Barbara Zigman’s Kindle Notes & Highlights for The Iliad

The term "Achaeans" refers to a group of ancient Greek people who are prominently featured in the Iliad, where Homer uses their name to represent all of the Greeks. Historically, they were one of the major tribes of ancient Greece and are traditionally associated with the region of Achaea in the northern Peloponnese. Archaeologically, the Achaeans are strongly linked to the Mycenaeans of the Late Bronze Age.

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Zeus was the king of the gods, the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning, and a ruler of Mount Olympus. Zeus was the king of the gods, the god of the sky, thunder, and lightning, and a ruler of Mount Olympus. He was also associated with weather, law, order, justice, and hospitality. King of the gods: As the leader of the Olympian gods, Zeus ruled over both mortals and other deities. God of the sky and weather: He controlled the skies, and was known as the sender of thunder, lightning, and storms. God of justice and law: Zeus was also the protector of law and order, and was believed to punish those who lied or broke promises. God of hospitality: He was considered the god of hospitality, representing the protection of guests. Other associations: He was also linked to kingship and the household. eities. God of the sky and weather: He controlled the skies, and was known as the sender of thunder, lightning, and storms. God of justice and law: Zeus was also the protector of law and order, and was believed to punish those who lied or broke promises. God of hospitality: He was considered the god of hospitality, representing the protection of guests. Other associations: He was also linked to kingship and the household.

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Goddess: Leto was a Titan goddess of motherhood, daughter of Zeus and the mother of twins Apollo and Artemis.

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Agamemnon was the legendary king of Mycenae and the commander of the Greek forces in the Trojan War, as famously depicted in Homer's Iliad. He was the brother of Menelaus and the husband of Clytemnestra, and his story is one of leadership, pride, and tragedy. His arrogance led to a major conflict with the hero Achilles and ultimately contributed to his own murder upon his return from Troy. Key aspects of Agamemnon's story Role in the Trojan War: As the supreme commander, he united the Greek city-states against Troy. His leadership was crucial, though his arrogance caused significant problems, most notably a feud with Achilles that nearly cost the Greeks the war. Family and lineage: He was the son of Atreus and the brother of Menelaus, whose wife Helen was the cause of the Trojan War. He was married to Clytemnestra and was the father of several children, including Iphigenia, Orestes, and Electra. Tragic flaw: His fatal flaw was hubris, or excessive pride. This led him to offend the goddess Artemis, resulting in a delay of the Greek fleet, and to insult Achilles, causing the hero to withdraw from battle. Death: Upon his return from the Trojan War, Agamemnon was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. Clytemnestra was motivated by her husband's sacrifice of their daughter Iphigenia and his bringing home a concubine, Cassandra. Legacy: Agamemnon's story is a central part of Greek mythology, explored in epic poetry and drama. The "Mask of Agamemnon," an ancient funerary mask, is a famous archaeological artifact associated with him.

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Chryses was a Trojan priest of Apollo during the Trojan War, known for his role in the opening events of Homer's Iliad. When his daughter, Chryseis, was taken as a war prize by Agamemnon, Chryses attempted to ransom her, but Agamemnon refused. In response, Chryses prayed to Apollo, who sent a plague upon the Greek army, forcing Agamemnon to return Chryseis to end the plague. Priest of Apollo: Chryses was a priest of the god Apollo in the city of Chryse, near Troy. Daughter's capture: During the Trojan War, his daughter, Chryseis (whose real name was Astynome), was captured by the Achaean forces and awarded to Agamemnon as a war prize. Attempted ransom: Chryses went to the Achaean camp to ransom his daughter, offering a large sum of treasure, but Agamemnon contemptuously refused. Apollo's plague: Angered by the disrespect shown to his priest, Apollo sent a devastating plague upon the Greek army. Resolution: The Greek seer Calchas revealed that the plague would only end if Chryseis was returned to her father. Agamemnon was forced to comply, and Chryseis was returned, which ended the plague. This event led to a major feud between Agamemnon and Achilles, as Agamemnon took Briseis from Achilles to compensate for his loss.

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Chryseis was a Trojan woman, the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo, who was captured by the Achaeans during the Trojan War. Her name means "daughter of Chryses". When her father tried to ransom her, Agamemnon refused, leading Apollo to send a plague upon the Greek army. To end the plague, Agamemnon was forced to return Chryseis, which in turn led him to take Briseis from Achilles, sparking a major conflict. Family and origin: Chryseis was the daughter of Chryses, a priest of Apollo who served the god in the city of Thebe. Her real name was later given as Astynome. Capture: During the Trojan War, her city was sacked by the Achaeans, and she was taken as a war prize. Agamemnon claimed her as his own. The plague: Her father, Chryses, prayed to Apollo for his daughter's return after Agamemnon refused his ransom. Apollo responded by sending a devastating plague upon the Achaean army. Resolution: The Achaeans, decimated by the plague, were advised by the seer Calchas that the only way to end it was to return Chryseis to her father. Agamemnon reluctantly agreed, but to compensate himself, he took Briseis from Achilles, which led to Achilles withdrawing from the war. Return: Odysseus was sent to return Chryseis to her father, ending the plague.

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Menelaus was the king of Sparta and the husband of Helen, whose abduction by the Trojan prince Paris sparked the Trojan War. He was the brother of Agamemnon and, after Paris took Helen, he rallied the Greek kings to sail to Troy to retrieve her. After the war, his journey home with Helen was long and perilous, and he eventually returned to Sparta to rule. Key aspects of Menelaus's story Marriage to Helen: Menelaus was chosen from a host of suitors to marry Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. The abduction of Helen: Paris of Troy, after being promised Helen by Aphrodite, either abducted or eloped with her, leading Menelaus to seek revenge. The Trojan War: Menelaus, with his brother Agamemnon, led the Greek forces in the ten-year siege of Troy to get Helen back. Confrontation with Paris: During the war, Menelaus fought Paris in a duel, but Paris was saved by the goddess Aphrodite. Return home: After the fall of Troy, Menelaus and Helen's journey home was fraught with difficulty, including a stop in Egypt where he was aided by the sea-god Proteus. Later life: He and Helen eventually returned to Sparta and ruled for many years.

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Danaans

Danaans" can refer to a name for ancient Greeks, particularly in the context of Homer's Iliad, where it's used synonymously with Achaeans and Argives.

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Chryses

Chryses was a Trojan priest of Apollo during the Trojan War, known for his role in the opening events of Homer's Iliad. When his daughter, Chryseis, was taken as a war prize by Agamemnon, Chryses attempted to ransom her, but Agamemnon refused. In response, Chryses prayed to Apollo, who sent a plague upon the Greek army, forcing Agamemnon to return Chryseis to end the plague. Priest of Apollo: Chryses was a priest of the god Apollo in the city of Chryse, near Troy. Daughter's capture: During the Trojan War, his daughter, Chryseis (whose real name was Astynome), was captured by the Achaean forces and awarded to Agamemnon as a war prize. Attempted ransom: Chryses went to the Achaean camp to ransom his daughter, offering a large sum of treasure, but Agamemnon contemptuously refused. Apollo's plague: Angered by the disrespect shown to his priest, Apollo sent a devastating plague upon the Greek army. Resolution: The Greek seer Calchas revealed that the plague would only end if Chryseis was returned to her father. Agamemnon was forced to comply, and Chryseis was returned, which ended the plague. This event led to a major feud between Agamemnon and Achilles, as Agamemnon took Briseis from Achilles to compensate for his loss.