The Trojan War, as described in the Iliad, is, in a sense, an archetype of war: It breaks out for trivial reasons but continues indefinitely, causing many tears to flow as well as rivers of blood, sowing death and causing destruction. It is horrific.

The strength of Achilles and the courage of Hector captivate us. The descriptions of their mythical battles are riveting. And in our ears, we hear the echo of a tragedy repeated through the centuries, the tragedy born from the clash of individual happiness with collective madness.