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Greek epic poem by Homer; widely considered the first work in Western literature. Tells the story of a small period of time during the Trojan War, focusing mainly on the character Achilles.

The original Greek version was spoken in rhythm to a lyre by a traveling musician-writer known as a rhapsode, not unlike a modern rapper. In fact, the term rapper comes from the word rhapsode.

There are many English translations, many of which are in the form of prose rather than poetry.

It is a very slow-moving story, regardless of translation, mostly because half of it is spent shouting out the names of hundreds of different Greeks and Trojans who died during the war, due to the fact that it would have been recited for Greek aristocrats who believed they had ancestry from that period.
Student 1: My English teacher's making me read the Iliad.
Student 2: Bummer, dude!

Homer: Thus ended Erophobus of Lesbos. Holla!
Greek Nobleman: Dude! He was totally my great-great-uncle!
Iliad by ebolamunkee October 2, 2006
Related Words
Iliad ilia iliana Ilian illadelph Ilwad iLady Iliane ilianna Iliangel
The most epic story ever! The Iliad means "A poem about Illium(troy)". It was sung by the legendary greek poet, Homer. It was crafted in dectylic hexameter, would have been performed to the music of the lyre. The Illiad has it all, love, hate, trust, betrayal, sex, chastity, mercy, wrath, gentleness, and violence. It truly is everything you could want from a story(except brevity) wrapped up into one package.
The Iliad is all around great! I hope they make an anime about it.
iliad by INTP July 26, 2009
Greek epic poem by Homer; widely considered the first work in Western literature. Tells the story of a small period of time during the Trojan War, focusing mainly on the character Achilles.

The original Greek version was spoken in rhythm to a lyre by a traveling musician-writer known as a rhapsode, not unlike a modern rapper. In fact, the term rapper comes from the word rhapsode.

There are many English translations, many of which are in the form of prose rather than poetry.

It is a very slow-moving story, regardless of translation, mostly because half of it is spent shouting out the names of hundreds of different Greeks and Trojans who died during the war.
Student 1: My English teacher's making me read the Iliad.
Student 2: Bummer, dude!

Homer: Thus ended Erophobus of Lesbos. Holla!
Greek Nobleman: Dude! He totally quoth the name of my great-great uncle!
iliad by ebolamunkee September 22, 2008
some book some guy wrote that he thinks is a poem. Damnit its not a poem you idiots! it doesnt even rhyme. maybe he called it a poem so he could sound smart or something like that. oh well. the only cool part in that book was when everyone was kicking the son of some guy's ass.
I read the iliad on sparknotes.
Iliad by jeremy the c May 19, 2004
stupid excuse for a piece of literature. why are we even made to study this useless piece of crap? it's a waste of time.
our topic for english class is the Iliad. FUCKIT
iliad by xpressmusic September 27, 2009
A place full of noisy computers which only about 50% work.

Stands for:
Independent
Learning
Information
And
Design
Dont get your phone out in here
Iliad by Eric February 11, 2005