is wounded, leave the battlefield—Greek momentum falter.
Diomedes and Odysseus fight bravely but both are injured; Odysseus is surrounded and nearly killed.
Ajax protect the Greek ships, holding off Trojan advance.
Machaon (a healer) is wounded, Nestor to take him back to camp—Achilles notices this.
Achilles sends Patroclus to inquire about Machaon, foreshadowing future events.
Nestor tells Patroclus to persuade Achilles to fight, or to go himself wearing Achilles’ armor.
52
book 12 summary long
The Trojans breach the Greek wall, led by Hector, Sarpedon, and Glaucus.
The Trojans attack the Greek wall, determined to reach the ships.
Gods stop helping directly, as Zeus has forbidden divine interference at this point.
The wall is described as doomed—it will be destroyed after the war (foreshadowing).
Hector leads the charge, pressing the Greeks hard at the wall.
Sarpedon (Zeus’s son) fights heroically, helping breach the wall's defenses.
Glaucus and Sarpedon inspire the Trojans, emphasizing honor and fate.
Hector smashes through the gates, marking a major Trojan breakthrough.
53
book 13 summary long
Poseidon secretly aids the Greeks, helping them temporarily push back the Trojans.
Poseidon secretly joins the battle, angered by the Greeks' suffering and Zeus’s favoritism toward the Trojans.
Poseidon takes the form of Calchas to rally the Greeks and give them strength.
Greek morale is boosted, and they mount a fierce defense at the ships.
The Ajaxes (Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Lesser) lead a strong counterattack.
Idomeneus fights fiercely, killing many Trojans, including notable warriors like Asius.
Deiphobus, Aeneas, and other Trojan leaders try to hold the line, but suffer losses.
The battle rages back and forth, with no clear victor—this book is all about intense combat and shifting momentum.
54
book 14 summary long
Hera seduces Zeus to distract him, allowing the Greeks to rally and injure Hector.
The Greeks are struggling, with many leaders wounded and morale low.
Nestor leaves Machaon and meets the wounded leaders (Agamemnon, Odysseus, Diomedes) to discuss the dire situation.
They consider retreat, but Odysseus strongly opposes it—retreat would only worsen things.
Poseidon continues to aid the Greeks, defying Zeus's orders.
Hera plots to distract Zeus so Poseidon can help more freely.
Hera seduces Zeus on Mount Ida using Aphrodite’s charm and Sleep’s help, putting him to sleep afterward.
With Zeus asleep, Poseidon leads a powerful Greek counterattack, especially the Ajaxes.
Hector is wounded by Ajax, forcing the Trojans to retreat temporarily.
55
book 15 summary long
Zeus awakens and restores Trojan momentum, sending Apollo to revive Hector.
Zeus wakes up on Mount Ida and is furious at Hera for tricking him.
He orders Poseidon to withdraw from the battlefield immediately.
Iris delivers Zeus’s command to Poseidon, who is reluctant but eventually obeys.
Apollo joins the battle on Zeus’s behalf, supporting the Trojans.
Apollo revives Hector, who had been wounded by Ajax in Book 14.
Hector leads a renewed Trojan assault, now with divine backing.
The Greeks are pushed back again, and the Trojans start driving them toward the ships.
The Trojans begin to break through, increasing the threat of burning the Greek ships.
56
book 16 plot
Patroclus enters the battle in Achilles’ armor, kills Sarpedon, but is slain by Hector.
- P has his aristaia
-Pat begs Ach to let him rejoin as Greeks overwhelmed
- Achilles refuses but lets Patroclus wear his armor to rally the Greeks and intimidate the Trojans.
- Achilles warns Patroclus only to drive the Trojans from the ships, not to pursue them to the walls of Troy.
- Achilles prays to Zeus for his success and safe return, but Zeus grants only partial success.
- Pat: kills Sarpedon, son of Zeus, battle over Sarpedon’s body.
