In a nutshell, the  Iliad was bloody boring  and bloody.  Not a good combination.  Was it really necessary for Homer to name every single person in the Trojan and Achaean army?  Where was the editor?

The premise sounds like a sound bite for a great Hollywood movie … yes, I saw Troy.  Even with Brad Pitt in a man-skirt, I still couldn’t get through it.  The only movie I’ve liked less was Wicker Man.

The Greeks and Trojans are thrown into a bloodthirsty war when Helen of Troy - daughter of Greek King Menelaus - elopes with Paris, son of the Trojan King Priam.  The war comes complete with two action heroes Greek hero Achilles and the Trojan hero Hector, son of King Priam. (think Bruce Willis in Die Hard and Sylvester Stallone in Rambo) Unfortunately, the action heroes are at the mercy of the inhuman gods who enjoy watching the death and destruction from Mount Olympus for no other reason than to relieve their eternal boredom. 

If you thought reading the Iliad was tough, imagine discusing it during class. Try saying Agamemnon, Patroclus, Idomeneus, Calchas five times fast. Then try saying rubber baby buggy bumber. Now tell me which one is easier. I did the happy dance when Agamenmnon died. Don’t think I’m heartless but this did happen several thousand years ago and his death meant not having to say his name in calss anymore. 

Just so you don’t think that I have it out for Homer, I am a fan of the Odyssey and its Hollywood movie, O Brother, Where Art Thou?