Homeric Epics: Iliad and Odyssey – Heroes and Tales

Posted on Jan 26, 2025 in Latin

The Epics of Homer: Iliad and Odyssey

The Epics are ancient Greek literary works in verse (dactylic hexameter). Epic comes from the word “épos“, meaning word, narrative, or verse. Transmitted orally by bards, who sang tales of heroes who probably lived in the Mycenaean age.

Homer

Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Characteristics of Homeric Poetry

  1. Artificial language: Language used to be sung, not homogeneous, since different dialectical layers coexist: Aeolian, Ionic, and Attic.
  2. Formulaic diction: Repetition of epithets, referring to gods, heroes, places, weapons, etc. For example, “Achilles, the swift-footed.”
  3. Repetition of entire verses to describe typical scenes, such as the preparation of a sacrifice.
  4. Dactylic hexameter verse: Has 6 feet; each foot may be formed by two short syllables and one long syllable, called a dactyl. The two short syllables can be replaced by one long syllable (spondee).

The Iliad

The Iliad consists of 24 rhapsodies. Its argument is straightforward, told in a war setting between conflicting forces that occurred in Troy. It begins in the 10th year of the Trojan War. An epidemic devastated the Greek troops, and the soothsayer Calchas revealed that the cause was the anger of the god Apollo. Agamemnon had abducted Chryseis as a war prize. To appease this anger, Agamemnon released her, but to compensate for his loss, the king took Briseis, the slave of Achilles. Achilles, wounded in his honor, retired from the battle. The Greeks relied on Achilles’ help to re-establish their honor. But one essential fact happened: Patroclus, a friend of Achilles, fought against the Trojans, and Hector killed him. In his anger, Achilles forgot his differences with Agamemnon and agreed to fight again. Achilles killed Hector and outraged his corpse. The Trojan king, Priam, crossed the Greek camp to recover his son’s body and offer him a funeral. Achilles took pity and accepted. The Iliad ends with the funerals of Patroclus and Hector.

The Odyssey

The Odyssey is the journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, returning to his homeland at the end of the Trojan War. It consists of 24 rhapsodies, and the argument contains jumps in time. It is divided into three parts:

  1. The Telemachy (I-IV): Odysseus is retained on the island of Ogygia by the nymph Calypso. In Ithaca, his wife and son await him. Penelope suffers harassment from suitors. With the help of Athena, Telemachus gets a ship to go to Pylos and Sparta to get news of his father. The suitors prepare an ambush for his return.
  2. Arrival in the Land of the Phaeacians (V-XIII): The gods decide to send Hermes to Calypso’s island to release Odysseus. He leaves but suffers a shipwreck caused by Poseidon. Thanks to a sea nymph, he reaches the Phaeacians, who offer him a banquet in his honor, and he tells them everything that happened.
  3. Return to Ithaca and the Vengeance on the Suitors (XIII-XXIV): The Phaeacians accompany Odysseus. He meets with Telemachus, and together they plan revenge on the suitors. Penelope proposes an archery test; none pass except Odysseus, who is disguised as a beggar. With the help of Telemachus, he kills all the suitors. Odysseus is recognized by Penelope, and the poem ends with Odysseus visiting his father.

Homeric Heroes

The protagonists of the Trojan War are heroes who fight to be the best in battle. Their courage led them to seek success in war and to be recognized. Some examples include:

  • Achilles
  • Hector
  • Paris
  • Menelaus (husband of Helen)
  • Agamemnon: Physically similar to a god
  • Patroclus: Known for his friendship
  • Nestor: Known for his wisdom
  • Odysseus: Known for his cunning

Women in Homer

Women have a condition adapted to their family: faithful, hardworking, prudent, sensible, beautiful, knowledgeable in medicinal herbs, and worshipers of the gods. However, they can also appear as nosy and talkative.

  • Penelope: Loyal, hardworking, fair, and prudent.
  • Andromache: Hector’s wife and mother of Astyanax; a faithful and ideal wife.
  • Hecuba: Queen of Troy, second wife of Priam, worshiper of the gods.
  • Helen: Wife of Menelaus and Queen of Sparta; known for her beauty.
  • Circe: A crafty sorceress, daughter of the sun god, who lives on the island of Aeaea; a beautiful and wise woman.
  • Calypso: A beautiful nymph.
  • Nausicaa: A Phaeacian princess, known for her purity and innocence of youth.