Homer

1
Homers Iliad tells only part of the Trojan War

Homerin medias res

• Apollodorus Library narrates, encyclopedically,
  the Trojan War from Paris carried off Helen in
  accordance with the will of Zeus through After
  they killed the Trojans and burned the city...
  in 58 paragraphs.
• Homers narrative covers the material covered by
  paragraphs 36 through 43 of those Achilles
  became angry .... thru ... Priam ransomed
  Hectors body and buried it.
• Classical playwrights and others reverently
  resisted the temptation to tread Homeric turf
  but he left lots to discuss
• Cf. the contest for the arms of Achilles, the
  sacrifice of Iphigenia, the death of Achilles,
  the Trojan Horse, etc. etc. etc.

Caetani Homer, this copy at the Louvre
By the way Have you noticed this bust in O
Brother, Where Art Thou? The standard depiction
of Homer was copied many times in antiquity, and
many copies survive.
2
Some haikus of the Trojan War

• Samantha EllsworthArms and men shoulderson
  thighs, heads off kingly necks.Leather through
  tendons.
• Eliza CiccottiDiscordant gold appleTen years of
  war on Troy's shoreWho will make it home?

• Rebecca AllenPelides killed hope.Andromache
  wails in griefO Astyanax!
• Liz LasleyApples, favors causeWar death
  destruction confusedNot sure what's the point

3
Hector and Andromache, Iliad 6, the first passage
in Greek literature that makes Macfarlane cry

• Astyanax gives Hector and Andromache something to
  worry about at their last farewell.
• Iliad 6. 475ff.
• In the same breath, shining Hector reached down
  / for his son but the boy recoiled, / cringing
  against his nurses full breast, / screaming out
  at the sight of his own father, / terrified by
  the flashing bronze, the horsehair crest, / the
  great ridge of the helmet nodding, bristling
  terror   / so it struck his eyes. And his loving
  father laughed , / his mother laughed as well,
  and glorious Hector, / quickly lifting the helmet
  from his head, set it down on the ground, fiery
  in the sunlight, and raising his son he kissed
  him, tossed him in his arms... Fagles trans.

De Chiricos Hector and Andromache (1917) does
not make Macfarlane cry... In case you cared.
http//bubuina.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/giorgio
-de-chirico-hector-and-andromache.jpg
4
Priam and Achilles, Iliad 24 the humanization of
Achilles

• Achilles relents and allows Priam to recover
  Patroclus body.
• Priam Revere the gods, Achilles! Pity me in my
  own right, remember your own father! I deserve
  more pity. I have endured what no one on earth
  has ever done before I put to my lips the hands
  of the man who killed my son.
• Those words stirred within Achilles a deep desire
  to grieve for his own father. Fagles trans.

http//www.utexas.edu/courses/larrymyth/images/tro
janwar/XD-Priam-Achilles.jpg
5
Iliou Persis, Sack of TroyAthenian red-figure
amphora

• The decoration around the neck of this amphora
  shows the Greeks ransacking the house of Priam
  during the sack of Troy. The Greek term is
  Iliou Persis.
• Above, Neoptolemus slays Priam, his son Polites
  gashed and dead across his lap. Neoptolemus is
  the son of Achilles, and his name means new
  warrrior.
• Below, Cassandra clutches the Palladium, as Ajax
  steps over the corpse of a fallen Trojan and
  grasps her by the nape of the neck.

6
Vergil, Aeneid 2 the best surviving version of
the sack of Troy

• Aeneid 2 contains the narrative of Aeneas escape
  from burning Troy.
• Read Aeneid 2 for
• the death of Laocoon
• the Trojan Horse
• the death of Priam
• Aeneas escape from Troy
• Cunning irony in the fact that Aeneas narrates
  the whole to Dido.
• At right, Berninis Aeneas
• the dutiful Aeneas carries Anchises on his
  shoulder, his own son Ascanius at his heel. Note
  the ancestral gods born in effigy on Anchises
  shoulder. This is all Vergil all the way.

