in-depth explanation, essay, and test prep for Homer's The Iliad, one of the earliest and most influential works of the Western canon. As an epic poem set during the Trojan War, The Iliad serves as both a mythological tale and a historical text, providing invaluable insight into the lives of the ancient Greeks. Moreover, the text established a unified identity for the Greeks and provided literary inspiration throughout the Classical, Hellenistic and Byzantine periods, as well as the European Renaissance. This Bright Notes Study Guide explores the context and history of Homer's classic work, helping students to thoroughly explore the reasons it has stood the literary test of time. Each Bright Notes Study Guide contains: - Introductions to the Author and the Work - Character Summaries - Plot Guides - Section and Chapter Overviews - Test Essay and Study Q&As The Bright Notes Study Guide series offers an in-depth tour of more than 275 classic works of literature, exploring characters, critical commentary, historical background, plots, and themes. This set of study guides encourages readers to dig deeper in their understanding by including essay questions and answers as well as topics for further research.