1. An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, describing the Trojan War and the hero Achilles.
Usage: Proper noun; typically capitalized; Often studied in literature and classics courses
2. A long, complicated series of events or a narrative of troubles and conflicts.
Usage: Figurative use; lowercase when used generically; Often used in the phrase 'an iliad of…'

Examples

• Students read the Iliad in their high school English class.
• The Iliad is one of the oldest surviving works of Western literature.
• Homer's Iliad tells the story of the ten-year Trojan War.
• The novel presents an iliad of family conflicts spanning three generations.
• Scholars have debated the authorship of the Iliad for centuries.
• The Iliad and the Odyssey are considered the foundation of Greek literature.