The second passage... Aen. 2.526 ff.
7
Vergil, Aeneid 2 the best surviving version of
the sack of Troy

• Aeneid 2 contains the narrative of Aeneas escape
  from burning Troy.
• Read Aeneid 2 for
• the death of Laocoon
• the Trojan Horse
• the death of Priam
• Aeneas escape from Troy
• Cunning irony in the fact that Aeneas narrates
  the whole to Dido.
• At right, Laocoon
• the priest of Neptune is no longer protected
  by his patron, as snakes from Tenedos grip
  Laocoon and his sons in their sinuous embrace.
• s

Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis.
(... I fear the Greeks, especially when they are
bearing gifts)
The second passage... Aen. 2.526 ff.
8
Vergil, Aeneid 2 the best surviving version of
the sack of Troy

• Aeneid 2 contains the narrative of Aeneas escape
  from burning Troy.
• Read Aeneid 2 for
• the death of Laocoon
• the Trojan Horse
• the death of Priam
• Aeneas escape from Troy
• Cunning irony in the fact that Aeneas narrates
  the whole to Dido.
• At right, Tiepolo
• The Trojans deny Laocoons advice, breach the
  walls, and introduce the Trojan Horse.

Tiepolos Trojan Horse (different from the 1773
variant in ML p. 511) is a mastery image.
The second passage... Aen. 2.526 ff.
9
Vergil, Aeneid 2 the best surviving version of
the sack of Troy

• Aeneid 2 contains the narrative of Aeneas escape
  from burning Troy.
• Read Aeneid 2 for
• the death of Laocoon
• the Trojan Horse
• the death of Priam
• Aeneas escape from Troy
• Cunning irony in the fact that Aeneas narrates
  the whole to Dido.
• At right, Berninis Aeneas
• Priam is killed by Neoptolemos

The second passage... Aen. 2.526 ff.
10
Universality of the Iliad (cf. ML p. 507)

• Goethes Faust admired Helen and conjured her up
  Christopher Marlowe has his Dr. Faustus ask Is
  this the face that launched a thousand ships?
• Hamlet conjures up in his own way the Death of
  Priam as an exemplum his mother might heed.

• Jonathon Shay, Achilles in Vietnam combat trauma
  and the undoing of character (Scribner New York
  and Toronto, 1995).
• I died in Vietnam is a common utterance of our
  patients. Most viewed themselves as already dead
  at some point in their combat service, often
  after a close friend was killed. Homer shows
  Achilles as already dead before his death....
  Shay p. 51.

