The Iliad

The Iliad is an epic Greek poem written by philosopher Homer, and is considered one of the oldest pieces of western literature still in existence. The story takes place during the last weeks of the ten year Trojan War, with a focus on the quarrels between King Agamemnon and the legendary warrior Achilles. However, this tale's most famous scene is when the Greek's give a gift to the Trojans of a large wooden horse, but one that is filled with soldiers, that allows the Greeks to infiltrate the high walls of the city of Troy. Many Scholars believe the Iliad was originally composed in an oral tradition, intended to be heard, not read, making this epic classic a must have for audiobook listeners!

Homer is the name ascribed by the ancient Greeks to the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems which are the central works of ancient Greek literature. Regarded as the first, and best, of the epic poets, he is attributed with writing the first known literature of Europe. A widespread theory says that he was a blind bard from Ionia, or present-day Turkey. Current scholarship suggests that the Homeric poems are legends, and some suggest they had multiple authors. Scholars do not know his definite birth and death dates, but some speculate his writings go as far back as 850 BCE or later.