ILIAD BOOK 1

THE ILIAD
BOOK 1

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

ILIAD BOOK I
IDENTIFICATION
Match the description with the people, places, and gods listed below.
You may use some of the descriptions more than once.

1. _____ Achaians A. wife of Agamemnon

B. vulnerable leader of the Myrmidons
2. _____ Achilleus
C. another name for the Greeks
3. _____ Apollo D. goddess sent by Hera to stay Achilleus’ anger
E. a priest of Apollo
4. _____ Argives
F. another way to say “son of Atreus” (a reference to Agamemnon)
5. _____ Athene G. close friend of Agamemnon who accompanied Chryseis on the ship
H. the son of Zeus and Leto who angrily shot arrows at the Greeks
6. _____ Atreides
I. close friend of Achilleus
7. _____ Atreus J. the best of bird interpreters
K. the home of Nestor
8. _____ Briseis
L. the home of Achilleus
9. _____ Chryseis M. the king of Troy
N. Agamemnon’s “prize”
10. _____ Chryses
O. the father of Patroklos
11. _____ Danaans P. the father of Achilleus
Q. the mother of Achilleus
12. _____ Hektor
R. the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus
13. _____ Hera S. the aged, wise counselor of the Greeks
T. Achilleus’ “prize”
14. _____ Ilion
U. another name for Troy
15. _____ Kalchas V. the people of Phthia
W. the greatest Trojan fighter who was the son of Priam
16. _____ Klytaimestra
X. the goddess who loved and cared for Achilleus and Agamemnon
17. _____ Menoitios
18. _____ Myrmidons
19. _____ Nestor
20. _____ Odysseus
21. _____ Patroklos
22. _____ Peleus
23. _____ Phthia
24. _____ Priam
25. _____ Pylos
26. _____ Thetis

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

ILIAD, BOOK I
WHO DID IT?
Match the mortal or the god with the deed.

Achilleus Apollo Hephaistos Kalchas Odysseus Thetis

Agamemnon Chryses Hera Nestor Patroklos Zeus

1. ___________________________________ accompanied Chryseis back to her father.

2. ___________________________________ sent a plague to punish the Greeks.

3. ___________________________________ scolded Zeus for plotting with Thetis.

4. ___________________________________ sulked in his tent.

5. ___________________________________ insisted on taking Briseis, Achilleus’ prize.

6. __________________________________ told Agamemnon truths he didn’t want to hear.

7. ___________________________________ tried to ransom his daughter from the Greeks.

8. ___________________________________ attempted to make peace between Zeus and Hera.

9. ___________________________________ accompanied Achilleus back to his tent.

10. ___________________________________ came from the sea to comfort her son.

11. __________________________________ wanted to avoid Hera’s anger.

12. ___________________________________ tried to make peace between Agamemnon and

Achilleus through wise counsel.
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 ILIAD BOOK 1

TEACHER’S KEY
IDENTIFICATION
1. C
2. B
3. H
4. C
5. D
6. F
7. R
8. T
9. N
10. E
11. C
12. W
13. X
14. U
15. J
16. A
17. O
18. V
19. S
20. G
21. I
22. P
23. L
24. M
25. K
26. Q

TEACHER’S KEY
WHO DID IT?
1. Odysseus
2. Apollo
3. Hera
4. Achilleus
5. Agamemnon
6. Kalchas
7. Chryses
8. Hephaistos
9. Patroklos
10. Thetis
11. Zeus
12. Nestor
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 ILIAD BOOK 1

SOURCE OF THE ANGER

In the first book of the Iliad, it seems as if all men, gods, and goddesses are consumed with anger.
For each of the statements below, explain the source of the anger.

