A list of proper names of scenes or sections in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
This is not a list of scenes of any particular type. This is a list of names of scenes or sections.
In several cases, these names have taken on a more generic meaning: They are sometimes used as literary terms to describe a generic type of scene, or a type of narrative event, in many different works beyond Homer.
The painting on the right, titled Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida, depicts the scene known as "Dios Apate" or "The Deception of Zeus" from Book 14 of the Homer's Iliad. (James Barry, 1773, City Art Galleries, Sheffield.)
Scenes in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey with proper names
[edit]| Name | Text | Greek Name | Alternate Names | Scene Description | Origin of Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nekyia[1] | Odyssey Book 11 |
Νέκυια | Summoning of the Dead | Odysseus journeys to the underworld, consulting the prophet Tiresias and conversing with shades like Agamemnon, Achilles, and his mother Anticleia.[2] | From νέκυς (corpse) or νεκρός (dead) |
| Teichoscopy[3] | Iliad Book 3 |
Τειχοσκοπία | Viewing from the Wall, Teichoscopia |
Priam and other Trojan elders stand on the city walls, observing the Greek army. Helen identifies key Greek heroes (e.g., Agamemnon, Odysseus) for Priam.[4] | From τεῖχος (wall) and σκοπέω (to view) |
| Doloneia[5] | Iliad Book 10 |
Δολώνεια | The Affair of Dolon | A night raid where Odysseus and Diomedes capture and kill the Trojan spy Dolon, who reveals Trojan plans. The Greeks then slaughter Thracian allies led by Rhesus.[6] | Named after Dolon (Δόλων), the main Trojan character in the scene |
| Aristeia of Diomedes | Iliad Book 5 |
Διομήδους Ἀριστεία | The Excellence of Diomedes | Diomedes, inspired by Athena, dominates the battlefield, wounding the gods Aphrodite and Ares, and killing numerous Trojans in a heroic rampage.[6] | aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif |
| Aristeia of Agamemnon | Iliad Book 11 |
Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀριστεία | The Excellence of Agamemnon | Agamemnon leads a ferocious assault on the Trojans, slaying many before being wounded. The episode highlights his leadership and martial skill.[6] | aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif |
| Aristeia of Hector | Iliad Books 11-12, 15-16 |
Ἕκτορος Ἀριστεία | The Excellence of Hector | Hector leads the Trojan counterattack, breaching the Greek wall and threatening their ships, driven by Zeus’ favor. His heroism peaks before his eventual downfall.[6] | aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif |
| Telemachy[7] | Odyssey Books 1-4 |
Τηλεμάχεια | The Affairs of Telemachus | Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, journeys to Pylos and Sparta to seek news of his father, guided by Athena. He meets Nestor and Menelaus. | Named after Telemachus (Τηλέμαχος) |
| Mnesterophonia[8] | Odyssey Book 22 |
Μνηστηροφονία | Slaughter of the Suitors | Odysseus, with Telemachus, kills the suitors who have plagued his household, in a brutal and climactic battle. | From μνηστῆρες (suitors) and φονία (slaughter) |
| Apologoi[9] or Apologue | Odyssey Books 9-12 |
Ἀπόλογοι | Tales | Odysseus narrates his adventures to the Phaeacians, including encounters with the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis.[10] | From ἀπολογέομαι (to narrate or recount) |
| Patrocleia | Iliad Book 16 |
Πατρόκλεια | The Affair of Patroclus | Patroclus, wearing Achilles’ armor, leads the Myrmidons into battle, drives back the Trojans, but is killed by Hector.[6] | Named after Patroclus (Πάτροκλος) |
| Dios Apate[6] | Iliad Book 14 |
Διὸς Ἀπάτη | The Deception of Zeus | Hera seduces Zeus to distract him, allowing Poseidon to aid the Greeks. The scene includes a detailed description of Hera’s preparation and Zeus’ amorous response.[6] | From Διός, the Greek genitive (possessive) form of the name Zeus, and ἀπάτη (deception) |
| Nostos (of Odysseus) |
Odyssey Books 13-24 |
νόστος | Odysseus' return home to Ithaca | The entire second half of the Odyssey describes Odysseus' return home to Ithaca and its consequences. | From νόστος (homecoming) |
| Nostoi (of the shades) |
Odyssey Book 11 |
νόστοι | (Nekyia, Summoning of the Dead) | In a scene within the Nekyia, the shades of various heroes recount their returns home. | From νόστος (homecoming) |
