Liver,, hepar, heparion …

Also the heart, kardia

They are the entrails and the liver

In Homer’s Iliad, references to the consumption of innards are primarily associated with sacrificial rituals. These internal organs were considered both offerings to the gods and part of communal feasting among the warriors. While exact translations can vary, one notable passage that mentions the consumption of innards occurs in Book 1, during the sacrificial rites led by Agamemnon.

Example Passage from Book 1

In Book 1, lines 348–352 (depending on the translation), Agamemnon performs sacrifices to appease the gods amid his conflict with Achilles. Here’s an excerpt from the Richmond Lattimore translation:

“And Agamemnon drew near to the altar, and he laid up the shields and the spears and the bridle-gifts

Upon the dry wood of the sacrificial fire, and he bound the bulls and the rams and the sheep with swift runners;

He set up the brazen tripod and the oxen; the priests poured libations.

Then they slaughtered the bull, and the priests drove the fire, and they cut the entrails and the liver

Into the fire, and the people drank wine and rejoiced.”

Key Points from the Passage

1. Slaughtering the Animal: The bull is slaughtered as part of the sacrificial ritual.
2. Preparation of Innards: The entrails and liver (splanchna) are specifically mentioned as being cut and placed into the fire.
3. Consumption and Ritual Significance: While the priests handle the sacrificial parts for the gods, the people partake in the wine and the feast, symbolizing both reverence and communal unity.

Additional Context

• Sacrificial Practices: In ancient Greek rituals, the consumption of innards was a way to honor the gods. The liver, in particular, was considered the seat of life and was often the first portion offered to the deities.
• Communal Feasting: After the sacrificial offerings, the remaining meat, including other internal organs like the heart and kidneys, would be shared among the warriors and participants, reinforcing social bonds and collective identity.

Variations in Translations

Different translations of the Iliad may phrase these passages differently, but the core elements regarding the sacrifice and consumption of innards remain consistent. Here are snippets from other translations for comparison:

• Robert Fagles Translation (Book 1, around lines 350–355):

“He slaughtered the bull and offered up the entrails to the gods. Then the people drank the wine and celebrated together.”

• Samuel Butler Translation (Book 1, around lines 350–355):

“He killed the bull, and offered up the entrails and liver to the gods; then the warriors drank wine and rejoiced.”

Conclusion

The Iliad portrays the consumption of innards as an integral part of sacrificial ceremonies, blending religious duty with communal celebration. These practices underscored the bond between the Greeks and their gods, as well as among the warriors themselves.

If you’re interested in exploring the exact wording, I recommend consulting a specific translation of the Iliad—such as those by Richmond Lattimore, Robert Fagles, or Samuel Butler—to see how different translators render these sacrificial passages.

xxx

In the Iliad and other ancient Greek texts, references to eating “innards” typically describe the consumption of certain internal organs of animals, which were considered both a delicacy and part of ritual sacrifice. These innards, or splanchna in Greek, generally included:

1. Liver (hēpar or hēparion): Considered one of the most important organs, it was often offered to the gods during sacrifices before the rest was eaten by mortals.
2. Heart (kardia): Another vital organ eaten, either grilled or boiled.
3. Kidneys: Often roasted or boiled.
4. Lungs: Sometimes consumed after cooking.
5. Spleen (splēn): Another organ that might be consumed, though not as highly regarded as the liver or heart.

In Homeric rituals, these innards would be roasted over a fire, often skewered on spits. The preparation and consumption of these parts also carried a religious significance, as they were frequently the first portion of a sacrificial animal offered to the gods before the rest of the meat was shared among the people.

Eating innards was a communal activity linked to ritual feasts, and it symbolized a bond between humans and the gods in these sacrificial contexts.