1. Apollo is angry with the Greeks.

________________________________________________________________________________

2. Agamemnon is angry with Kalkhas.

________________________________________________________________________________

3. Achilleus is angry with Agamemnon.

(a) ____________________________________________________________________________

(b) _____________________________________________________________________________

4. Agamemnon is angry with Achilleus.

(a) _____________________________________________________________________________

(b) _____________________________________________________________________________

5. Hera is angry with Zeus.

(a) _____________________________________________________________________________

(b) _____________________________________________________________________________

6. Zeus is angry with Hera.

________________________________________________________________________________

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

RESOLUTION OF THE ANGER

In the previous exercise, you identified the source of the anger.
In this exercise, explain how the two parties attempted to resolve the conflict.

1. Apollo is angry with the Greeks.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

2. Agamemnon is angry with Kalkhas.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

3. Achilleus is angry with Agamemnon.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

4. Agamemnon is angry with Achilleus.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

5. Hera is angry with Zeus.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

6. Zeus is angry with Hera.

Resolution: ____________________________________________________________

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

TEACHER’S KEY
SOURCE OF THE ANGER
1. Agamemnon insulted his priest by refusing to return his daughter.

2. Kalkhas stated that Agamemnon is to blame for the wrath of Apollo.

3. (a) Agamemnon insisted that Achilleus give Briseis to him as compensation for his loss of Chryseis.
(b) Agamemnon did not give Achilleus credit for being the “best of the Achaians.”

4. (a) Achilleus did not believe that he should have to give Briseis to Agamemnon.
(b) Achilleus had the audacity to say that he was greater than Agamemnon.

5. (a) He kept helping the Trojans.

(b) He consorted with Thetis behind her back.

6. She constantly interfered in his affairs and questioned his decisions.

TEACHER’S KEY
RESOLUTION OF THE ANGER
1. Agamemnon consented to return Chryseis to her father.

2. He followed his advice no matter how biased it seemed.

3. (a) Achilleus gave up Briseis.

(b) Achilleus abandoned Agamemnon in the war.

4. (a) Achilleus gave up Briseis, and Agamemnon thought this was a fair settlement.
(b) Agamemnon did not try to persuade Achilleus to stay when he threatened to withdraw from the
fight.

5. (a) Zeus told Hera that he would help whomever he wished despite her entreaties.
(b) Zeus told Hera not to probe his thoughts or to interfere in his plans. Hephaistos reminded Hera of
the repercussions he suffered when he crossed Zeus.

6. Zeus told Hera to mind her own business.

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

INSULTS IN THE ILIAD BOOK I

Grown men and even gods and goddesses resort to name-calling as they are consumed by their anger
during arguments. For each of the insults written below, provide (1) the person who hurled the insult, (2)
the person who received the insult, (3) an explanation of the situation that caused the first person to insult
the second, and (4) an explanation of why the first person thought this was an appropriate thing to say.

“seer of evil” (line 106)

(1) ___________________________________ (2) ___________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(4) ___________________________________________________________________________

“greediest for gain of all men” (line 123)

(1) ___________________________________ (2) ___________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(4) ___________________________________________________________________________

“the most hateful of all kings whom the gods love” (line 176)

(1) ___________________________________ (2) ___________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(4) ___________________________________________________________________________

“you wine sack, with a dog’s eyes, with a deer’s heart” (line 225)

(1) ___________________________________ (2) ___________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(4) ___________________________________________________________________________

“treacherous one” (line 540)

(1) ___________________________________ (2) ___________________________________

(3) ___________________________________________________________________________

(4) ___________________________________________________________________________

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

TEACHER’S KEY
INSULTS IN THE ILIAD BOOK I

“seer of evil” (line 106)

(1) Agamemnon (2) Kalkhas

(3) He doesn’t like the explanation of the plague that Kalkhas has provided.
(4) He thinks that Kalkhas is biased against him in his interpretation of signs.

“greediest for gain of all men” (line 123)

(1) Achilleus (2) Agamemnon

(3) Achilleus is angry because Agamemnon wants another prize to replace Chryseis.
(4) Achilleus thinks Agamemnon is overstepping his authority by suggesting that he should be
allowed to take back gifts that he bestowed.

