The Iliad is undoubtedly one of the world"s greatest stories of all time. It is an excellent mix of action, adventure, and heartbreak as it tells the tale of the bloody ten-year battle of Troy, and shows us that the cost of war is always great. The Iliad is the type of story that draws the reader in and doesn"t let go till you finish the final page. This Greek story of suffering and triumph is a tale that will never be forgotten. The supposed blind author of both this story and the Odyssey, Homer, is thought to have lived around 800 and 750 BC. At this time it is believed Homer found a scribe who was could both read and write which he then proceeded in putting down the stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey in to writing, and thus being credited with being the author. Never the less the name of Homer will forever be written in the archives of time as the one who brought these two amazing stories into our lives. .

             There are so many characters in this book that to list them all would take up twenty pages so the following is a compilation of the most important and influential characters in the book. .

             It is difficult to pick a definite protagonist in the Iliad, but I would have to say it would be Achilles. He is the most powerful and handsome hero of the war, characterized by a violent and headstrong individualism, which later leads to his dismissal from the army of the Achaeans. He starts out disliking Agamemnon, but later turns his hatred to, Hector, the prince of Troy, after the death of Patroclus. He goes through a period of guilt for what he thinks is partly his fault in his friend"s death. Then like a true hero he confronts his fears and rises up against Hector and Troy to win the war, but unfortunately as foretold at his birth he is killed in battle by Hector"s brother Paris, but is remembered Forever as a hero.

             Agamemnon is King of Mycenae, and commander and chief of the entire Achaean army.