Homeric Epithet The IliadTrojan War What is an

Homeric Epithet The Iliad/Trojan War

What is an Epithet? • An epithet is a descriptive word or a phrase that a writer frequently connects to a certain character. • In epic poems such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, it adds description and also helps the poet complete the number of syllables needed for that line of poetry.

swift-footed Achilles

wide-ruling Agamemnon

red-haired Menelaus

Hector, breaker of horses

white-armed Andromache

lovely-haired Helen

great-hearted Odysseus

wide-seeing Zeus

ox-eyed Hera

gray-eyed Athena

silver-footed Thetis

long-haired strong-greaved Achaeans bronzecloaked Achaeans = “Greeks”

stallion-breaking Trojans

Find-an-Epithet! • Working with your expert group, find as many epithets as you can in the passage “Hector Meets Andromache. ” • You can highlight/underline your findings.

Your Turn! • Create your own epic epithets, following the Homeric model. • You will create 3 epithets: – One for yourself – One for a family member – One for a pet OR a friend – N. B. : Epithets cannot be hurtful or inappropriate. Stay classy! (Mrs. Sellers is the final authority on this issue. ) • Your epithets can be single words, phrases, or hyphenated words. • Each epithet should be illustated on a 1/3 sheet of construction paper.