Unveiling the Hidden Warfare in Maternal Protection Similes of the Iliad

AbstractSince ancient times, Homeric similes, particularly in the Iliad, have been extensively debated. Often treated as separate narrative components, their traditional aspects have been overlooked in favour of their unique images. However, recent studies have emphasised that these similes convey more than just explicit images: they also communicate through their traditional language and repeated themes. The similes centred on maternal protection have been commonly interpreted as tender, portraying a war-free reality. Yet, Kathy Gaca ("Reinterpreting the Homeric Simile of Iliad 16.7–11: The Girl and Her Mother in Ancient Greek Warfare," American Journal of Philology 129 (2): 145–171, 2008) introduced an alternative view, proposing that the simile in Il. 16.6–10, comparing Patroclus to a crying little girl clinging to her mother's dress, might represent a mother fleeing from invading soldiers with her child. Building upon this interpretation, I argue for a war context in the other three similes that have a maternal protection scene: Il. 4.130–131 (Athena protecting Menelaus), Il. 8.271 (Teucer hiding behind Ajax's shield), and Il. 12.433–435 (the balance in battle).Keywords: simileswarIliadwar victimstraditional languageaudience