In this 6th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we cover the longest book in the Iliad, book 5. Filled entirely by the exploits of the hero Diomedes as Athena contrives to bring honor to the young hero, we see how Homer is training us on model heroic behavior in these early books, preparing us to compare between Diomedes and Achilles aristeia. I also touch on some fascinating comparative mythology between Iliad book 5 and the Epic of Gilgamesh, and I look at how Homer uses his Gods not to denigrate his heroes, but instead, elevate them.

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