- Ignoring Achilles’ warning, Patroclus pushes on toward Troy and becomes overconfident.
- Apollo intervenes, striking Patroclus, weakening him.
- Euphorbus wounds him, and then Hector kills Patroclus
- With his dying breath, Patroclus prophesies Hector’s death at the hands of Achilles.
57
book 16 women
'I want you to bring me great honour in the eyes of all the Greeks so they give me my lovely woman back'- Achilles
58
book 16 heroism
'**weeping tears like a hot spring'-** Patroclus about his fallen comrades
Pat to Achilles- 'what will **future generations ** have to thank you for if you do nothing to prevent the **Greeks humiliating destruction?'**
Sarpedon '**crashed down** as an oak crashes down or a poplar or a **towering pine'**
59
book 16 the gods
'Peleus was not your father, nor **Thetis your mother'**- Patroclus
'**Phoebus encountered you,** Phoebus most terrible.'
60
book 16 menos
**'like flesh eating wolves,** hearts filled with boundless courage'- Myrmidons
61
book 16 fate
'Hector knew Zeus had tipped the sacred scales against him'
'Patroclus spoke in supplication, the great fool'
62
book 17 plot
The Greeks and Trojans fight over Patroclus’s body, with Menelaus and Ajax defending it.
- Menelaus defends Pat’s body, kills Euphorbus.
- Hector arrives, forcing Menelaus to retreat.
- Ajax joins Menelaus, and they both protect the body.
- battle for Patroclus' corpse
- Hector dons Achilles' armor, stripped from Patroclus, gaining temporary glory
- Zeus grants Hector temporary strength, but the tide starts to turn
- Greeks recover Pat’s body, helped by Ajax and Menelaus.
- Antilochus sent to tell Ach of Pat’s death.
63
book 17 heroism
Menelaus 'advanced, bronze armour glittering, and stood over Patroclus’ body **as a mother cow stands protectively over the first calf'**
Athena 'implanted in his chest the **daring of a fly** which is so fond of human blood' for Menelaus
64
book 17 the gods
Athena 'implanted in his chest the **daring of a fly** which is so fond of human blood' for Menelaus
' only wish Athene would give me strength' to Athena.** 'delighted' Athena- Menelaus**
65
book 17 menos
Athena 'implanted in his chest the **daring of a fly** which is so fond of human blood' for Menelaus
'Euphorbus lying on the ground, the blood pouring from the stab wound'
66
book 17 fate
Hector- 'Unhappy man! Little knowing how close you are to death'- Zeus
67
book 18 plot
Achilles mourns Patroclus, receives new divine armor from Hephaestus, and vows revenge.
- Ach learns of Patroclus’ death, is devastated, and vows revenge.
- Thetis comforts him, promises Hephaestus will forge new armor.
- Ach publicly grieves; his cries cause Thetis and the sea-nymphs to rise from the ocean.
- Athena gets Ach to roar at Trojans and they retreat
- Hephaestus makes Achilles’ new armor, including a detailed shield with images of the cosmos and mortal life
68
book 18 heroism
Ach- 'begrimed his handsome features'
hector 'Polydamas, the man who tells me to retreat .... is no longer speaking my language'
Athena- 'crowned him with a golden cloud.... raised the war cry too'
'great, heavy shield... bright as fire'- Heph to ach
69
book 18 the gods
Thetis-'I nursed him as one tends to a little plant in a garden bed'
Athena- 'crowned him with a golden cloud.... raised the war cry too'
'great, heavy shield... bright as fire'- Heph to ach
70
book 18 menos
'As for my death, I will welcome it'- Ach
hector 'Polydamas, the man who tells me to retreat .... is no longer speaking my language'
71
book 18 fate
'As for my death, I will welcome it'- Ach
Thetis- 'you are doomed to die immediately after Hector'
72
book 18 shield
constellation, marriage, 2 cities at war, court case, grape harvest, reaping, feat, sheep and cattle, dancing women and youths, ocean
73
book 19 plot
Achilles reconciles with Agamemnon, rejoins the battle, and arms himself for war.
