Who is The Hero In The Iliad?

The Iliad is an epic poem written by Homer in the 8th century BCE. It describes the events of the Trojan War, specifically the 10-year siege of Troy by a coalition of Greek forces led by Agamemnon. The epic poem is set against the background of this conflict and tells of Achilles’ anger over his perceived lack of recognition by Agamemnon. The hero of The Iliad is Achilles, who is described as being the greatest warrior in all Greece and having the highest regard for his own honor and glory. He has a reputation for being fierce and ruthless in battle, but also for being fiercely loyal to his friends and allies. He is driven by his need for revenge against Agamemnon, who had insulted him by taking away his war prize Briseis from him after he had won it from her father’s kingdom. Achilles’ role as a tragic hero has been recognized since ancient times, with several interpretations having been proposed throughout history. One interpretation sees him as an unjustly wronged man whose hubris leads him down a tragic path that ends with his death at Troy. Another sees him as a symbol of the heroic ideal: brave, loyal, courageous.