Divine intervention was a major variable in the equation of Homer's Iliad
Divine Human Relationships
The contemporary view of the Christian God is much different than the view of the gods by the Ancient Greeks. The Christian God does not tend to take such an active role in the affairs of people's lives, where, on the other hand, the Greeks regard direct involvement by the gods as a daily, uncontrollable part of life. Though many characteristics of the Greek and Christian gods are the same, there are just as many differences. The divine-human relationships are portrayed differently in Homer’s Iliad and the Psalms of David.
Divine intervention was a major variable in the equation of Homer's Iliad. The intervention of such divine powers as Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite and Zeus play significant roles in the lives of the characters and the events of the Greek- Trojan War. They influence men on earth both psychologically and physically. In one instance where Aphrodite saves Paris, she “plucked him away, she saved his life when he thought his end had come” (4.13-14). Aphrodite did not want Paris to be killed so she simply came down from the heavens to save him. The Greek gods often favored one mortal over another and gave that mortal special protection. Based on favoritism the gods chose who lived or died and also who suffered. Apollo made sure things would play out the way he wanted them to when he “swept in close behind him (Hector)/ driving strength in his legs and knees to race the wind” (22.243-244). To the Greek gods the humans were like marionettes, which they could orchestrate according to their mood at that particular time. Their actions were often based on whims. The Greek gods are a higher power, and were a way for the Greeks to provide explanations for otherwise unexplainable events. At the beginning of Book 1 Apollo “incensed at the king/ he swept a fatal plague through the army” (10-11). The gods produce situations over trivial things, such as forgetting a sacrifice or, in this case, insulting Chrysies. One day they may protect the Achaeans, the next day the Trojans. The gods play favorites with no sense at all of any of the moral or political issues involved in the war. One can only wonder how the war would have turned out if the gods had not gotten involved. Would there even have been a war?