- Thetis gives armor to Ach
- Ach reconciles with Agamemnon
- Agamemnon blames Delusion (Ate) for their quarrel- receives geras Briseis in front of leaders
- Briseis mourns Patroclus, showing his kindness to her.
- Achilles refuses to eat, eager to fight, but Athena feeds him divine nectar.
- Odysseus ensures the troops rest before battle.
- Achilles arms for battle, his armor shines like fire.
- Xanthus, his horse, prophesies his death, but Achilles brushes it off—accepting fate.
74
book 19 women
'Achilles killed my husband ... you were always so gentle with me'- Brisies
'such is my life, an endless chain of disaster'- Briseis
75
book 19 heroism
'could not endure to look at it'
'no mortal has worn anything like it'- Thetis
'dismiss the troops and tell them to prepare a meal'- Odd
76
book 19 the gods
'no mortal has worn anything like it'- Thetis
'Zeus took pity on them... spurred on Athene'
77
book 19 menos
'I wish Artemis had killed her ... now I must renounce my anger'- Ach
'only slaughter and bloodshed and the groans of the dying'- Ach
78
book 19 fate
Xanthus- 'the day of your death is drawing near'
79
book 20 plot
The gods openly return to the battlefield, and Achilles slaughters Trojans without mercy.
- Zeus releases the gods to freely intervene in the battle
- Ach rejoins the fight with renewed fury
- Ares fights on the Trojan side
- Athena supports the Greeks, helping Diomedes
- Apollo shields the Trojans, aiding Hector and others.
- duel Ares and Athena leads to Ares wounded and retreating
- Poseidon secretly aids the Greeks, despite Zeus’ orders.
- Ach kills Trojans, including Lycaon, who supplicated him
80
book 21 plot
Achilles fights the river god Scamander, nearly drowning in his bloodlust.
- Ach slaughters Trojans, traps many in the River Scamander
- Ach fights Scamander, rises in anger over the corpses clogging his waters.
- Hephaestus (at Hera’s command) burns the riverbanks to save Achilles.
- Agenor, half-brother of Hector, duels Ach; Agenor is rescued by Apollo
- Trojans retreat inside Troy’s walls at the end of the book, but Achilles remains a terrifying threat.
81
book 22 plot
Achilles kills Hector outside Troy after chasing him around the city walls.
- Trojans retreat but Hector remains outside, ready to face Ach
- Priam and Hecuba beg Hector not to fight, but he refuses, seeking glory.
-Ach chases Hector 3x around Troy.
- Athena tricks Hector by disguising herself as his brother Deiphobus, giving him courage to stand and fight.
- Achilles kills Hector with a spear to the neck.
- Hector begs for proper burial; Achilles refuses.
- Achilles ties Hector’s body to his chariot and drags it around Troy.
- Grief in Troy: Priam, Hecuba, and Andromache (Hector’s wife) mourn.
82
book 22 women
'remember those days dear child'- Hecuba
'an orphaned child is cut off from his friends'- Andromache
83
book 22 the gods
'you've made a fool of me, Apollo'- Ach
'you'll never kill me'- Apollo to Ach
'lets make a stand and keep him off together'- Athena
84
book 22 heroism
'mountain hawk on the fastest wings, timid dove'
85
book 22 menos
'the dogs and birds are going to mangle you foully'- Ach
'you dog, dont entreat me'
86
book 22 fate
'destiny shackled Hector'
'sons massacred, daughters raped, little babies hurling ruthlessly'- Priam
'Unhappy business!' 'father, what are you talking about?'- Athena
87
book 23 plot
Achilles holds funeral games for Patroclus, including chariot races and athletic contests.
- Ghost of Patroclus appears after feast and dirge in dream, asking for burial and a shared tomb.
