Quote by Homer: “Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles.”

These opening lines directly invoke the muse, setting the epic tone and theme of Achilles' profound wrath and its devastating consequences. It immediately signals that the story will explore the intense emotions and severe impacts of human fury on individuals and nations, guided by divine inspiration.

The Iliad emerged from a heroic tradition where divine intervention and human passion, particularly the warrior's rage, were central to narrative and fate. This invocation frames the tale within a world where gods influenced mortal affairs.

Ancient Greek epic poet credited with composing the Iliad and the Odyssey, two of the oldest and most influential works of Western literature. Whether Homer was a single historical figure or a composite of oral poets remains debated. The poems, dated to approximately 750–700 BCE, shaped Greek identity, values, and religious thought for centuries.