This first part of the term will be devoted to reading and discussing Homer's Iliad. By the time we have finished reading it, each student should be able to discuss the the following topics in addition to understanding the basic narrative of the poem:

Kleos, or honor

Time (tee-may), or the bronze age system of hero's reward

The Homeric Conception of Death & Immortality

Aristeia, or the heroic episode

The Humanity of Hector (i.e. his many very human relationships)

The Humanity of Achilles (i.e. how he reconciles towards death)

Menos, or anger/wrath as central to the Iliad

Relationship between Gods and Men (god to god; men to gods; men to men)

Mortality and Honor (i.e. can the gods have honor?)

Your grade will be determined by how you do on several short quizzes and homework assignments, a midterm, improvement in reading aloud, commentary on this blog, and class discussion. Please feel free to post questions in the comments sections.