10 Fascinating Facts About the Iliad

📚The Iliad had a significant impact on Greek military culture, with Alexander the Great building an army based on its values.

🌍While the existence of the city of Troy has been doubted, geologists have found evidence matching Homer's detailed landscape description.

💔The relationship between Patroclus and Achilles in the Iliad is speculated to be a romantic one, reflecting ancient Greek culture.

🎥The film Troy, based on the Iliad, deviates from the original story by omitting Greek gods and including llamas, which are not indigenous to ancient Turkey.

📜The Bennett Iliad, a 10th-century manuscript, contains critical commentary on the epic cycle and lost Greek poems, preserving valuable ancient knowledge.

Was the Iliad considered historical?

—While the ancients believed it to be historical, its accuracy has been questioned, although geologists have found evidence supporting the existence of Troy.

Are the characters in the Iliad based on real people?

—The characters in the Iliad are a mix of real historical figures and fictional characters created by Homer.

Did homosexuality play a role in ancient Greek culture?

—Homosexuality was common and accepted in ancient Greek culture, making the portrayal of Patroclus and Achilles's relationship significant.

How accurate is the film Troy in depicting the events of the Iliad?

—The film Troy takes creative liberties, deviating from the original story by omitting Greek gods and including llamas, which are geographically incorrect.

What is the significance of the Bennett Iliad?

—The Bennett Iliad is a valuable manuscript containing ancient critical commentary and lost Greek poems, providing insights into the epic cycle.

00:00The Iliad had a profound impact on Greek military culture, influencing the strategies employed by Alexander the Great and other Greek generals.

00:18Geologists have found evidence supporting the existence of Troy, matching Homer's detailed landscape description in the Iliad.

01:07The relationship between Patroclus and Achilles in the Iliad is speculated to be romantic, reflecting ancient Greek culture's acceptance of homosexuality.

01:22The film Troy, based on the Iliad, deviates from the original story by omitting Greek gods and including llamas, despite being set in ancient Turkey.

02:09The Bennett Iliad, a 10th-century manuscript, contains critical commentary on the epic cycle and lost Greek poems, preserving valuable ancient knowledge.