The document provides an overview of the epic poem The Iliad by Homer, including: 1) Key elements of the epic genre that Homer used such as an invocation to the muses, stories that begin in medias res, catalogs of participants, and frequent use of epithets. 2) The structure of the epic hero cycle that The Iliad follows including the hero facing a quest and challenges to prove themselves. 3) Background on the events that preceded the start of The Iliad such as Paris taking Helen to Troy starting the war between Greeks and Trojans. 4) Discussion topics about what defines a hero, the role of women, and themes in The Iliad like the glory of war, hub