1. THE ILIAD
THE UNREAD BOOKS
BOOKS 5,7,8

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Aims:
To fill in the narrative and thematic gaps between the set books of
the Iliad.
Objectives:
1. Students will review and discuss general themes in the Iliad.
2. Students will predict and discuss the narrative significance of
the books that have not been read through questions.

3. WHAT THEMES HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT SO
FAR?
http://www.haikudeck.com/p/7zHX7fyST6/themes

4. BOOK 5 – THE ANGER OF DIOMEDES
What happened in books 4 and book 6?
1. Athena inspires Diomedes to go on a killing rampage.
2. Why does Athena do this?
3. Athena and Ares agree not to help the Greeks or
Trojans.
4. What does this say about relationships between the
gods?

5. BOOK 5 – THE ANGER OF DIOMEDES
• Diomedes is wounded but Athena cures him.
• What have you noticed about her involvement so far?
• Diomedes wounds Aphrodite on the wrist. Zeus laughs.
• What does this say about the nature of gods and men?
• Apollo and Ares help Hector to attack the Greeks.
• Ares goes on the rampage.

6. BOOK 5 – THE ANGER OF DIOMEDES
• Hera whinges and Zeus sends Athena to stop Ares.
• Diomedes with Athena’s help wounds Ares.
• Zeus berates Ares and Hera but eventually all the gods
make up and go home to relax.
• What does this say about relationships between gods?
• How does this contrast with the mortals after a battle?

7. BOOK 7 – AJAX FIGHTS HECTOR
• Apollo and Athena plan a duel for Hector.
• What roles have Athena and Apollo played so far?
• Ajax wins the right to fight Hector.
• Ajax and Hector ‘draw’ and exchange gifts.
• What Heroic characteristics is Homer portraying?
• The Trojans propose a truce to bury the dead.
• Paris offer to return Helen’s wealth for peace but not her.

8. BOOK 8 – HECTOR TRIUMPHANT
• Zeus tells the gods not to interfere or they will be sent to
Tartarus. They acknowledge his dominance.
• What does this say about the Gods?
• Zeus holds the scales of fate and the Trojans come out on
top. Book 8 Line 69 – 72.
• What does this say about the nature of fate?

9. BOOK 8 – HECTOR TRIUMPHANT
• Hector drives the Greeks back to their ships.
• Why is this an important part of the structure of the story?
• Athena and Hera want to ignore Zeus but are reminded by
Iris of the consequences.
• Who was Iris and what was her role?
• The Trojans surround the ships and Hector prays for
victory.

10. Why do you think these books have been left out
of the set books list?