The Iliad is a battlefield of words as much as it is a tale of heroes. Understanding its warfare vocabulary isn’t just about translation - it’s about stepping into the world of Achilles, Hector, and the clash of bronze. Here are eight key terms that define Homeric Greek combat.
1. δουρός (dourós) – The Spear
δουρός
/doː.rós/“spear”
The primary weapon of Homeric warriors. Unlike later Greek warfare, where the spear was secondary to the sword, the dourós was often thrown or thrust in close combat. Achilles’ ash spear, gifted by his father, is a recurring symbol in the Iliad.
2. φάλαγξ (phálanx) – The Battle Line
φάλαγξ
/pʰá.laŋks/“phalanx”
Though later associated with the tight formations of classical Greece, Homeric phálanx refers to a looser battle line. Heroes often break ranks for duels, but the term underscores the collective nature of warfare even in the Iliad.
3. ἀσπίς (aspís) – The Shield
ἀσπίς
/as.pís/“shield”
A warrior’s lifeline. The aspís was typically large and round, made of layers of oxhide and bronze. The most famous is Achilles’ shield, forged by Hephaestus and described in vivid detail in Book 18.
4. μάχη (mákhē) – The Fight
μάχη
/má.kʰɛː/“battle”
The general term for combat. Homeric mákhē ranges from chaotic skirmishes to the climactic duels of heroes. It’s the root of modern words like ‘machinations’ and ‘machete’.
5. κλέος (kléos) – The Glory
κλέος
/klé.os/“glory”
The driving force behind Homeric warfare. Kléos isn’t just fame - it’s the immortal renown earned through heroic deeds. Achilles chooses a short life with kléos over a long, anonymous one.
6. θοῦρος (thoûros) – The Furious Charge
θοῦρος
/tʰoû.ros/“furious”
An epithet for warriors in the heat of battle, often translated as ‘furious’ or ‘headlong’. It captures the reckless energy of Homeric combat, where heroes like Diomedes or Ajax surge forward, scattering enemies.
7. νεκρός (nekrós) – The Fallen
νεκρός
/ne.krós/“corpse”
A grim but frequent sight. The Iliad dwells on the fate of the dead, from Patroclus’ funeral rites to Hector’s desecration. The word survives in modern terms like ‘necrosis’ and ‘necromancy’.
8. Ἄρης (Árēs) – The God of War
Ἄρης
/á.rɛːs/“Ares”
Though less central than Athena, Ares embodies the chaos of battle. Homer calls him ‘manslaughtering’ and ‘blood-stained’, a far cry from the disciplined warfare of later Greek ideals.
Want more Homeric Greek? Check out our guide to 10 lesser-known words or the structure of Homeric epithets.
