Iliad of Homer, by Homer -The Iliad is the ultimate epic of war and heroes. The Trojan War has been raging for ten years, with the Greeks besieging the city of Troy in retaliation for the kidnapping of Helen. The greatest of the Greek heroes, Achilles, is locked in a battle of wills with war-leader Agamemnon, and refuses to fight. Trojan hero Hector wants nothing more than to protect his city. Without Achilles, the Greeks face imminent defeat. Can he be coaxed back into battle against Hector? Dating back to the eighth century BC, The Iliad is one of the earliest surviving works of literature. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to its compelling story, and timeless themes of power, honor, and fate.