11
Chapter 19 The Trojan Saga and the Iliad
NOTE The following slides are derivatives from
ML materials. They are too lengthy for real use,
except review.
The Children of Leda Leda and Zeus (as a
swan) Castor and Clytemnestra (mortal egg)
Helen and Polydeuces (immortal egg) The Dioscuri
(sons of Zeus) Castor, tamer of horses and
mortal Polydeuces (Roman Pollux), skilled in
boxing and immortal Quarrel with Idas and
Lynceus Rape of the Leucippides (daughters of
Leucippus) Death of Castor Shared immortality
of Castor and Polydeuces Patrons of sailors (St.
Elmos fire) Helen Menelaüs, king of Sparta and
Helen?Hermione Paris (Alexander), son of Priam
and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy The
seduction of Helen and the start of the Trojan
War Variant Stesichorus Palinode the real
Helen and the phantom Helen The Judgment of
Paris Wedding of Peleus and Thetis Eris,
goddess of discord, and the golden apple (for
the most beautiful) Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite
vie for honor Paris chosen by Zeus to settle
dispute Hecubas dream Paris as
firebrand Exposure as an infant Hermes leads
goddesses to Paris for his judgment. Aphrodite
wins with offer of Helen Lucian (Dialogue of
the Gods 20)
12
The Trojan Saga
Troy and its Leaders Laomedon King of
Troy Apollo and Poseidon commissioned to build
walls of Troy Plague and sea monster sent as
punishment Exposure of Hesione Heracles and
the first Greek expedition to Troy Priam
(Podarces) becomes king of Troy Priam and
Hecuba 50 sons and 12 (or 50)
daughters Hecuba as tragic figure Paris
(Alexander) Paris and Oenone, a nymph with
power to heal Paris grows to maturity and is
received back into Priams house Favorite of
Aphrodite Vanity and sensuality Paris will
ultimately kill Achilles Hector, Andromache,
and Astyanax Hector, brother of
Paris Greatest of Troys defenders Andromache
, Hectors wife Astyanax, infant son of Hector
and Andromache Helenus, Deïphobus, and
Troïlus Helenus, prophet who knew the course of
the wars end Caught by Odysseus survives
war Marries Andromache Deïphobus, husband of
Helen after death of Paris Troïlus, killed by
Achilles story of Troïlus and Cressida a later
development
13
The Trojan Saga
Cassandra and Polyxena Cassandra, daughter of
Priam Prophetess, though never
believed Killed by Clytemnestra Polyxena,
final virgin sacrifice before the tomb of
Achilles Aeneas Son of Anchises and
Aphrodite Prophecy about Aeneas and his
descendants future rulers of Troy Significant
in Roman legends Antenor Brother of
Hecuba Counsels return of Helen Spared by
Greeks With wife, Theano, he founds Patavium
(Padua) in Italy Glaucus and Sarpedon Leaders
of Lycian contingent Glaucus, hereditary
guest-friend of Diomedes Killed by Ajax (son
of Telamon) Sarpedon, son of Zeus and
Laodamia Zeus Struggle with Sarpedons Fate
(moira ) Sarpedon, second to Hector in
nobility on Trojan side Expounds the demands
of heroic arete (excellence) Rhesus Leader
of Thracians Night raid of Odysseus and
Diomedes
14
The Trojan Saga
The Achaean Leaders Independent commanders of
their contingents Agamemnon King of
Mycenae Lord of Men Leader of expedition
against Troy Greatest in prestige Menelaüs
King of Sparta Brother of Agamemnon Husband
of Helen Diomedes King of Argos and a great
warrior Favored of Athena Wounds Ares and
Aphrodite Associated with Odysseus The
Palladium (statue of Pallas), talisman for
Troy Nestor King of Pylos Oldest and
wisest His speech flowed more sweetly than
honey. Survives war Ajax the Greater of
Salamis Son of Telamon Bulwark of the
Achaeans Foil and rival of Odysseus Straightfo
rward, brusque
15
The Trojan Saga
Ajax the Less (or Lesser) Prince of Locrians,
son of Oïleus Violation of Cassandra and his
punishment Idomeneus Leader of Cretans, son
of Deucalion Voluntary ally Odysseus Attempt
to avoid war by feigning madness Crafty,
cunning, of persuasive speech Achilles and
His Son Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) Prince of the
Myrmidons in Phthia Greatest of Greek
warriors Swift-footed, handsome Son of Peleus
and Thetis Peleus Prince of Phthia, father of
Achilles, son of Aeacus (king of Aegina), and
brother of Telamon Death of Phocus, exile
of Peleus to Phthia, and his purification by
Eurytion Participation in the Calydonian boar
hunt Accidental death of Eurytion Purification
by Acastus, son of Pelias and king of
Iolcus Acastus wife, Astydamia, falls in love
with Peleus Acastus attempts to kill Peleus but
fails Son of Peleus and Thetis destined to be
greater than the father?Achilles
16
The Trojan Saga
Thetis Unwilling wife of Peleus
A Nereid (child of Nereus)
Attempts to escape from Peleus
Wedding of Peleus and Thetis She
leaves Peleus not long after the birth of
Achilles Thetis attempts to make
Achilles immortal Achilles
heel Educated by the centaur Chiron Achilles
fate early death with glory, or long life
without glory Disguised as girl and sent to
