<p>The story of the Iliad centers on the critical events in the last year of the Trojan War which lead to Achilles&#39;s killing of Hektor and determine the fate of Troy. But Homer&#39;s theme is not simply war or heroism. With compassion and humanity he presents a universal and tragic view of the world of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death set against a vast and largely unpitying divine background. The Iliad is the first of the great tragedies.</p>