Divine Influence: The gods are portrayed as having significant power and influence over human events. They can control the outcome of battles, manipulate the actions of mortals, and intervene directly to protect or hinder certain individuals or groups.
Partisanship and Factions: The gods are divided into two main factions, each supporting different sides in the war. The Olympians, led by Zeus, generally favor the Greeks, while the Trojan gods, such as Apollo and Aphrodite, support the Trojans. This divine partisanship adds complexity and unpredictability to the conflict.
Motives and Emotions: The gods are depicted as having human-like emotions, such as love, anger, jealousy, and pride. Their interventions are often driven by these emotions and their personal relationships with mortals. For instance, Aphrodite intervenes to save her son Aeneas from danger, while Apollo helps Paris in his duel with Menelaus.
Fate and Destiny: While the gods have a significant impact on events, they are also subject to a higher power known as Fate or Destiny. The gods acknowledge and respect the overall course of events determined by Fate, but they can still influence the details and outcomes within those boundaries.
The Role of Zeus: Zeus, the king of the gods, plays a central role in The Iliad. He often intervenes to restore order, mediate disputes, and enforce the decisions of Fate. His interventions demonstrate his authority and power over both gods and mortals.
Epic Conventions: The active involvement of gods and goddesses in human affairs is a common convention in ancient Greek epic poetry. It reflects the belief in the divine nature of the world and the pervasive influence of the gods in shaping human destinies.
Overall, the intervention of gods and goddesses in The Iliad illustrates their crucial role in shaping the events of the Trojan War. Their involvement adds an element of divine intrigue, complexity, and drama to the epic narrative.