“the most hateful of all kings whom the gods love” (line 176)

(1) Agamemnon (2) Achilleus

(3) Agamemnon has just heard that Achilleus will leave if he doesn’t get his way.
(4) Agamemnon thinks that running away is a cowardly, weak thing to do. He also thinks that
Achilleus is being insubordinate.

“you wine sack, with a dog’s eyes, with a deer’s heart” (line 225)

(1) Achilleus (2) Agamemnon

(3) Agamemnon has just announced that he will take Briseis whether Achilleus likes it or not. He
further states that Achilleus is not nearly as great as he is.
(4) Achilleus attacks Agamemnon’s character by suggesting that he drinks too much, fawns on his
men, and is cowardly.

“treacherous one” (line 540)

(1) Hera (2) Zeus

(3) Hera has seen Zeus talking in hushed tones with Thetis.
(4) Hera thinks that Zeus should consult her about his plans and if he doesn’t, he must be plotting
against her wishes.

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

EPITHETS
Homer frequently uses specific adjectives or phrases to describe the characters in the Iliad and the Odyssey.
These descriptions are called epithets. As you read Book I of the Iliad, identify the character who is
consistently described with each phrase below. Some characters may have more than one epithet.

Achilleus Briseis Hephaistos Nestor

Agamemnon Chryseis Hera Odysseus
Apollo Dawn Kalchas Thetis
Athene Hektor Leto Zeus

1. ________________________________ the grey-eyed

2. ________________________________ the ox-eyed lady

3. ________________________________ the fair-girdled

4. ________________________________ lord of the lightning

5. ________________________________ the silver footed

6. ________________________________ who strikes from afar

7. ________________________________ of the lovely hair

8. ______________________________ man-slaughtering

9. ______________________________ the blameless seer

10. _____________________________ the glancing eyed girl

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

EPITHETS (continued)

Achilleus Briseis Hephaistos Nestor

Agamemnon Chryseis Hera Odysseus
Apollo Dawn Kalchas Thetis
Athene Hektor Leto Zeus

11. ________________________________ who gathers the clouds

12. ________________________________ of the silver bow

13. ________________________________ of the swift feet

14. ________________________________ of the many designs

15. ________________________________ the strong-handed

16. ________________________________ of the aegis

17. ________________________________ the fair-spoken

18. ________________________________ goddess of the white arms

19. ________________________________ with rosy fingers

20. ________________________________ with dog’s eyes

21. ________________________________ the archer

22. ________________________________ the broad-browed son of Kronos

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TEACHER’S KEY
EPITHETS
1. Athene
2. Hera
3. Briseis
4. Zeus
5. Thetis
6. Apollo
7. Leto
8. Hektor
9. Kalchas
10. Chryseis
11. Zeus
12. Apollo
13. Achilleus
14. Odysseus
15. Hephaistos
16. Zeus
17. Nestor
18. Hera
19. Dawn
20. Agamemnon
21. Apollo
22. Zeus

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

INTERVENTION OF THE GODS

In the Iliad, the gods intervene in the affairs of humans as well as in the affairs on Mount Olympus.
For the gods and goddesses listed below, describe the intervention and the outcome of the intervention.

APOLLO
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
HERA ________________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ATHENA ______________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
THETIS
1. ______________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
ZEUS ________________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
HEPHAISTOS ___________________________________________________________________________
Outcome __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

TEACHER’S KEY
INTERVENTION OF THE GODS
Apollo
1. He sent a plague to the Greeks after Agamemnon insulted his priest.
Outcome: Agamemnon and Achilleus argued, and Achilleus refused to continue fighting for
the Greeks.
2. He sent favorable winds to Odysseus after he delivered Chryseis to Chryses.
Outcome: The Greeks knew Apollo had forgiven them and their confidence returned.

Hera
She sent Athena to Achilleus.
Outcome: Achilleus did not kill Agamemnon.

