The Iliad, an epic poem attributed to Homer and the oldest extant piece of European literature, is conventionally divided into 24 books. Here you'll find an approximately one-page summary of each book, a description of the major characters and sometimes places, and an English translation. For help identifying the topic of each book, phrases or tags follow the summary link. Books 1-4 have cultural notes to help you as you start reading the Iliad.
[The Odyssey | For a Greek version of The Iliad, see The Chicago Homer]
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I Summary.
Supplication. Plague. Quarrel.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation.
Cultural Notes on Iliad Book I -
II Summary.
Greeks and Trojans get ready for battle.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation.
Cultural Notes on Iliad Book II -
III Summary.
Paris single combat with Menelaus.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation.
Cultural Notes on Iliad Book III -
IV Summary.
Quarrel among the gods.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation.
Cultural Notes on Iliad Book IV -
V Summary.
Athena helps Diomedes. He injures Aphrodite and Ares.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
VI Summary.
Andromache begs Hector not to fight.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
VII Summary.
Ajax and Hector fight, but neither wins. Paris refuses to give up Helen.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
VIII Summary.
2nd battle; Greeks beaten back.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
IX Summary.
Agamemnon returns Briseis to Achilles.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
X Summary.
Odysseus and Diomedes capture a Trojan spy.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XI Summary.
Nestor urges Patroclus to persuade Achilles to lend him his armor and his men.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XII Summary.
Trojans get through Greek walls.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XIII Summary.
Poseidon helps the Greeks.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XIV Summary.
Largely through the shenanigans of the gods, the Trojans are driven back. Hector is wounded.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XV Summary.
Apollo sent to heal Hector. Hector burns Greek ships.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XVI Summary.
Achilles lets Patroclus wear his armor and lead his Myrmidons. Hector kills Patroclus.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XVII Summary.
Achilles learns Patroclus is dead.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XVIII Summary.
Achilles mourns. Shield of Achilles.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XIX Summary.
Reconciled with Agamemnon, Achilles agrees to lead the Greeks.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XX Summary.
Gods join the battle. Hera, Athena, Poseidon, Hermes, and Hephaestus for the Greeks. Apollo, Artemis, Ares, and Aphrodite for the Trojans.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XXI Summary.
Achilles winning. Trojans retreat.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XXII Summary.
Hector and Achilles meet in single combat. Death of Hector.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XXIII Summary.
Funeral Games for Patroclus.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation. -
XXIV Summary.
Hector desecration, return, and burial.
Major Characters of the Book.
English Translation.
