Homer

1
Homer

• Author of the epic poems The Iliad and The
  Odyssey
• Possibly other works as well
• Said to have been blind
• Probably lived in 8th century BC
• Probably lived in Ionia (Greek settlements on
  coast of Asia Minor)
• Recorded and (probably) expanded upon existing
  legends

2
The Iliad

• Epic poem of 24 books, 15693 lines
• Probably written in 8th century BC
• Depicts about one months events out of ten-year
  Trojan War (probably 13th Century BC)
• Mixture of history, legend, Myth, and invention

3
Main Greek Characters

• Helen
• Menelaus
• Agamemnon
• Achilles
• Patroclus
• Odysseus

4
Main Trojan Characters

• Priam
• Hecuba
• Hector
• Paris
• Andromache
• Aeneas

5
arete and aristeia

• Arete excellence or virtue
• Aristeia excellence in battle
• From aristoi the best (people)
• What is the true nature of arete and aristeia?
• What is animal and what is rational in arete and
  aristeia?

6
Hector and Achilles

• Achilles excellent killer
• Hector excellent killer, but less so than
  Achilles
• What other virtues do they have?
• Which one (if either) does Homer favor?
• Consider final battle scene
• Consider final speeches about Hector

7
Hector
Achilles