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.

Scenes in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey with proper names

Name Text Greek Name Alternate Names Scene Description Origin of Name
Nekyia[1] Odyssey
Book 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.[2] From νέκυς (corpse) or νεκρός (dead)
Teichoscopy[3] Iliad
Book 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[4] From τεῖχος (wall) and σκοπέω (to view)
Doloneia[5] Iliad
Book 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.[6] Named after Dolon (Δόλων), the main Trojan character in the scene
Aristeia of Diomedes Iliad
Book 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.[6] aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif
Aristeia of Agamemnon Iliad
Book 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.[6] aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif
Aristeia of Hector Iliad
Books 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.[6] aristeia (ἀριστεία) refers to a hero’s moment of supreme valor, a common Homeric motif
Telemachy[7] Odyssey
Books 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)
Mnesterophonia[8] Odyssey
Book 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)
Apologoi[9] or Apologue Odyssey
Books 9-12		 Ἀπόλογοι Tales Odysseus narrates his adventures to the Phaeacians, including encounters with the Cyclops, Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis.[10] From ἀπολογέομαι (to narrate or recount)
Patrocleia Iliad
Books 16		 Πατρόκλεια The Affair of Patroclus Patroclus, wearing Achilles’ armor, leads the Myrmidons into battle, drives back the Trojans, but is killed by Hector.[6] Named after Patroclus (Πάτροκλος)
Dios Apate[6] Iliad
Books 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.[6] From Διός, the Greek genitive (possessive) form of the name Zeus, and ἀπάτη (deception)
Nostos Odyssey
Books 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)
Cyclopeia Odyssey
Book 9		 Κύκλωψ - Odysseus and his men encounter and escape the Cyclops named Polyphemus From Κύκλωψ (cyclops, a one-eyed or "disc-eyed" giant)
Theomachia Iliad
Books 20,21		 Θεομαχία Theomachy 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)
Epipolesis[11] Iliad
Book 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[12] Iliad
Book 18		 Ὁπλοποιία - Hephaestus forges an intricately decorated shield for Achilles From ὁπλοποιέω[13] (make weapons)

Names of types of scenes 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 Odyssey
Book 18		 ἔκφρaσiς - A 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)

References

  1. ^ Rieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959) p. 158-9
  2. ^ M. I. Finley, The World of Odysseus (Penguin 1967) p. 164
  3. ^ "Religious Cults Associated with the Amazons: Chapter I: The Amazons in Greek Legend". Internet Sacred Text Archive. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. ^ Toohey, Peter. Reading Epic: An Introduction to Ancient Narratives. New York: Routledge, 1992.
  5. ^ Tsagalis, Christos C., The Homeric Doloneia: Evolution and Shaping of Iliad 10 (Oxford University Press 2024)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Homer (1990). The Iliad.
  7. ^ Willcock, Malcolm L. A Companion to The Iliad: Based on the Translation by Richard Lattimore (Phoenix Books 1976) p. 32
  8. ^ Cairns, Douglas Defining Greek Narrative (Edinburgh University Press 2014) p. 164
  9. ^ Most, Glenn W. "The Structure and Function of Odysseus' Apologoi", 'Transactions of the American Philological Association', 1989, vol. 119, pp. 15–16
  10. ^ Rieu, E. V. trans., The Odyssey (Penguin 1959)
  11. ^ "Homeric Conversation: Chapter 4. Single Speeches and Variations on the Battlefield". Center For Hellenic Studies. Retrieved 2025-08-09.
  12. ^ "LSJ ὁπλοποιία". LSJ - Ancient Greek Dictionaries. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
  13. ^ "LSJ ὁπλοποιέω". LSJ - Ancient Greek Dictionaries. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
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