List of Homeric scenes with proper names

A list of proper names of scenes or sections in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

This is not a list of scenes of any particular type. This is a list of names of scenes or sections.

In several cases, these names have taken on a more generic meaning: They are sometimes used as literary terms to describe a generic type of scene, or a type of narrative event, in many different works beyond Homer.

The painting on the right, titled Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida, depicts the scene known as "Dios Apate" or "The Deception of Zeus" from Book 14 of the Iliad. (James Barry, 1773, City Art Galleries, Sheffield.)

Scenes in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey with proper names Name Text Greek Name Alternate Names Scene Description Origin of Name NekyiaRieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959) p. 158-9 OdysseyBook 11 Νέκυια Summoning of the Dead Odysseus journeys to the underworld, consulting the prophet Tiresias and conversing with shades like Agamemnon, Achilles, and his mother Anticleia.M. I. Finley, The World of Odysseus (Penguin 1967) p. 164 From νέκυς (corpse) or νεκρός (dead) Teichoscopy IliadBook 3 Τειχοσκοπία Viewing from the Wall,Teichoscopia Priam and other Trojan elders stand on the city walls, observing the Greek army. Helen identifies key Greek heroes (e.g., Agamemnon, Odysseus) for Priam.Toohey, Peter. Reading Epic: An Introduction to Ancient Narratives. New York: Routledge, 1992. From τεῖχος (wall) and σκοπέω (to view) DoloneiaTsagalis, Christos C., The Homeric Doloneia: Evolution and Shaping of Iliad 10 (Oxford University Press 2024) IliadBook 10 Δολώνεια The Affair of Dolon A night raid where Odysseus and Diomedes capture and kill the Trojan spy Dolon, who reveals Trojan plans. The Greeks then slaughter Thracian allies led by Rhesus. Named after Dolon (Δόλων), the main Trojan character in the scene Aristeia of Diomedes IliadBook 5 Διομήδους Ἀριστεία The Excellence of Diomedes Diomedes, inspired by Athena, dominates the battlefield, wounding the gods Aphrodite and Ares, and killing numerous Trojans in a heroic rampage. aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif Aristeia of Agamemnon IliadBook 11 Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀριστεία The Excellence of Agamemnon Agamemnon leads a ferocious assault on the Trojans, slaying many before being wounded. The episode highlights his leadership and martial skill. aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif Aristeia of Hector IliadBooks 11-12, 15-16 Ἕκτορος Ἀριστεία The Excellence of Hector Hector leads the Trojan counterattack, breaching the Greek wall and threatening their ships, driven by Zeus’ favor. His heroism peaks before his eventual downfall. aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif TelemachyWillcock, Malcolm M. A Companion to The Iliad: Based on the Translation by Richard Lattimore (Phoenix Books 1976) p. 32 OdysseyBooks 1-4 Τηλεμάχεια The Affairs of Telemachus Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, journeys to Pylos and Sparta to seek news of his father, guided by Athena. He meets Nestor and Menelaus. Named after Telemachus (Τηλέμαχος) MnesterophoniaCairns, Douglas Defining Greek Narrative (Edinburgh University Press 2014) p. 164 OdysseyBook 22 Μνηστηροφονία Slaughter of the Suitors Odysseus, with Telemachus, kills the suitors who have plagued his household, in a brutal and climactic battle. From μνηστῆρες (suitors) and φονία (slaughter) ApologoiMost, Glenn W. "The Structure and Function of Odysseus' Apologoi", 'Transactions of the American Philological Association', 1989, vol. 119, pp. 15–16 or Apologue OdysseyBooks 9-12 Ἀπόλογοι Tales Odysseus narrates his adventures to the Phaeacians, including encounters with the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis.Rieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959) From ἀπολογέομαι (to narrate or recount) Patrocleia IliadBook 16 Πατρόκλεια The Affair of Patroclus Patroclus, wearing Achilles’ armor, leads the Myrmidons into battle, drives back the Trojans, but is killed by Hector. Named after Patroclus (Πάτροκλος) Dios Apate IliadBook 14 Διὸς Ἀπάτη The Deception of Zeus Hera seduces Zeus to distract him, allowing Poseidon to aid the Greeks. The scene includes a detailed description of Hera’s preparation and Zeus’ amorous response. From Διός, the Greek genitive (possessive) form of the name Zeus, and ἀπάτη (deception) Nostos(of Odysseus) OdysseyBooks 13-24 νόστος Odysseus' return home to Ithaca The entire second half of the Odyssey describes Odysseus' return home to Ithaca and its consequences. From νόστος (homecoming) Nostoi(of the shades) OdysseyBook 11 νόστοι (Nekyia, Summoning of the Dead) In a scene within the Nekyia, the shades of various heroes recount their returns home. From νόστος (homecoming) Cyclopeia OdysseyBook 9 Κυκλωπεία - Odysseus and his men encounter and escape the Cyclops named Polyphemus. From Κύκλωψ (cyclops, a one-eyed or "disc-eyed" giant) Epipolesis IliadBook 4 Ἐπιπώλησις inspection Agamemnon tours his troops. As he encounters each group, he either praises them for valor, or reproaches them for substandard bravery. From ἐπιπωλέομαι (visit, inspect) and ἐπιπώλησις (visit, inspection) Hoplopoiia IliadBook 18 Ὁπλοποιία - Hephaestus forges an intricately decorated shield for Achilles. From ὁπλοποιέω (make weapons) Catalog of Ships IliadBook 2 νεῶν κατάλογος - Book 2 of the Iliad gives the names of the city and the leaders of each contingent of Greeks, and the number of ships required to transport the men. A similar but smaller section in book 2 lists allies to the Trojans. From κατάλογος (catalog, list) and νεῶν, the genitive (possesive) plural form of ναῦς (ship) Phaeacian Games OdysseyBook 8 - - Odysseus lands on the island of the Phaeacians, who stage a series of athletic contests so that Odysseus can spread stories about the Phaeacians' athletic prowess. - Funeral games for Patroclus IliadBook 23 Ἆθλα ἐπί Πατρόκλῳ - Achilles organizes a series of athletic competitions to honor Patroclus, the fallen Greek hero. From ἆθλον (game, contest) and Patroclus (Πάτροκλος)