Scyros Achilles disguise unmasked by
Odysseus Achilles and Deïdamia, daughter of
Lycomedes, King of Scyros?Neoptolemus
(Pyrhhus) Phoenix and Patroclus
Phoenix Banished by his father
Welcomed by Peleus Companion
and tutor to Achilles Patroclus Also
received by Peleus Closest companion of
Achilles Later tradition would see them as
lovers
17
The Trojan Saga
The gathering of the expedition at Aulis Aulis,
on the coast of Boeotia, opposite Euboea Roughly
1,200 ships The sacrifice of Iphigenia The
anger of Artemis and the prophet
Calchas Calchas prophecy about the length of
the war The Arrival at Troy Philoctetes Son
of Poeas Island of Chryse and Philoctetes
wound Abandonment of Philoctetes on
Lemnos Bow of Heracles and the fate of
Troy Philoctetes kills Paris Achilles heals
Telephus Mysian Hero, son of Heracles He
that wounded shall heal. Protesilaüs and
Laodamia Protesilaüs killed by Hector as the
Greeks come ashore Laodamias grief Brief
return of Protesilaüs and Laodamias
suicide Cycnus, son of Poseidon, turned into a
swan
18
The Trojan Saga
The Iliad From the quarrel between Achilles and
Agamemnon to the burial of Hector Chryseïs,
daughter of Chryses, priest of Apollo Plague
sent by Apollo Briseïs taken from Achilles as
recompense Wrath of Achilles and his refusal to
fight Heroic arete (excellence)
wounded Epiphany of Athena to Achilles Thetis
and Zeus Truce and duel between Menalaüs and
Paris The farewell of Hector and
Andromache Embassy to Achilles Odysseus
attempt to soften Agamemnons words Achilles
response Roles of Phoenix and Ajax Trojan
victory and fire at the Greek ships Patroclus
enters struggle Death of Sarpedon Patroclus
killed by Hector Achilles unquenchable grief
and rage Shield of Achilles fashioned by
Hephaestus Achilles return Death of
Hector Mutilation of Hectors corpse Priams
journey to ransom the body of Hector Achilles
relents Burial of Hector The Olympian Gods in
Battle Intimate involvement in
conflict Theomachies (conflicts between
gods) The Universality of the Iliad War as
universal human experience
19
The Trojan Saga
The Fall of Troy Sources summaries of lost
epics, tragedy, representations in art, and
Vergils Aeneid Achilles and Penthesilea, leader
of the Amazons Achilles and Memnon, son of Eos
(Aurora), leader of the Ethiopians Death of
Achilles Wounded in the heel by Paris with the
aid of Apollo Corpse recovered by Ajax Ghost of
Achilles and the sacrifice of Polyxena Odysseus
and Ajax Compete for the Armor of
Achilles Disgrace of Ajax, his madness, and
suicide Sophocles Ajax The Deaths of Paris and
Priam Summons of Neoptolemus (Pyrrhus) and
Philoctetes Philoctetes kills Paris. Neoptolemus
butchers Priam Vergils Aeneid The Wooden
Horse Epeus Homers Odyssey and the song of
Demodocus Vergils Aeneid, Book 2 a detailed
account of the sack of Troy Odysseus
role Sinon Laocoöns fear of the horse and his
death, along with his two sons
20
The Trojan Saga
The Sack of Troy The wooden horse is brought
inside Troy Greeks return from
Tenedos Slaughter of Trojans Violation of
Cassandra and her eventual murder Hecubas
transformation Cynossema (dogs tomb) The
Trojan Women of Euripides Death of
Astyanax The Sack of Troy in the Aeneid
Witness of Troys death throes, Aeneas, survives
sack Anchises and Ascanius (Iulus) Creusa,
Aeneas wife her appearance as a ghost
21
The Trojan Saga
Appendix Meleager and the Calydonian boar
hunt The embassy to Achilles and Phoenix'
cautionary tale of Meleager After the
Calydonian boar hunt Meleager, in a quarrel,
killed his uncle, brother of his mother
Althaea In grief Althaea prays for the death of
her son In anger Meleager withdraws from
battle Cleopatra, Meleagers wife, successfully
appeals to him, but he returns to battle
too late to receive the earlier offer of
reward In the Book 9 of the Iliad Phoenix uses
the argument of lost rewards to try and
persuade Achilles to return to battle Calydonian
boar hunt The François Vase Ovids version
in the Metamorphoses Oeneus, descendant of
Aeolus, king of Calydon, father of
Deïanira Meleager, son of Oeneus Althaea,
mother of Meleager, and the prophecy of the
log Oeneus offense against Artemis Artemis
sends a huge boar to ravage Calydon Gathering of
heroes by Meleager Atalanta, daughter of
Schoenus, a Boeotian king Atalanta is first to
wound the boar Meleager delivers the killing
blow Meleager favors Atalanta Death of
Althaeas brothers The burning of the log and
the death of Meleager Mourning women turned into
guinea fowl (meleagrides)
22
The Trojan Saga
Homers version Boar sent by Artemis during war
between Calydonians and Curetes Meleager kills
boar Curse of Althaea Meleager withdraws from
the war Meleager relents, and returns and saves
Calydon Bacchylides fifth Epinician Ode Ghost
of Meleager and Heracles The tradition of
Atalanta Euripides Phoenissae Atalanta as the
mother of Parthenopaeus, one of the Seven against
Thebes