In Homer's Iliad we are drawn into terrifying scenes of carnage, chaos and destruction. We are given very vivid images of battle, death and disaster. Throughout the epic we are taught lessons in loyalty and honor and are constantly reminded of the high price of pride and dishonoring the gods. Homer highlights many minor and major character flaws, social codes, and expectations that fit the setting of the poem and also our modern times. The 2004 film, Troy, was influenced by the epic but even though they tell the same story (of the taking and sacking of Troy) there are very noticeable differences in plot points, attitudes and characters. Homer's narrative not only recounts the Trojan War but also the roles of the gods in the battles. On the one hand, Hera, Athena and Poseidon aim to ensure the victory of the Greeks. On the other; Zeus, Aphrodite and Apollo try to save the Trojans. Instances such as; Aphrodite coming down to take Paris away when he is about to be killed by Menelaus, or Athena convincing Achilles not to seek revenge on Agamemnon and that in due time the glory will be his, are excellent examples of the immortals' interference in the events of war. . All of these things legitimize the presence of the gods in the Iliad and reinforce the ideas of fate and destiny that are always present. The gods (Zeus, in particular) had the task of keeping mortals on the right path, respecting the limits of their individual and collective destinies. Homer made us aware of what those destinies are and so were the characters themselves. The gods were not only feared and respected by tradition, because their ancestors honored them; the gods were very real and present to the characters in… in the center of the card… above the people. Menelaus was killed by Hector to save Paris and Agamemnon was killed by Briseis in self-defense. Although both died fighting, neither was glorified in death. Both mediums were provocative and illustrative of human nature; past and present. The film Troy, although set in a completely different era than the Iliad, still manages to effectively convey Homer's story of pride and greed. In the poem the reader's response is to denigrate the young and stupid Paris for being guided by emotion rather than reason, or even the stubborn Achilles for sitting out of battles and allowing many men to die. However, the film depicts these people more sympathetically, drawing on their weaknesses, the things that make them human to show where their duty lies and how noble they are. The film doesn't just rely on valor and audacity as indicators of greatness.