Homer and Classical Epic

What this page covers

This unit brings together study material on three epic poems: the Iliad, the Odyssey and the Aeneid. Most of it is mind maps, with quizzes, flashcard decks, notes, a few flowcharts and slide sets alongside. Several resources mention A-level Classical Civilisation, GCSE Classical Civilisation, A-level Classics and A-level Latin, so the page suits students preparing for those courses as well as university students.

Where to start

If the Iliad is your text, begin with the mind map The Iliad. It sets out themes such as choice, nostos versus kleos, authority and anger. Then move to the book-by-book quizzes, such as The Iliad: Book V Quiz, The Iliad: Book VI Quiz and The Iliad: Book VII Quiz. They ask who does what and why, so they show quickly whether you have followed the plot.

For the Aeneid, open The Aeneid, Book 1 mind map. It covers Juno's storm, the fleet and Aeneas reaching Libya. The Aeneid Quotes flashcard deck then groups quotations under heroism, with line references.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read a mind map for a book or theme first, so you have the outline.
2. Take the matching quiz without looking back.
3. Note the questions you missed and return to the map or notes for those points.
4. Use flashcards to fix names, epithets and quotations.

The Odyssey has its own mix: maps such as Themes in the Odyssey, short notes on episodes like Calypso's home and Poseidon's storm, and character charts. Theme maps such as Theme of: Fate + Free Will and (Homeric) Heroism help when you move from plot to essay arguments.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand Literary Periods and Traditions within Literature. It focuses on classical epic, so it works well beside other period and tradition units.

Choose one poem and one book, try a quiz, and then make a few flashcards of your own from the points you missed.