Editing Iliad (section)

== Background Information ==
Some important regions described in the epic are first identified below. 

• '''Elis''' is a region in the western <u>Peloponnese</u>, north of <u>Messenia</u> and west of <u>Arcadia</u>, known primarily for its association with the <u>Olympic Games</u>, which were held in Olympia. In the Homeric epics, the people of Elis are called the Epeians; it was a fertile region and was known for its horse breeding.

• '''Taÿgetus''' is a mountain range in the <u>Peloponnese</u>, near '''Sparta'''. The Spartans would leave weak infants to die on the mountain's slopes, and it was also known for its hunting and as a place of refuge during times of invasion.

• '''Aetolia''' is a region of Greece located to the north of the <u>Gulf of Patras</u>. The Aetolians were known as hardy mountain people and were famed for their fighting prowess, especially as light-armed troops.

• '''Phthia''' is often considered the homeland of '''[[Achilles]]''', king of the '''Myrmidons''' and the greatest Greek warrior of the <u>Trojan War</u>. It is situated in the historical region of <u>Thessaly</u> in central Greece. Thessaly was known as a fertile plain surrounded by mountains, with a strong tradition of horse breeding and cavalry. 

• '''Acarnania''' and '''Ambracia''' are located to the west of central Greece, near the <u>Ionian Sea</u>. In the Iliad, they are represented by contingents that sailed to Troy.

• '''Sparta''', ruled by '''Menelaus''', brother of Agamemnon (king of Mycenae) and husband of '''Helen'''; Sparta was a significant military power and plays a vital role in the epic.

• '''Mycenae''', ruled by '''Agamemnon''', brother of Menelaus and leader of the Greeks in the <u>Trojan War</u>. '''Argos''' is also often used to refer to the domain of Agamemnon, but it was also a separate polity in the northeastern <u>Peloponnese</u>.

• '''Pylos''', the domain of '''Nestor''', an elder statesman and wise counselor among the Greeks.

• '''Boeotia''', a region north of the <u>Gulf of Corinth</u>, known for its city of '''Thebes''' and other towns.

• '''Phocis''', located near '''Delphi''', was an important region in <u>central Greece</u>.

• <u>Crete</u>, led by '''Idomeneus''', a prominent king and one of the most respected leaders of the Greek forces.

• '''Ithaca''', the home of '''Odysseus''', the cleverest and most cunning of the Greek kings. The <u>Ionian Islands</u> were part of his domain.

• <u>Lesbos</u>, an island in the northeastern <u>Aegean Sea</u>.

• <u>Rhodes</u>, under the leadership of '''Tlepolemus''', had a distinct contingent of Greeks.

• '''Maeonia''' and '''Caria''', regions in <u>Asia Minor</u> that show the geographic reach of the story of the <u>Trojan War</u>.

=== Prelude ===
The Iliad (Greek: Ἰλιάς, Iliás, [i.li.ás]) is an epic poem that centers on a few critical weeks during the tenth and final year of the <u>Trojan War</u>, focusing primarily on the wrath of '''Achilles''' (Ἀχιλλεύς, Achilleús, [a.kʰil.le͜ús]) and its consequences. The epic is set in and around '''Troy''' (Τροία, Troía, [tro͜í.a]), known in the poem as '''Ilion''' (Ἴλιον, Ílion, [í.li.on]). In Greece it would be understood as the War Against Ilion or the <u>War at Ilion</u> (Ilion Polemos, Ἰλίου πόλεμος). The inhabitants of Ilion were called '''Ilieis''' (Ἰλιεῖς) or '''Troes''' (Τρῶες).

The events immediately preceding the main narrative involve a series of battles and incidents that lead up to the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. While the epic itself begins <u>in medias res</u> ('in the middle of things,' a common technique in epic poetry), certain prior occurrences and the context of the <u>Trojan War</u> are crucial for understanding the situation at the start of the epic.

