Homer's Iliad was printed many times during the eighteenth century. Along with the Odyssey, it is one of the earliest surviving pieces of Western literature. It tells the story of the legendary Greek siege of the city of Troy and an argument between the leader of the siege, King Agamemnon, and the Greek hero Achilles.

Alexander Pope was one of the foremost English poets of the early eighteenth century, accomplished in poetry, drama and satire, and also eager to achieve a poetical translation of Homer. The first edition of the Iliad was published by subscription over 6 years from 1715, and was highly commended by Samuel Johnson. Richard Bentley, academic and Master of Trinity College Cambridge, on the other hand, said 'It is a pretty poem, Mr. Pope, but you must not call it Homer'.