Sung in 24 books of dactylic hexameter, the Iliad unfolds during the final weeks of the ten‑year Trojan War. A quarrel over captive women drives Achilles to abandon the Greek cause, and his wounded pride nearly dooms their expedition. As gods and goddesses take sides, duels, ambushes, and desperate assaults push fighting to the Greek ships. Achilles’ friend Patroclus dies wearing his armor, forcing Achilles back into battle to hunt down Hector, Troy’s great defender. His victory brings no peace, only grief and desecration, until the Trojan king Priam begs for his son’s body and briefly humanizes his implacable enemy.