A 6th century Athenian plain black figure vase.

A 6th century Corinthian vase with animal and hunting motifs.

A 6th century Corinthian perfume decanter with fantastic creatures.

A second century AD copy of the Iliad

Click to hear the first lines of the Iliad read in ancient Greek.

Scenes from Homer's Iliad represented on Classical Vases

The abduction of Helen. The act of hubris that started it all.

Ajax and Achilles, outfitted in full armor, playing a board game during a lull in the fighting. The strongest fighters engaged in head-to-head competition.

Triptolomos visits Achilles.

Achilles, the best of the Acheans.  This fellow is kalos!  The Achilles vase is owned by the Vatican and has Achilles on one side and Briseis on the other.

The embassy visits the tent of Achilles.

Briseis being led away from Achilles' encampment

The famous Francoise Vase.  Scenes from the Iliad are laid out in cartoon strip fashion.  The vase was badly damaged by a madman who attacked it with a blunt weapon.

Achilles binding the wound of Patrocles.  Notice that Patrocles fears he might faint at the sight of his own blood. What a nurturing guy, that Achilles!

Athena receiving the armor of Achilles from Hephaestus. The artist finessed depicting the imagery on the shield.

Achilles crouching behind a tree.

Achilles and Hector engaged in combat.

Achilles dragging the corpse of Hector around the walls of Troy. Again, the shield is represented by an abstract portrayal of the "fleet-footedness" of Achilles.  No help here.

Priam paying a visit to Achilles to reclaim the corpse of Hector.

Priam kissing the hand of Achilles. How low can you go!

Achilles slaying the Amazon queen, Penthesalusa. Inflamed by her excellence, he ravished her after he killed her.

The wooden horse with Achean warriors peering out.

The seizure of Cassandra.

Another version of the taking of Cassandra by Ajax. In the late period, mural paintings were transferred to pottery.

The slaughter of Priam on his altar by Neoptolomos, the son of Achilles.