Articles on the Trojan War and the Epic Cycle Including the Iliad

The ancient Greeks traced their history to mythological events and their genealogy to the gods and goddesses. Perhaps the most pivotal event in the early history of ancient Greece was the Trojan War, which was started, according to the ancient reports, by a conflict among the goddesses.

Sign up for free email lessons about the Trojan War prepared as background for the Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom movie on Troy.

The names of the gods and goddesses in the Iliad of Homer.

Articles on this site on the Trojan War, Helen of Troy, Homer, and other people and characters familiar from the Trojan War.

The names of the Greek or Trojan killer, his Greek or Trojan victim, the manner of death, and the place in the Iliad of Homer.

The names of the places in the Iliad of Homer.

In the Warner Bros. movie Troy Achilles lasts until the Trojan Horse. In the Iliad, he doesn't.

The major women involved in the stories about the Trojan War.

Palamedes was one of the Greek heroes of the Trojan War.

If you can get over the omission of the gods and goddesses from the lives of the Greeks and Trojans, and can accept the adjustments that must be made to the Epic Cycle, the movie "Troy" is pretty exciting.

Nemesis narrates the story of Helen who launched 1000 ships and Aphrodite.

Aphrodite's responsibility for the Trojan War.

The Greek fleet set sail for the Trojan War from the town of Aulis.

The seer who told Agamemnon what to do to overcome the anger of the gods.

In the Warner Bros. movie Troy Briseis killed Agamemnon, but that's not what the ancient tragedies said.

What the Greek heroes most longed for was a reputation for excellence, time (worship, esteem, honor) and kleos (fame). What they shunned was anything that lessened their reputation.

"Both sides in the Trojan War may be represented among the Sea Peoples, but the impossibility of obtaining precise dates for the fall of Troy and the raids of the Sea Peoples makes it difficult to work out exactly how they are connected."

Eris was the goddess of Discord whose apple of discord spawned the Trojan War.

Electra is the daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon.

An extensive and eclectic site from Carlos Parada includes episodes, route maps for the Achaean leaders, list of groups, and Thucydides comments.

Narration of the events in the Iliad when Patroclus and the Myrmidons entered the fray.

Carlos Parada's page on the Greek hero Patroclus.

Ancient depictions of events from the epic cycle, the lion gate, and scenes from a modern Oresteia. Only half the vase paintings are available to the public.

Find information on subtopics of Homer's Iliad or subscribe to a related newsletter.