The Iliad of Homer

Written in seventh or eighth century B.C. Greece, The Iliad is considered the earliest work of western literature. Covering the events of the siege of Troy, the work portrays both humans and gods locked in a combat. The valour and bravery of the soldiers and the driving passion of familial love and patriotism are stunningly depicted. The finality of fate is a major theme: neither men nor the gods can fight against it.