Names of types of scenes in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey These names refer generically to several scenes, or to a type of scene, in the Iliad or Odyssey or elsewhere in literature, but do not necessarily point implicitly to any specific scene in Homer's work. These may overlap with the terms above (e.g., ekphrasis and Hoplopoiia). Name Example Scene(s) Greek Name Alternate Names Scene Description Origin of Name ekphrasis IliadBook 18 (Achilles's shield) ἔκφρaσiς - Vivid, often dramatic, verbal description of a visual work of art, either real or imagined. From ἐκφράζειν (proclaim or call an inanimate object by name) and ἔκφρaσiς (description) anagnorisis OdysseyBooks 16, 19, 23 ἀναγνώρισις - Moment when a character makes a critical discovery, such as learning a character's true identity. From ἀναγιγνώσκω (know again or recognize) and ἀναγνώρισις (recognition) aristeia Iliad(many such scenes) ἀριστεία - Scene where a hero in battle has his finest moments. From ἀριστεία (excellence) xenia Iliad, Odyssey(many scenes) ξενία - Scene depicting "guest-friendship" or "ritualized friendship", that is, institutionalized relationship rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity. From ξενία (hospitality) theomachy IliadBooks 20,21 θεομαχία theomachia In Iliad book 20, Zeus grants the gods permission to intervene in the Trojan War. In book 21 there is actual fighting between Hera and Artemis. From θέος (god) and μάχη (battle, quarrel)

See also Hysminai (Battles) Machai (Wars) Phonoi (Murders) Androktasiai (Manslayings) Hesiod, Theogony

References