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[[Image:Homer British Museum.jpg|thumb|Homer (British Museum)]]

[[Image:Homer British Museum.jpg|thumb|Homer (British Museum)]]

'''The Iliad''' is an epic poem widely believed to have been written by [[Homer]], the legendary blind [[Greece|Greek]] poet, in the 8th century B.C. The poem is about the [[Trojan War]] (''Ilium'' being the Latin name of [[Troy]]).  The siege of Troy is believed to have taken place in 1184 B.C.<ref>The Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

'''The Iliad''' is an epic poem widely believed to have been written by [[Homer]], the legendary [[Greece|Greek]] rhapsode, in the 8th century B.C. The poem details the legendary [[Trojan War]] (''Ilium'' being the Latin name of [[Troy]]) and the in-fighting of many Ancient Greek mythological heroes.  Traditionally, the siege of Troy is believed to have taken place in 1184 B.C.<ref>The Encyclopedia of Military History, Dupuy & Dupuy, 1979</ref>

''The Iliad'' was revered by Greeks and all who followed in the Greek legacy, attempting to emulate it.  It received something on the order of [[Biblical]] significance by later Greeks, seeking to define the prime values of their culture - honor, and valor.  [[Alexander the Great]] is said to have slept with a copy of ''The Iliad'' under his bed, and claimed to be a descendant of the Greek warrior [[Achilles]].

''The Iliad'' was revered by Greeks and all who followed in the Greek legacy, attempting to emulate it.  It received something on the order of [[Biblical]] significance by later Greeks, seeking to define the prime values of their culture - honor, and valor.  [[Alexander the Great]] is said to have slept with a copy of ''The Iliad'' under his bed, and claimed to be a descendant of the Greek warrior [[Achilles]].

The Iliad is, together with the [[Odyssey]], which accounts events that took place after the Trojan War, one of the two main ancient Greek epic poems.

The [[Odyssey]], which primarily accounts events that took place after the Trojan War, is one of the two main ancient Greek epic poems.

::''Sing, O goddess, the anger of [[Achilles]] son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the [[Achaean]]s. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to [[Hades]], and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of [[Zeus|Jove]] fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.''

::''Sing, O goddess, the anger of [[Achilles]] son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the [[Achaean]]s. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to [[Hades]], and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of [[Zeus|Jove]] fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another.''

There is widespread debate over the historicity of the Iliad. Important questions in this debate include:

There is widespread debate over the historicity of the Iliad. Important questions in this debate include:

* Was the Iliad written by one man (the alleged Homer), or by many people over generations?

* Was the Iliad written by one man (the alleged Homer), or by many people over generations?

* Were some portions of the Iliad written before others?

* Were some portions of the Iliad written before others?

* Were the characters in the Iliad based on real people?

* To what extent are the characters in the Iliad based on historical figures?

At one time it was supposed that the story had little or no historical basis, but the discovery of what appear to be the ruins of Troy by Charles McLaren in 1822 suggests that the events are at least partially factual.<ref>[http://www.allaboutturkey.com/troy.htm Troy - All About Turkey]</ref>

At one time it was supposed that the story had little or no historical basis, but the discovery of what appear to be the ruins of Troy by Charles McLaren in 1822 suggests that the recounted events are at least partially factual.<ref>[http://www.allaboutturkey.com/troy.htm Troy - All About Turkey]</ref>

== See also ==

== See also ==