This book offers a clear and stimulating introduction to Homer's Iliad, the greatest poem of Western culture. It discusses central aspects of the work (including the tradition of oral poetry, the style and structure of the epic, and its depiction of the gods, heroism, war, and gender roles) and guides the reader in understanding the skill and profundity of Homer's achievement. This introduction is ideal for undergraduates and students in the upper forms of schools, but it requires no knowledge of ancient Greek and is intended for all readers interested in Homer.