The Iliad

Homer’s epic tells of the will of Zeus and the rage of Achilles that will impose devastating consequences on the Greek armies. 

Helen launched a thousand ships when she fled with Paris. Now Paris faces her husband, Menelaus, in a duel to settle the Trojan War.

Diomedes rampages, wounding even gods in his onslaught. Before Hector returns to the battlefield, Homer reveals his beautiful final moments with his wife and son.

As Zeus turns the war against the Greeks, Agamemnon sends a delegation to offer reconciliation with Achilles and persuade him to return to the fight.

As Achilles refrains from the fight, Hector and the Trojans drive the Greeks back to the trench protecting their ships.

Patroclus dons Achilles’ armor and turns the tide of battle so that the Greeks almost reach the walls of Troy. Hector kills Patroclus, who warns that Hector’s doom will follow.

When Achilles hears of the death of Patroclus, his rage turns on Hector and he vows to return to battle and kill the man who killed his friend.

Hephaestus, the god of fire, crafts new armor for Achilles so he can return to battle since Hector took Achilles’ armor after killing Patroclus.

Achilles rampages, routing the Trojans back across the field of battle as he returns. The corpses of the Trojans he slaughters clog the river.

The Trojans retreat inside the walls of Troy to escape Achilles. Hector alone remains outside to face his doom.

Now that he has killed Hector, Achilles holds funeral games in honor of Patroclus.

Priam begs Achilles to return Hector’s body. Achilles finally allows his rage to subside.