Module manager: Dr Elizabeth Pender
Email: e.e.pender@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Homer’s Iliad is an epic story of war, with themes of heroism, revenge, love, grief and human suffering. The Iliad is the origin story of the ancient Greeks, forging the shared identity of all later Greek civilisations and cultures. The poem is the first work of the entire Western literary tradition. It was revered throughout antiquity and stands today as a pre-eminent cultural and literary monument, its greatness and grandeur recognised by readers across the globe. The Iliad’s unparalleled influence on poets and artists continues to this day. Composed around the 8th century BCE in Ancient Greece before the technology of writing had developed, the poem was crafted through the lost art of oral performance. The 24 books of the epic are set in the climactic months of the Trojan War. Switching between divine and human events, the narrative presents the action on the battlefield, at the Greek ships and in the heart of the besieged city, as the famous tragedies of Achilles, Hector and Helen of Troy unfold. The narrator is the eye-witness of the pity of war, turning unflinching attention to the primal violence and sheer fragility of human life. But the poem also insists on the beauty and harmony of continuing human life, expressed in the rhythms of agricultural time and the dignity of ancient religious ritual. Suitable for Level 2 students with a basic knowledge of Classical literature and mythology; text taught in English translation. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The aims and objectives of the module
The aims of the module are to allow the student the opportunity to read Homer’s Iliad in depth and as a whole. They will explore literary themes such as characterisation, the role of the gods and the depiction of human struggle and suffering, through discussions in lectures and seminars, and through independent study. This module is designed to allow students to understand the literary conventions of Greek epic through close reading of the poem and discussion in seminars. Reading and discussing sections of the text and key thematic topics will allow students to gain insight into the poetic, philosophical, and cultural dimensions of this poem, its influence on Greek thought, and its enduring beauty across centuries.
How the learning activities are designed to achieve these aims and objectives.
Lectures in semester 1 will take a ‘book-by-book’ approach, introducing students to the main plotlines and key narrative techniques. Lectures in semester 2 will take a thematic approach, delving more deeply into particular poetic, philosophical, and cultural aspects, such as the portrayal of divine intervention or warrior biographies. In semester 1 seminars will focus on more complex aspects of Homeric epic conventions, including literary devices such as the narrator’s voice, formulaic composition, and textual self-reflexivity. In semester 2 the seminar debates will focus more on cultural issues, such as the portrayal of gender roles, leadership, the ‘modesty conventions’ set out for female characters, and other religious and social norms of the ‘thought-world’ of the poem.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Identify the conventions and practices of ancient Greek epic poetry though close textual analysis.
2. Analyse and debate the main schools of thought on Homer, situating them within the extensive scholarship on Homer.
3. Analyse major issues relating to Homer's Iliad, from literary, cultural, socio-political, and ancient religious / philosophical perspectives, informed by knowledge gained from a set reading list;
4. Demonstrate a sophisticated evaluation of Homer’s Iliad as a whole.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Find, organise and share information, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources used and the ideas that they help generate.
6. Generate ideas, demonstrating imaginative thinking, and the ability to think beyond expected or familiar ideas.
7. Communicate effectively to articulate an argument, supported by relevant evidence and adhering to academic convention.
8. Develop a self-belief in own ability, self-initiating activity, learning through practice, and adopting effective learning strategies to overcome obstacles.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 | 1 | 18 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 177 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback and monitoring of student progress is achieved through the regular seminars. Module leader feedback is offered on commentary and essay plans in advance of assessment weeks.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Literary Commentary | 50 |
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 03/03/2025
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