| Cyclopeia | Odyssey Book 9 |
Κυκλωπεία | - | Odysseus and his men encounter and escape the Cyclops named Polyphemus. | From Κύκλωψ (cyclops, a one-eyed or "disc-eyed" giant) |
| Epipolesis[11] | Iliad Book 4 |
Ἐπιπώλησις | inspection | Agamemnon tours his troops. As he encounters each group, he either praises them for valor, or reproaches them for substandard bravery. | From ἐπιπωλέομαι (visit, inspect) and ἐπιπώλησις (visit, inspection) |
| Hoplopoiia[12] | Iliad Book 18 |
Ὁπλοποιία | - | Hephaestus forges an intricately decorated shield for Achilles. | From ὁπλοποιέω[13] (make weapons) |
| Catalog of Ships | Iliad Book 2 |
νεῶν κατάλογος | - | Book 2 of the Iliad gives the names of the city and the leaders of each contingent of Greeks, and the number of ships required to transport the men. A similar but smaller section in book 2 lists allies to the Trojans. | From κατάλογος (catalog, list) and νεῶν, the genitive (possesive) plural form of ναῦς (ship) |
| Phaeacian Games | Odyssey Book 8 |
- | - | Odysseus lands on the island of the Phaeacians, who stage a series of athletic contests so that Odysseus can spread stories about the Phaeacians' athletic prowess. | - |
| Funeral games for Patroclus | Iliad Book 23 |
Ἆθλα ἐπί Πατρόκλῳ | - | Achilles organizes a series of athletic competitions to honor Patroclus, the fallen Greek hero. | From ἆθλον (game, contest) and Patroclus (Πάτροκλος) |
Names of types of scenes Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
[edit]These names refer generically to several scenes, or to a type of scene, in the Iliad or Odyssey or elsewhere in literature, but do not necessarily point implicitly to any specific scene in Homer's work. These may overlap with the terms above (e.g., ekphrasis and Hoplopoiia).
| Name | Example Scene(s) | Greek Name | Alternate Names | Scene Description | Origin of Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ekphrasis | Odyssey Book 18 |
ἔκφρaσiς | - | Vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art, either real or imagined. | From ἐκφράζειν (proclaim or call an inanimate object by name) and ἔκφρaσiς (description) |
| anagnorisis | Odyssey Books 16, 19, 23 |
ἀναγνώρισις | - | Moment when a character makes a critical discovery, such as learning a character's true identity. | From ἀναγιγνώσκω (know again or recognize) and ἀναγνώρισις (recognition) |
| aristeia | Iliad (many such scenes) |
ἀριστεία | - | Scene where a hero in battle has his finest moments. | From ἀριστεία (excellence) |
| xenia | Iliad, Odyssey (many scenes) |
ξενία | - | Scene depicting "guest-friendship" or "ritualized friendship", that is, institutionalized relationship rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity. | From ξενία (hospitality) |
| theomachy | Iliad Books 20,21 |
θεομαχία | theomachia | In Iliad book 20, Zeus grants the gods permission to intervene in the Trojan War. In book 21 there is actual fighting between Hera and Artemis. | From θέος (god) and μάχη (battle, quarrel) |
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Rieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959) p. 158-9
- ^ M. I. Finley, The World of Odysseus (Penguin 1967) p. 164
- ^ "Religious Cults Associated with the Amazons: Chapter I: The Amazons in Greek Legend". Internet Sacred Text Archive. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ Toohey, Peter. Reading Epic: An Introduction to Ancient Narratives. New York: Routledge, 1992.
- ^ Tsagalis, Christos C., The Homeric Doloneia: Evolution and Shaping of Iliad 10 (Oxford University Press 2024)
- ^ a b c d e f g Homer (1990). The Iliad.
- ^ Willcock, Malcolm L. A Companion to The Iliad: Based on the Translation by Richard Lattimore (Phoenix Books 1976) p. 32
- ^ Cairns, Douglas Defining Greek Narrative (Edinburgh University Press 2014) p. 164
- ^ Most, Glenn W. "The Structure and Function of Odysseus' Apologoi", 'Transactions of the American Philological Association', 1989, vol. 119, pp. 15–16
- ^ Rieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959)
- ^ "Homeric Conversation: Chapter 4. Single Speeches and Variations on the Battlefield". Center For Hellenic Studies. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
- ^ "LSJ ὁπλοποιία". LSJ - Ancient Greek Dictionaries. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
- ^ "LSJ ὁπλοποιέω". LSJ - Ancient Greek Dictionaries. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
