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  • The Iliad, Book IXX

    Tues. Aug. 22 After the death of Patroclus, Achilles and Agamemnon reconcile, with the mutual aim of revenge and ending the war. They blame the quarrel, and their own anger, on the gods and fate, not on each other, saying they had little choice but to do as they have…

  • The Iliad, Book XVII – XVIII

    Mon. July 22 These books provide an interlude from the main action, I think, and build to the climatic duel between Hector and Achilles. In Book XVII there is much back and forth fighting over the body of Patroclus, both sides seeking to claim him and his armor as a…

  • The Iliad, Book XVI

    Tues. July 8 Patroclus, on the urging of Nestor, wins the approval of Achilles to wear his armor and lead the Myrmidons into battle in order to save the ships from the Trojans. Hector and the rest flee, as if they are facing the wrath of a god. Many fall…

  • The Iliad, Book XV

    Mon. July1 Zeus is seduced by Hera and the magic love girdle of Aphrodite, allowing the Greeks to prevail while he sleeps. When he wakes, he is angry at Hera, and also at Poseidon, who is leading the Greek army and pushing the Trojans back from the ships. Hera capitulates,…

  • The Iliad, Book XIV

    Tues. June 4 Alarmed by the clamor of the battle so near the ships, Nestor consults the wounded Agamemnon, who suggests launching the fleet under the cover of night and returning home to save the army from desturction. He seems to feel genuine compassion for his troops, a good quality…

  • The Iliad, Book XIII

    Thur. May 30 There is much back and forth fighting here, still at the ships, as Neptune (Poseidon) enters the battle in disguise to rally the Greeks. There are many memorable battles between individual warriors. It strikes me here, and throughout the poem, that although armor is glorified for its…

  • The Iliad, Book XII

    Mon. May 20 The battle at the ships.  Hector and Sarpedon lead a Trojan assault on the wall and trench which protect the Greek ships, hoping to set fire to them or force the Greeks to withdraw and sail for home. They are successful, until the left wing of their…

  • The Iliad, Book XI

    Mon. May 13 Now, back to the ancient drama of the Iliad. In Book XI, Agamemnon has great success. Hector is prevented by the gods from confronting him, but when Agamemnon is wounded and retires from the field, Hector routs the Greeks, who are led by Diomed and Ulysses (Odysseus).…

  • The Well at the World’s End

    Wed. April 24 For a little bit of a break from my survey of ancient literature, I’m taking a look at a seminal work of heroic fantasy, The Well at the World’s End, by William Morris, the nineteeth century Renaissance man of many talents, probably most famous for his designs…

  • The Iliad, Book X

    Wed. April 17 It is almost comical how the Greeks and Trojans send spies out at the same time, with the same purpose to scout the enemy camp, and they run into each other. The young Trojan is naive and unprepared, too eager to seek a prize of which he…