The Iliad

The Iliad by Homer is an epic poem that has several heroes. Heroism is the most important aspect of the characters’ lives, giving definition to their actions and their raison d’être. A hero is always of noble birth, strong, intelligent, and a great leader. Another way the reader can differentiate a hero from a mere mortal is by the help that he receives from the gods. The gods intervene on the side of a …

…their intelligence, leadership skills, and glory on the battlefield. Each hero motivates his men in battle and encourages them to fight with great courage to gain honour. Throughout the poem, Hector displays physical prowess, bravery, strength, and glory in battle, which makes him the true hero of the Iliad. Although Odysseus, Nestor, and Diomedes do not display heroic qualities to the same extent that Hector does, they clearly display many characteristics that constitute a hero.