It's true that Aeneas' wanderings in the beginning of the poem are reminiscent of the same perils that Odysseus faced on his journey home to Ithaca, such as Aeneas' encounter with the Harpies (3:245) and the Cyclopes (3:760). Aeneas then struggles to safely colonize the Trojans in Italy upon his arrival which mirrors Odysseus' rocky homecoming and slaughter of Penelope's suitors. ... However, as Anchises describes "the glory that awaits the Trojan race," (6:896) it becomes clear that this poem is anything but a piracy of Homer's epic. ...

• Word Count: 707
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

It combines the horridness of war into an epic poem filled with art, illustrious descriptions, and a myriad of wonderful literary images. ... The poem begins with the poet calling on the Muse to sing of the wrath of Achiles and its consequence. ... The message is brought to Achilles by his good friends Odysseus, Aias, and Phoinix. ... These include Agamemnon, Diomedes, Odysseus, Eurypylos, and Machaon. ... Another man in this poem resembles Achilles is Agamemnon, who is the leader of the Greek army and the son of Atreus and the brother of Menelaos. ...

• Word Count: 2208
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

The Iliad is a poem believed to have been written by Homer around 800 B.C. ... The poem portrays the tenth and final year of the war, which started when Paris of Troy fell in love with Helen of Sparta and stole her away from her husband, Menelaus. ... His leadership is at times unsteady, a character flaw and, like many of the other warriors in the poem, may feel a sense of entitlement. ... Had it not been for the intervention of the goddesses Hera and Athena urging Odysseus to persuade them from leaving, the war may have ended that day but not as Agamemnon expected. ... Throughout the poem...

• Word Count: 2432
• Approx Pages: 10
• Grade Level: High School

Aias, Odysseus, Agamemnon, and other Greek leaders have similar successes. ... Through his actions and beliefs, Hector shows that he is a proud, dutiful, wise, and honorable man, once of the most noble in the entire poem. ...

• Word Count: 1928
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School