TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. I Introduction to 1 Two Lasting Epics 1 The Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology 3 Godlike Powers and Human Behaviors 4 Major Gods and Goddesses 5 Soothsayers and 7 A Guide to Major Characters 9

Main Characters in the 9 Main Greek Characters 9 Main Trojan Characters 10 Main Characters in the 11 Gods, Goddesses, and Other Supernatural Characters 13 Before the Iliad 15 How the Began: The of Discord 15 The Queen’s Dream 16 The Quarrel of the Goddesses 18 The Judgment of 20 Helen of Troy 22 The League Against Troy 24 Reluctant 25 The Hero 28 Other Greek Heroes 31 The Trojan War Begins 32 How They Fought 33 The Invocation of the Muse 36 Selections from the Iliad 39 The Wrath of Achilles 39 The Combat Between Menelaus and Paris 47 How Bade Farewell to Andromache 54 The Battle on the Plain 59 The Ambassadors to Achilles 62 The Wounding of Hector and the Battle at the Ships 68 How Patroclus Went into Battle 74 The Rousing of Achilles 78 The Making of the Arms 82 How Achilles Avenged the Death of Patroclus 87 Priam’s Appeal to Achilles 96 After the Iliad 102 The Death of Achilles 102 The Wooden Horse 105 The Fall of Troy 109 Selections from the Odyssey 111 A Visit from a Goddess 111 Telemachus Addresses the Suitors 119 Telemachus Prepares for a Voyage 126 Telemachus Visits Nestor at Pylos 130 Telemachus in Sparta 137 A Mother Fears for Her Son 143 Odysseus and Calypso 147 Odysseus and Nausicaa 155 Odysseus and the Phaeacians 163 Odysseus Begins His Story: The Cyclops 175 Odysseus Continues His Story: the Enchantress 186 Odysseus Continues His Story: Of the Sirens and Other Wonders 196 Odysseus Returns to Ithaca 204 Odysseus and the Swineherd 211 Odysseus and Telemachus 215 The Beggar in the House of Odysseus 222 Penelope and the Stranger 230 The Trial of the Bow and the Revenge of Odysseus 243 Husband and Wife Together 256 Father and Son 261 Pronunciation Guide 268