The Iliad is a story about the siege of Troy by the Achaeans, or Greeks. It focuses on the events in the ten-year conflict between the Achaeans and the Trojans. The poem is set in Troy and the surrounding area.
The main characters of the Iliad are Achilles, Paris, Helen and Troy. Achilles is one of the greatest Greek warriors and is the main character of the poem. He is known for his strength, speed and invulnerability. Paris is the son of King Priam of Troy. He is the cause of the war as he elopes with Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world and wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. Helen is the reason for the war as she is desired by both sides and is considered to be the catalyst for the conflict. Troy is the city that is besieged by the Greeks and is the setting for the poem.
The poem also includes many other characters, including gods and goddesses, heroes, and mortals. The gods and goddesses play an important role in the story as they intervene in the war to help their chosen sides. The heroes of the poem are renowned warriors and include Agamemnon, Menelaus, Odysseus and Ajax. The mortals in the poem are the civilians who are caught up in the conflict between the Greeks and Trojans.
The Iliad is an important work of literature as it provides insight into the values, beliefs and traditions of ancient Greece. It is also a complex and exciting story of war, love, honour, and betrayal.