The Age Of Homer s Iliad - 861 Words

The age of Homer’s Iliad is one of the key factors to understanding the many ways in which the theme of authority is relevant to it. From a historical standpoint, the age of the Iliad is relevant as it allows us an insight into the lives of Greeks during a period about which little is known (Robson, 2014, p.238). It is commonly accepted that the Iliad and the later Odyssey were originally composed as part of an oral tradition (Ibid) and only written down at some point in the mid sixth century (Ibid, p.239). There are references to other orally composed epic poems from the same period that have not survived (Ibid, p.238) this fact alongside the sheer length of the Iliad (Ibid) suggest the strong oral tradition of the Greeks from this period. Furthermore, the context in which parts of the poem were recited during banquets and festivals gives us an idea of the types of entertainment available to Greeks of this time (Ibid, 239). The lengthy similes used throughout the Iliad serve to give insight to the everyday activities of Greeks, references to herding sheep and farmers’ binding bulls would have been familiar activities to contemporary listeners (Ibid, p.252). The Iliad not only allows modern readers and historians an insight into Greek life from this period but also would have had authority as it highlights the importance the story of the Trojan War would have held for Greeks of this period and later generations. As part of a shared cultural heritage (Ibid, p.239) itShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad 1348 Words   |  6 PagesFor thousands of years the Trojan War, spoken of in Homer s epic poem the Iliad, has been believed to have been a legend made up by Homer rather than a poem based on historical fact. It was only in 1865 that archeologists began digging up Hissarlik, the supposed site of Troy based on the Iliad, situated in Troad in the North-West of the Asian Minor. The first archeologist at this site, Frank Calvert, was convinced that Hissarlik was the site of the ancient city of Troy. After numerous archeologicalRead MoreThe Iliad And The Odyssey1498 Words   |  6 PagesAn Influential Poem The Iliad is a poem that provides important stories with insight into early human society. It was an ancient story written centuries ago about two civilizations that battled against each other. â€Å"The Iliad tells the story of the clash of two great civilizations, and the effects of war on both the winners and losers† (Homer 222). In addition to its influence on Greek poetry, the Iliad is a great Homeric epic that has long helped shape critical schools of thought. It is notRead MoreGreek Epics873 Words   |  4 Pagesperiod. Homer; the authors of The Iliad and The Odyssey; and Vergil; the authors of The Aeneid are two of the greatest writers in ancient western civilization. There are heroes in these three literatures to reflect the society and culture: Achilles, Odysseus and Aeneid. The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of the oldest ancient literatures by Homer in around 8th century B.C. (Homer, 2012). According to Redfield (1975), â€Å"the culture portrayed in Homer’s works is that of Greek Dark Age.† For thatRead MoreExploring Homers Iliad as a Source of Information about the Ancient City of Troy1144 Words   |  5 PagesHomer was the ancient Greek poet said to have lived between around the 8th and 9th century B.C. Some believe that he was born on the island of Chios and others say he was in Ionia. He was said to be a court singer and a storyteller. He is famous for the writings of the epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey. While there is controversy weather or not Homer alone wrote these pieces or many other people wrote it over a period of time and even if Homer was an actual person. Homer also wrote Homeric HymnsRead MoreThe Iliad, A Homeric Epic That Depicted The Age Of Heroes925 Words   |  4 PagesThe Iliad, a Homeric epic that depicted the age of heroes in Archaic Greece. An age of giant, god-like, men, and a time of true heroism. The themes of the Iliad encompass a realm consisting of the principles of justice, vengeance, and honour in Greek society. A monumental theme that Homer brought through the Iliad was the idea of Greek Shame culture, which Involved public praise and blame, to honor and shame one before others in one s society. The assemblies, called by the Achaean commanders, whereRead MoreAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad And The Odyssey Essay1606 Words   |  7 PagesBy examining the roles that women play in Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, the political divide be comes even more apparent. The role of women is clearly defined throughout these literary works, and some of what Homer teaches us is still pertinent today. One such instance that draws attention to the political divide is the structure of leadership in Ithaca. Penelope in The Odyssey assumes a position of power while Odysseus is away from Ithaca fighting in the Trojan War. She defies theRead MoreThe Iliad, A Homeric Epic That Depicted The Age Of Heroes987 Words   |  4 Pages The Iliad, a Homeric epic that depicted the Age of Heroes in Archaic Greece. An age of giant, god-like, men, and a time of true heroism. The themes of the Iliad encompass a realm consisting of the principles of justice, vengeance, and honour in Achaean society. A monumental theme that Homer brought through the Iliad was the idea of Greek Shame culture, which Involved public praise and blame, to honor and shame one before others in one s society. The assemblies, called by the Achaean commandersRead MoreImportance of Iliad as Modern Teaching Tool Essay1460 Words   |  6 PagesImportance of Iliad as a Modern Teaching Tool The passing of works from generation to generation is not an uncommon thing, nor is it a new practice. For centuries, even since the beginning of time, scholars have recorded and passed on historical accounts, works of art, poetry, and great literary works as a means of transcending the culture from one generation to the next. In doing so, these works were not merely used for leisurely purposes, rather as a way to teach and educate Read MoreThe Topic Of Fate Of Ancient Greece During The Golden Age1136 Words   |  5 PagesThe Topic of Fate in Ancient Greece During the Golden Age The Golden Age of Athens started with the final defeat of Persia in 479 B.C. and the formation of the Delian League in 478 B.C. With the defeat of Persia came a period of prosperity for Athens, a time of great political advancements and many reforms to daily life. Around 461 B.C., a former general named Perikles became the dominant politician of Athens. During his reign (461-429 B.C.) he made Athens a strong and imperialistic city-stateRead MoreThe Bronze And Iron Age Essay2093 Words   |  9 PagesQuestion: 1-What Can Homer tell us about the Bronze and Iron Age The Bronze and Iron Ages were 2 of the main periods in Greek History and Homer can tell us a lot about them. The Bronze Age was all about mixing copper with tin or arsenic to bronze hence it is called the Bronze Age. The Iron Age was when the whole of the east Mediterranean was in crisis. In central Anatolia, the collapse of the Hitties opened the gates to invaders who overran the country. Firstly, let’s talk about Homer- a lot of the works