All men have need of the gods

All men have need of the gods

In Homer's epic poems, the gods play a central role in the lives of mortals. The idea that "all men have need of the gods" is a recurring theme throughout both the Iliad and the Odyssey. The gods are portrayed as powerful beings who intervene in the lives of humans, often shaping their destinies and influencing their actions.

In the Iliad, the gods are depicted as active participants in the Trojan War, taking sides and influencing the outcome of battles. For example, Zeus supports the Trojans, while Athena and Hera support the Greeks. The gods also play a role in the personal lives of the characters, such as when Aphrodite intervenes to save Paris from death at the hands of Menelaus.

The idea that "all men have need of the gods" is evident in the way that the characters in the Iliad constantly seek the favor of the gods. They offer sacrifices, pray for divine intervention, and consult oracles in order to gain the gods' favor. The gods, in turn, respond to these pleas in various ways, sometimes granting the characters their desires and sometimes thwarting their plans.