Greek Myths Series Audio Lesson E11 The Iliad | Greek Mythology

This lesson is E11 “The Iliad” (extended episode) within the Greek Myths Series. These are curriculum-style audio mini-lessons built for real classrooms, with ready-to-use worksheets and assessments that line up with ELA and social studies literacy standards. Press play, then discuss or assign the flexible printables—no extra prep.

Students follow the story from the first plague and quarrel to the duels, funerals, and fragile peace around Hector’s burial. They hear how Achilles’ insulted honor weakens the Greeks, how Hector struggles to balance family love with duty, and how Patroclus’ death pulls Achilles back into battle with terrifying force. The episode closes with Priam’s dangerous visit to Achilles’ tent, where enemy and killer share grief and agree on a proper funeral for Hector.

Myth Focus: The clash of honor, rage, and duty in the Trojan War—from the plague in the Greek camp and Achilles’ withdrawal, to Hector’s courage, Patroclus’ death, and the risky night meeting when Priam begs for his son’s body.

Key Figures: Achilles | Hector | Agamemnon | Priam | Patroclus | Paris | Helen

Big Idea: The Iliad shows that pride and rage can pull whole armies toward ruin, yet even in the middle of violent conflict, courage and empathy can create brief moments of reconciliation.

Perfect for middle school ELA, social studies, or mythology units, this episode works well in listening centers, whole-class mini-lessons, sub plans, or small-group intervention. Teachers can use it alongside a full Iliad reading or as a focused way to explore how epic stories connect personal grief, heroism, and the costs of war.

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What’s included

• MP3 episode (20 minutes)
• Teacher’s guide and answer key (PDF/DOCX)
• CCSS alignment section for Grades 6–8 and CCRA (suitable for Grades 9–12 depending on your classroom needs)
• Themes & discussion prompts: 5 open-ended themes designed for whole-class or small-group talk
• One-page graphic organizer (cause & effect)
• 5 SAT-level vocabulary words in context
• Short answer questions (1–5): focused on recall and basic reasoning
• Challenge questions (6–12): focused on application, inference, creative response, historical connection, and civic/modern connection
• 20-question multiple-choice self-graded exit quiz

What makes Greek Mythology Audio Lessons different?

• Short on time, big on thinking: each episode is a complete myth mini-lesson in about 20 minutes of audio, with everything built around one clear mythic moment and its consequences.
• Designed for listening stations and full-class use: calm pacing, clear vocabulary, and printable supports that work whether you play it whole-class or at a single Chromebook station.
• Flexible assessments, one myth at a time: from verbal discussion to organized notes, from short answers to multiple-choice, you can scale rigor up or down without rewriting materials.
• Offline-friendly: load the MP3 to an old phone, tablet, or computer and use it even if Wi-Fi is unreliable.

Classroom use ideas

Whole-class lesson

• Press play during ELA or humanities, pausing at key moments to answer the short answer questions.
• Use the Main Ideas & Themes questions to get hands in the air and push students beyond simple plot summary.
• Have students complete the graphic organizer and/or worksheet individually or in pairs.

Listening center / stations

• One device + headphones + worksheet = an independent mythology station.
• Great for early finishers, small-group rotations, or mixed-level classes where some students need more listening practice.

Make-up lesson / home learning

• Send the audio and worksheet home for students who missed the lesson.
• They can listen once, fill in the organizer and questions, and come back ready to join discussion.

What to expect

• Fits real schedules: use in a single class period, during morning meeting, as a station, or as a ready-made sub plan.
• Micro-lesson design: one extended episode, one epic conflict, clearly explained with built-in vocabulary and structured follow-up.
• Easy to use: audio, teacher’s guide, discussion prompts, graphic organizer, short-answer and challenge questions, and a 20-question MC quiz are all aligned and ready to print.
• Differentiated assessment: verbal (discussion), visual (graphic organizer), written (short answer and challenge), and recognition-based (MC quiz) options built around the same core story.
• No internet required: download once; play anywhere.

If you’re looking for an engaging, classroom-ready way to explore honor, rage, and reconciliation in the Trojan War, this Episode 11 “The Iliad (Extended Episode)” audio lesson provides a complete, offline-ready mini-lesson. Students see how individual choices ripple through armies and how brief acts of empathy can interrupt even the most violent cycles.