- 12 Trojans sacrificed on pyre, Boreas and Zephyrus, are summoned by Iris, they blow upon the pyre
- Apollo and Aphrodite protect Hector from stray dogs and heat
- Funeral games held in Patroclus’ honor: chariot race, boxing, wrestling, running, spear-throwing, etc.
- Diomedes wins the chariot race, despite Apollo sabotaging him.
- Ajax and Odysseus wrestle, but it's a draw.
- gives Agamemnon geras chariot race
88
book 23 women
'a woman thoroughly trained in domestic work'- prize for wrestling
89
book 23 heroism
'foully maltreated godlike Hector'
'you have both won'- Odd and Ajax Wrestling
'we know you excel the rest of us'- Ach to Ag over spear
90
book 23 the gods
'Thetis stirred in them all the desire to weep'
'Apollo did not get away with it: Athene spotted him foiling Diomedes'
91
book 23 menos
'carried out his murderous plan for the 12 noble sons'
92
book 23 fate
'do not let them bury my bones apart from yours' 'you neglect me in death'- Pat
93
book 24 plot
Priam bravely begs Achilles for Hector’s body, and Achilles, moved by grief, returns it.
- Gods angry at Ach’s abuse of Hector- Zeus orders Thetis to tell Achilles to return the body.
- Hermes guides Priam to Achilles’ camp.
- Priam begs Achilles, invoking the memory of Achilles’ own father, Peleus.
- Achilles is moved to tears, finally shows compassion, Achilles hosts Priam, gives him food and rest, gives body and geras
- Hector’s body is returned; Achilles orders a truce for the funeral.
- Trojans mourn Hector: Andromache, Hecuba, and Priam lead three powerful laments.
- Hector's burial
94
book 24 women
'they will be carried off soon and I with them'- Andromache
'you have come to me fresh as dew- Hecuba
'no one is left in Troy to treat me kindly'- Helen
95
book 24 heroism
'Ach in his fury disfigured godlike Hector'
'I am determined to go'
'equal admiration on the noble looks'
96
book 24 the gods
'My altar never lacked its share of offerings'- Zeus on Hector
'tell him to ransom his son'- Zeus
'the gods have grief woven into our lives'- Ach
97
book 24 menos
'flesh-eating, faithless savage'- Hecuba to Priam about Ach
'dont push me too far venerable sir'- Ach
98
book 24 fate
'the gods have grief woven into our lives'- Ach
'they will be carried off soon and I with them'- Andromache
99
book 24 grief/reconciliation/fathers and sons
'remember your own father, godlike ach.'
story of Niobe, slept with fair-cheeked Briseis'
'in case the Greeks launched a premature attack'
100
criticism war
Allen- delights in and celebrates battlefield prowess
101
criticism the gods
Peter Jones- 'No human crosses a god. Gods work to extremes.’
102
criticism women
Emily Hauser- Vocabulary used for women is always related to marriage or childbirth
103
criticism death
Johnson
Their souls simply depart to the underworld with no trumpets of glory
104
criticism fate
Professor Richard Jenkyns
it is important that the Iliad ends with a funeral and lament, commenting that the true tragedy is that nothing has changed throughout the poem
105
criticism heroism
Peter Jones-
‘modern professional sportsman... to gain wealth and respect’
‘Victory and its rewards are the Homeric heroes’ priority,'
Silk
'the heroes' quarrel is set to bring death and destruction; the gods' by comparison is aimess and trivial'
106
criticism Homeric transmission
Emily Hauser-
most scholars agree that the poems were sung-
transmitted over hundreds of years then written down
107
criticism reconciliation
Robin Lane Fox
- 'culminates in a great moment of shared human loss and sorrow'
108
criticism Achilles
Sowerby- 'not an Achilliad... absent for most of the book. anger as a catalyst'
Barker
the most important theme of the Iliad is Achilles' growing realisation of his own morality
