Author and Culture
This ancient Greek, likely blind, poet is traditionally said to be the author of the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey, which are central works of ancient Greek literature. He likely lived during the 8th century B.C.
Who is Homer?
This king of the gods wielded thunderbolts, ruled from Mount Olympus, and fathered many gods and heroes in Greek mythology. During the Trojan War, he would either fight for the Greek army or against them, depending on the latest immortal who convinced him to intervene in the fighting.
Who is Zeus?
This Greek hero, known for his unmatched strength and skill in battle, was a key figure in the Trojan War, famously choosing a short life with eternal glory over a long, uneventful one, and ultimately fell by an arrow to his heel.
Who is Achilles?
This legendary beauty’s abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War. Before she chose her husband, her suitors swore the Oath of Tyndareus to defend her chosen husband.
Who is Helen?
Odysseus received this wise woman as a reward for devising the Oath of Tyndareus, which prevented Helen's suitors from fighting each other.
Who is Penelope?
This type of poetry, often composed in dactylic hexameter, is known for its formulaic structure and frequent repetition of phrases, as seen in works like Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. This extended narrative poem, often recounting the history or legendary deeds of a national hero, is known for its grand scope and elevated style.
What is Epic Poetry?
This god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses was one of the Twelve Olympians and wielded a trident as his symbol of power. When his son Polyphemus the Cyclops was killed, he would work to prevent Odysseus’ return home.
Who is Poseidon?
This king of Mycenae led the Greek forces during the Trojan War, clashed with Achilles over a captured slave, and was famously murdered by his wife Clytemnestra upon his return home.
Who is Agamemnon?
This Trojan prince, whose parents rejected him due to a prophecy that he would bring destruction to Troy, awarded the golden apple to Aphrodite, leading to his elopement with Helen and ultimately sparking the Trojan War.
Who is Paris?
Odysseus, known for his cunning and resourcefulness, tried to avoid joining the Trojan War by pretending to be insane, plowing a field with salt instead of seeds, until his ruse was discovered by Palamedes when he avoided “accidentally” killing this person while plowing.
Who was Telemachus?
The meaning of the Latin phrase, "in medias res," describing a narrative technique where a story begins in the middle of the action, often with crucial events already underway.
What is "in the midst of things"?
This goddess of wisdom, warfare, and crafts was born fully grown and armored from the forehead of Zeus and is often associated with the city of Athens. Because she was denied the Golden Apple by Paris when he gave it to Aphrodite, she would fight on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War. Odysseus was a particular favorite mortal of hers.
Who is Athena?
This Trojan prince and the greatest warrior of Troy fought valiantly against the Greeks, killed Patroclus in battle, and was ultimately slain by Achilles.
Who is Hector?
This king of Sparta, husband of Helen, and brother of Agamemnon played a key role in the events leading up to and during the Trojan War.
Who is Menelaus?
To reveal Achilles, who was hiding as a maiden among the women at the court of Lycomedes to avoid going to war, Odysseus used this type of item, which caught Achilles' attention and led to his joining the Trojan War.
What are weapons?
This ancient Greek concept of hospitality involves a reciprocal relationship between host and guest, emphasizing generosity, respect, and moral duty.
What is xenia?
This queen of the gods, the wife of Zeus, was known for her jealousy and was the goddess of marriage and childbirth. Because she was denied the Golden Apple by Paris when he gave it to Aphrodite, she would fight on the side of the Greeks in the Trojan War.
This Greek hero, known for his towering stature and great courage, played a crucial role in the Trojan War, particularly in the battles against Hector and the defense of Greek ships. He met a tragic end when he did not receive Achilles’ armor forged by Hephaestus. He would still be upset over this conflict when Odysseus meets him on his journey into Hades in The Odyssey.
Who is Ajax?
At the wedding of Thetis and Peleus, Achilles’ parents, this goddess of discord threw a golden apple inscribed "To the fairest," leading to a beauty contest among Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, which ultimately sparked the events leading to the Trojan War.
Who is Eris?
Odysseus attempted to persuade Achilles to rejoin the battle after he withdrew due to this intense emotion towards Agamemnon.
What is anger/rage?
This code of conduct, central to the lives of Greek heroes, emphasized honor, bravery, and glory in battle, often driving their actions and decisions during conflicts like the Trojan War.
What is the Heroic Code?
This god, son of Zeus and Leto, was associated with the sun, music, prophecy, and healing, and wielded a golden lyre. When Agamemnon refused to return the stolen daughter of a priest to this god, he would send a plague among the Greek army camped outside of Troy.
Who is Apollo?
This close friend and companion of Achilles donned Achilles' armor to inspire the Greek troops but was ultimately slain by Hector during the Trojan War.
Who is Patroclus?
Achilles was dipped into this river by his mother, Thetis, making him nearly invincible except for the heel by which she held him.
What is the River Styx?
Odysseus is credited with devising this clever deception, a stratagem that led to the fall of Troy, as recounted in the Aeneid by Vergil and the Odyssey by Homer.
What is the Trojan Horse?