In Homer’s The Iliad the roles of the Greek gods and goddesses in the Trojan War often involve the death and treachery of mortals. The gods usually decide who dies and who lives, and they determine the mental will of a person, but ultimately it is Fate that governs what happens to an individual. Only thinking of themselves, the immortal gods cannot relate to death or human affairs and often give little thought to …showed first 75 words of 845 total…

…showed last 75 words of 845 total…contest, but because “he had forgotten to promise [Apollo] a pleasing sacrifice of firstling lambs” Apollo does not allow him to hit the target (435). Along with requiring prayers and sacrifices to help a mortal succeed, some times the gods will take matters into their own hands for nothing more than self-enjoyment. In this manner, both Athena and Apollo use their power to foul the other mortals so that their favorite can win the chariot race.