In this episode of What a Classic!, we dive into the intense and dramatic events of Book 4 of Homer’s Iliad. Just as a glimmer of peace seemed possible between the Greeks and Trojans, the gods have other plans. A fragile truce is shattered by a single, deadly arrow—one that sets the stage for a brutal renewal of hostilities. 

We’ll explore how divine intervention reignites the battle, with Hera’s cunning manipulations and the unexpected actions of Pandarus breaking the ceasefire. As the war explodes back into full fury, we’ll see Menelaus wounded, Agamemnon rallying his commanders, and a series of bloody confrontations that will change the tide of the war. 

With the lives of heroes and the fate of entire armies hanging in the balance, this episode examines the power of oaths, the unpredictability of divine influence, and the devastating consequences of war. 

Join me as we journey through one of the Iliad’s most pivotal moments, where the gods pull the strings, and the warriors on both sides fight not just for glory, but for survival.