Sarpedon Trojan ally, co-commander of the Lycians, killed by Patroklos. He was a son of Zeus.
Scaean Gate the main gates of the city of Troy.
Scamander river that flows through the plain on which Troy is located.
scepter a rod or staff, highly ornamented, held by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty. The passing of the scepter to a person by the herald indicated permission to speak.
Selli prophets who serve Zeus.
shield a flat, usually broad, piece of metal or wood carried in the hand or worn on the forearm to ward off blows or missiles. The shields used by Homeric warriors could be the small, round, metal buckler or the larger, oval, ox-hide constructions that protected the entire body.
Sleep god who is the brother of Death.
Smintheus another name, or epithet, for Apollo. This title is often translated as "Mouse God" and relates to Apollo's role in the plague in Book I.
Son of Cronus epithet for Zeus. Cronus the Titan was Zeus' father.
spear a weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with a sharp point, usually of metal or stone, for thrusting or throwing. The Homeric warriors fight mainly with a large thrusting spear that is sometimes thrown. Swords, bows, and arrows are less frequently used.
Styx, River of the Underworld Achilles was dipped in it by Thetis, making him invulnerable except for his heel. Gods also swore oaths by the River Styx.
tactician epithet frequently used with Odysseus to emphasize his intellectual and practical abilities.
Tartarus lowest part of the Greek underworld where Zeus' defeated enemies were sent.
theomachy a battle of the gods, frequently used in mythological traditions.
Thersites Greek soldier who verbally criticizes Agamemnon. He is ugly and somewhat deformed and treated as a comic character. He is the only common soldier to have a speaking role in the Iliad. He is put down both verbally and physically by Odysseus.
Thetis sea goddess, daughter of Nereus; immortal mother of Achilles.
threshing floor floor or platform where seed was separated from a plant by striking the plant against the hard surface.
triple-flanged a flange is a ridge used for guiding a projectile. The Greek arrows have three edges or flanges.
tripod three-legged iron pot, used for cooking.
tunic a loose, gownlike garment worn by men and women in ancient Greece and Rome.
