Having said that, Homer builds The Iliad as an anti war poem. There is no effort to glorify war or the hero and instead there is a conscious attempt to depict ugly images of war, not to disgust the reader, but to show war as it is.

What does The Iliad say about war?

While war may be hell, it is also intoxicating. It fills us with adrenaline. Because it requires so much effort and self-sacrifice—because it fills men with elevated notions of duty and comraderie—war becomes noble, even beautiful. It is the place, as Homer says, "where men win glory."

Why does The Iliad glorify war?

The Iliad does more to glorify war because it shows a romanticized version of what can only be described as gory and dire. Romance within is another prevalent theme and is evident through the portrayal of ongoing themes such as: victory in battles, funeral games/athletic competitions and wealth.