Athena
She went to visit Achilleus to convince him not to kill Agamemnon.
Outcome: Achilleus obeyed Athena and attacked Agamemnon with words instead.

Thetis
1. She visited Achilleus to find out why he was lamenting.
Outcome: Thetis realized she had bargaining power with Zeus because she had assisted him
during a conspiracy.
2. She went to Zeus to request his help for Achilleus.
Outcome: Zeus promised to aid the Trojans so that Achilleus’ honor would be restored.

Zeus
He clandestinely promised Thetis that he would help the Trojans once again.
Outcome: Hera confronted Zeus about his meeting and incurred his wrath.

Hephaistos
He soothed Hera and reminded her how Zeus had made him lame when he had incurred his wrath.
Outcome: Hera chose to avoid punishment by dropping the subject of Thetis and by
ingratiating herself to Zeus.

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

WHO ARE THE MYRMIDONS?

Agamemnon tells Achilleus that he can simply gather his Myrmidons and go home; he does not
need his help in this war. Read below to learn the origin of Achilleus’ hardy warriors.

THE MYRMIDONS

This strange tale of transformation began when Zeus, the ruler of heavens and earth, was looking down
one day from Mt. Olympus and spied the lovely young woman Aegina. And, as was his nature, he decided
that he wanted her as one of his wives. Therefore, he disguised himself as an eagle, swooped down to
earth, and carried Aegina off to the island Oenopia. There they lived, and she bore him a son, Aeacus. In
her honor, Zeus decreed the island be renamed "Aegina" after his wife and that their son should be the
king there when he reached an appropriate age.

And so it was that Aeacus became the leader of the small but prosperous island. All was well in Aeacus'
land for many years: the crops grew full with grain, the cattle and sheep grew strong and multiplied, and
the people lived in contentment. Unfortunately, however, this pleasant state of affairs came to the notice
of Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus.

To Hera it was an outrage that Aegina should have an island bearing her name. "This cannot be!" she
exclaimed in divine fury. "Aegina's son, Aeacus, may think he rules a wonderful place now, but let's see
what he thinks in the days to come. Aegina's namesake might not be so wonderful then!"

This said, Hera sent a horrible plague to the island. Harsh blasts of hot air blew in from the south, causing
the crops to wither upon the ground and die. Serpents suddenly swarmed over the land, poisoning
streams and wells with their venom. Birds, livestock, and wild beasts all took ill and dropped wretchedly
to their deaths. The air itself became poisonous. Nor were the inhabitants of the island spared. Their
bodies blistered with heat and fever, and their minds fell in despair. All around were signs of disease and
death and sorrow. Only Aeacus and his own son were spared.

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"What have I done to merit such ruin?" Aeacus cried in the temple of his father Zeus. "Please, oh mighty
father, help me in this crisis. Either provide me with a way to regain my people, or send me to a merciful
death also."
WHO ARE THE MYRMIDONS? (continued)

Zeus, hearing his son's plea, responded with a single thunderbolt. Aeacus, knowing he had been heard,
felt hope. Leaving the temple, he spotted an ancient oak, the tree sacred to Zeus. As he approached this
tree, he spotted an army of ants engaged in work. Each of the creatures was foraging crumbs and storing
them in his arboreal nest. Aeacus was touched by the sight of their industry, and that night he dreamed of
them in the strangest manner. He saw the ants fall from the boughs of the tree to the earth, and he saw
these fallen workers suddenly grow large and into human form. "It was only a dream," he sighed sadly in
the morning.

But then, into his room came running his son, full of excitement and wonder. "Father, come now! Come
quickly! A miracle has occurred!"

Aeacus followed his son into the morning light to behold a miracle indeed! There before him stood a new
army of young men, just as in his dream. These youths he named the Myrmidons* after their former state,
and in time these new soldiers restored his island home to prosperity once again.

* myrmex is Greek for ant

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 ILIAD BOOK 1

Susan Senechal
Virginia Beach, VA

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May be reproduced for classroom use