HOMER: The Iliad [Book IV]

In Book IV of Homer’s Iliad, the Olympian gods convene to discuss the Trojan War. They decide that the war shall continue, so Jove sends Minerva to Troy in order to break the truce to which the Trojans and Grecians had agreed before the duel between Menelaus and Paris began. Minerva persuades the Trojan Pandarus to shoot Menelaus with an arrow.

HOMER: The Iliad [Book III]

In Book III of Homer’s Iliad, the Grecian and Trojan armies face off with one another. Before they engage, the two armies agree to determine the war by a single combat between Menelaus, the Spartan King, and Paris, the Trojan Prince who stole Menelaus’ wife, Helen, and sparked the Trojan War.

HOMER: The Iliad [Books 13-24]

HOMER: The Iliad [Books 13-24]

Book 13 – The Fourth Battle Continued, in which Neptune Assists the Greeks: The Acts of Idomeneus

• Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the fortification forced by Hector, (who had entered the gate near the station of the Ajaxes,) assumes the shape of Calchas, and inspires those heroes to oppose him: then, in the form of one of the generals, encourages the other Greeks who had retired to their vessels.

HOMER: The Iliad [Books 1-12]

HOMER: The Iliad [Books 1-12]

760-710 BC

The most concise summary of the Iliad according to Coleridge:

“A hero, injured by his general, and animated with a noble resentment, retires to his tent; and for a season withdraws himself and his troops from the war.