Book 1

The first book of the Iliad was an interesting deviation from most of our reading materials. The main difference lies in the fact that this is not a creationist myth, but instead an epic poem told about the conquest of Troy via the poet Homer. The Iliad serves as a back story for the later poem, The Oddessy, which switches the focus from Archilles and Agamenmon to Odysseus.

In the First book of the Iliad, the main characters and background is established, via a type of prologue to the main action of the Iliad. Agamenmon is asked by a priest to return his daughter, and when he refuses, Apollo punishes the Greeks by sending down a plague upon his people. When Agamenmon finally relents and surrenders his prize to her father, he takes Archilles's trophy woman instead, to which Archilles becomes angry and wrathful; pulling back from the conflict that Agamenmon so desires to be fought.

Overall, this story has played an integral role in all societies since it's recording, and still holds up as a riveting tale today.