The Iliad Quotes

Find the perfect quote to float your boat. Shmoop breaks down key quotations from The Iliad.

Fate and Free Will Quotes

and its devastation, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians, hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting of do...

Pride Quotes

(Agamemnon:) Still I am willing to give her back, if such is the best way. I myself desire that my people be safe, not perish. Find me then some prize that shall be my own, lest I only among the Ar...

Mortality Quotes

Thereafter beginning from the left he poured drinks for the other gods, dipping up from the mixing bowl the sweet nectar. But among the blessed immortals uncontrollable laughter went up as they saw...

Competition Quotes

(Agamemnon:) Forever quarreling is dear to your heart, and wars and battles; and if you are very strong indeed, that is a god's gift. (1.177-178)

Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

Now as he came back the king spun another entangling treachery; for choosing the bravest men in wide Lykia he laid a trap, but these men never came home thereafter since all of them were killed by...

Friendship Quotes

These two terrified and in awe of the king stood waiting quietly, and did not speak a word at all nor question him. But he knew the whole matter in his own heart, and spoke first: "Welcome, heralds...

Love Quotes

(Helen:) Strange divinity! Why are you still so stubborn to beguile me? Will you carry me further yet somewhere among cities fairly settled? […] Go yourself and sit beside him, abandon the gods'...

Hate Quotes

(Achilleus:) You wine sack, with a dog's eyes, with a deer's heart. Never once have you taken courage in your heart to arm with your people for battle, or go into ambuscade with the best of the Ach...

Warfare Quotes

Meriones in turn killed Phereklos, son of Harmonides, the smith, who understood how to make with his hand all intricate things, since above all others Pallas Athene had loved him. He it was who had...

Religion Quotes

(Chryses:) Hear me, lord of the silver bow who set your power about Chryse and Killa the sacrosanct, who are lord in strength over Tenedos, Smintheus, if ever it pleased your heart that I built you...