This book provides an up-to-date introduction to one of the most influential works of literature in the European tradition: Homer’s Iliad.

Along with the Odyssey, the Iliad has enjoyed increased attention due to new translations, creative reception from novels to musicals and video games, and continued inclusion at the secondary and collegiate levels globally. At the same time, it is also among the most frequently misunderstood works of literature. This book offers a concise, readable, yet still critical introduction to Homer’s epic, providing:

· Thematically organized chapters that discuss the history and content of the epic alongside various interpretative approaches.

· Chapters that highlight essential moments in the Iliad in an accessible presentation of the epic’s stories and the importance of its style.

· In-depth analysis of a few passages in each chapter pertinent to the relevant subject, allowing readers to think more critically.

The Iliad: The Basics is suitable for readers who are coming to Homer for the first time as well as those who may have some familiarity with the poem and ancient Greek traditions. Students will benefit from its engaging approach and casual readers interested in reading the Iliad for the first time or returning to it after many years will find the discussions informative and exciting.

Elton T. E. Barker is Professor of Greek Literature and Culture at The Open University. He has published widely on the relationship between epic, historiography and tragedy. Homer's Thebes (2020), co-authored with Joel, reimagines Theban references in Homer as a dynamic exchange of language, motifs and ideas.

Joel P. Christensen is Professor of Classics and Provost at the City University of New York Graduate Center. He has written on epic and storytelling, publishing The Many Minded Man: the Odyssey, Psychology and the Therapy of Epic in 2020 and Storylife: On Epic, Narrative, and Living Things in 2025.