The Trojan War's origins trace back to the <u>Judgment of Paris</u>, where '''Paris''' (Πάρις, Páris, [ˈpa.ris]), a prince of '''Troy''', awarded '''[[Aphrodite]]''' (Ἀφροδίτη, Aphrodítē, [apʰroˈdi.tɛː]) the golden apple over '''[[Hera]]''' (Ἥρα, Hḗra, [hɛ́ː.ra]) and '''[[Athena]]''' (Ἀθηνᾶ, Athēnâ, IPA: [a.tʰɛː.nâː]), thereby declaring her the most beautiful of the three goddesses. In return, Aphrodite promised him '''Helen''' (Ἑλένη, Helénē, [heˈlɛ.nɛː]), the most beautiful woman in the world; even though she was married to Menelaus (Μενέλαος, Menélaos, [meˈne.laos]), king of Sparta (Σπάρτη, Spártē, [ˈspar.tɛː]). Paris' abduction of Helen leads to the '''Achaean''' (Greek) expedition against Troy to retrieve her, marking the beginning of the Trojan War. This occurred ten years prior to the beginning of the epic as composed by Homer. 

From the perspective of the gods, human affairs often serve as a backdrop for their own conflicts and machinations. Aphrodite's disregard for the fact that Helen was married to Menelaus reflects a broader theme in Greek mythology of the gods' capriciousness and indifference to the moral and social order of the human world. The Trojan War, like many events in Greek mythology, is often depicted as fated or predetermined. The gods' actions can be seen as part of the unfolding of a destiny that lies beyond mere mortal control or understanding. In this view, the war serves as a stage for the resolution of divine and heroic narratives, with human characters caught in the interplay of fate and divine will. Aphrodite's protection of Paris and Helen throughout the war, despite the suffering it causes, emphasizes the double-edged nature of divine favor; while Paris gains a beautiful wife and Helen is made the most coveted woman, the price is a devastating war that engulfs both their societies.

The Trojan War is traditionally dated to the '''late Bronze Age''', around the 12th century BCE. The participants in the Trojan War, as described in Homer's epics, were '''Mycenaean Greeks''', whose civilization flourished from around 1600 BCE to 1100 BCE. Mycenaeans were known for their palatial estates, warrior culture, and extensive trade networks; key centers included Mycenae, Pylos, and Tiryns. The Mycenaean Greeks of the Trojan War era shared a common culture and language, with regional variations; the war, as depicted in the epics, reflects the values, societal structures, and religious beliefs of the Mycenaean period, albeit through the lens of later Greek poetic tradition. 

Troy's location near the <u>Dardanelles</u> (the <u>Hellespont</u>) gave it control over the vital maritime trade routes between the <u>Aegean Sea</u> and the <u>Black Sea</u>. Mycenaean Greeks, known for their maritime trade and interest in expanding their commercial networks, might have seen Troy as a strategic obstacle or a valuable asset to control to secure trade routes and access to resources from the Black Sea region. The competition for resources, such as metals and other trade goods, could have fueled conflicts between Mycenaean city-states and the Trojans. Control over regions rich in resources would have been a significant motive for warfare in the Bronze Age. The Mycenaean civilization was characterized by powerful kings and warrior elites who engaged in warfare for territorial expansion and to assert their dominance over rivals. Additionally, the complex network of alliances and rivalries among Mycenaean city-states and with neighboring regions could have led to conflicts involving Troy; the city's alliances with other powers in Anatolia and the Near East might have posed a threat to Mycenaean interests, prompting military action.

Excavations at the site of '''Hisarlık''' [hɪˈsaɾɫɯk] have revealed several layers of settlement, some of which show evidence of destruction and rebuilding. While it's challenging to pinpoint a layer that corresponds exactly with the Trojan War of legend, the archaeological record indicates that the city experienced periods of conflict and destruction that could align with a historical basis for the war. Archaeological findings, including Mycenaean pottery and artifacts in western Anatolia, suggest interactions between the Mycenaeans and the region around Troy. These interactions could have included trade, diplomacy, and potentially conflict.

Before the events of Book 1, the Achaean heroes of the epic had been besieging Troy for nearly ten years. This prolonged conflict involved numerous battles, skirmishes, and raids on surrounding Trojan territories and allies that happened off-screen. The specific battle that led to the capture of '''Chryseis''' and '''Briseis''' took place during a raid on '''Thebe''' (under Trojan control) and other nearby cities, including '''Lyrnessus'''. These raids were part of the Achaeans' broader strategy to weaken Troy's support and resources. In the context of ancient warfare, it was common for victorious warriors to claim captives as war prizes; these individuals, often of noble birth, were taken as slaves, concubines, or servants. The distribution of such prizes was a matter of honor and prestige, reflecting a warrior's valor and contributions to the victory.