Ilias

Ilias is the Greek title of the ancient Greek epic known in English as the Iliad. Attributed to Homer, it is one of the oldest surviving works of Western literature. The poem narrates events during a portion of the Trojan War, focusing on the anger of Achilles, the fate of Greek and Trojan warriors, and the involvement of the gods. Composed in dactylic hexameter, the work is divided into 24 books and is traditionally dated to the late 8th century BCE, though exact dating remains debated. Key episodes include the quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon, the death of Patroclus, and the duel between Achilles and Hector, culminating in the return of Hector’s body to Priam. The Ilias explores themes of honor, wrath, fate, and the human costs of war, and has profoundly influenced later literature and art.

Ilias is also a common male given name in Greece and other Greek-speaking communities. It is the Greek form of Elijah, derived from Hebrew origins, and is associated with the Prophet Elijah in Eastern Orthodox tradition. Variants in other languages include Elias and Ilia, with Turkish forms such as İlyas found in some regions. In contemporary usage, individuals named Ilias may be found across Greece, Cyprus, and the wider region.

In scholarly and literary contexts, the Iliad is studied for its oral-tradition roots, its place within the broader Homeric corpus, and its enduring influence on Western narrative and poetry.