What happens in Book 2 of The Iliad?
Book 2 opens with Zeus, king of the Greek gods, who has allied himself with the Trojans, opposing his wife Hera, who favors the Achaens. Zeus tricks Agamemnon by convincing him in a dream that his forces could win if they launched a full-scale assault against the walls of Troy.
How big was the Greek army in the Trojan War?
According to Homer, the Trojan War lasted ten years. The conflict pitted the wealthy city of Troy and its allies against a coalition of all Greece. It was the greatest war in history, involving at least 100,000 men in each army as well as 1,184 Greek ships.
Who are the two warriors in the Iliad?
In Homer’s Iliad, the two main warriors on the Greek and Trojan sides are Achilles and Hector, respectively. Their differences are shaped by the various reasons that the Greeks and Trojans are involved in the war.
What did a Trojan soldier look like?
Like the neighbouring Hittites, Trojan soldiers were probably black-haired, clean-shaven and might have worn their hair long at the back often in a thick plait, as an extra protection against arrows, spear thrusts and sword slashes from behind.
Is Trojan War real?
As the historical sources – Herodotus and Eratosthenes – show, it was generally assumed to have been a real event. According to Homer’s Iliad, the conflict between the Greeks – led by Agamemnon, King of Mycenae – and the Trojans – whose king was Priam – took place in the Late Bronze Age, and lasted 10 years.
Did Helen of Troy die?
Menelaus and Helen then returned to Sparta, where they lived happily until their deaths. According to a variant of the story, Helen, in widowhood, was driven out by her stepsons and fled to Rhodes, where she was hanged by the Rhodian queen Polyxo in revenge for the death of her husband, Tlepolemus, in the Trojan War.
Why did Hector fight Achilles?
Hector wants to battle Achilles to avenge his country and defend it against future Greek attacks. In An Iliad, he considers reasoning with Achilles, but his pride overcomes him.
How does Achilles want his mother Thetis to help him and why does he expect Zeus will be inclined to listen to her?
Why did Achilles call on his mother Thetis to help him, and why does he expect Zeus will be inclined to listen to her? He wants her to beg Zeus to help the Trojans. He thinks he will listen to her because she has helped Zeus before and he owes her.
Why is Zeus reluctant to punish the Greeks achaeans?
In Book 1, why is Zeus reluctant to punish the Achaeans and aid Troy? Because Hera favors the Achaeans and hates Troy. The dream, taking the form of the wise Nestor, tells Agamemnon that Troy will fall if he attacks immediately at full strength.