Iliad.

This is coolbert:

"Deaths in the Iliad".

From a web site of that title, I have tabulated the deaths mentioned in the Iliad. The great epic poem of the Greeks. Should NOT be thought of as legend or myth. Is taught as myth, but I believe it to be a true occurrence told with great accuracy. A real siege of Troy by Achaeans did occur. The participants mentioned in the Iliad did really live, and participated in the exploits as narrated by Homer. This DID happen.

By tabulating this list of deaths, weapons used, where the fatal blow was struck, I hope to make some observations and comments. Has this been done before? Perhaps some scholar has done so? I just don't know??!!

This list has been prepared by Professor Ian Johnston of Malaspina University College, BC., Canada.

By my reckoning:

In the Iliad, the number of two hundred forty one [241] deaths are mentioned.

Of that above figure, the weapon used is NOT mentioned on one hundred and nine [109] occasions.

Of those remaining one hundred thirty two deaths [132] [241-109=132], some very definite observations can be made.

Death by spear is mentioned on ninety two [92] occasions. [72.5 %].

Death by sword is mentioned on sixteen [16] occasions. [12.6 %].

Death by arrow is mentioned on thirteen [13] occasions. [10.2%].

Death by rock is mentioned on six [6] occasions. [4.7 %].

That accounts for one hundred twenty seven [127] deaths.

Remaining deaths [five] are attributable to multiple weapon strikes, i.e. spear and sword twice, sword and trampling by horse once, rock and spear once, and arm cut off [no weapon mentioned] once.

On eleven [11] occasions in the Iliad, a combatant is merely wounded. On two of those occasions, the weapon used is not mentioned. Weapons used in the remainder of the wounding events are spear five times, arrow twice, and rock twice.

Comments.

When we speak of rock as being an instrument of death for the combatants at Troy, we ARE NOT speaking of a pebble tossed by a sling. I had originally thought this was the case, but Professor Johnston indicates this is NOT SO. Rock as mentioned in the Iliad pertains to a boulder sized object that not two men could life. Perhaps this is a boulder cast by a machine?? I am not sure.

Also, for the purposes of this tabulation, I have NOT counted the twelve sleeping soldiers as mentioned in the Iliad when Diomedes 2 slays Rhesus 2 [line # 10.579]. I am only counting the death of Rhesus 2. It may be that Diomedes 2 snuck into an encampment and cut the throats of Rhesus 2 and the sleeping soldiers [form of death and weapon used not mentioned]. Only counting Rhesus 2 for this tabulation.

Some obvious conclusions can be reached. The preferred weapon of the combatants at Troy was the thrusting spear. Warriors of the time wore a helmet, breast plate to protect the thorax, and greaves [shin guards]. Carried a large shield and a thrusting spear for fighting. Used the sword secondly. Missiles such as rocks and arrows were also secondary weapons.

coolbert.