"We, the eternal gods... Ah, what fearful blows we suffer - thanks to our own conflicting wills - whenever we show some kindness to these mortal men." (Iliad, book 5). The role of the gods is a constant theme that recurs throughout Homer's Iliad. This quote represents the power and control of many gods and goddesses. In the Iliad, the god and goddess took the side of mortals in whom they found favor. The roles of gods toward mortals included using humans, having connections with mortals, and other gods. They also determine battles between mortals and ultimately, they determine which side will win the battle. Some characteristics of the god and goddess include jealousy, revenge, and flattery. Non-mortals also had flaws such as vanity, pettiness, and any other human characteristics we display on a regular basis. Another example of the characteristics of gods and goddesses is that they cannot be the heroes of the story because they are not immortal. Gods and goddesses play an important role in the epic Iliad. The favor is displayed again and again in the room. The gods and goddesses' characteristic of favor is demonstrated even in the first book, as Homer already describes divine intervention in the characters' lives. With our outlook on life, it can sometimes be difficult to understand the actions and thoughts of the Greek gods and goddesses, but this is because the book was written in the 8th century. The gods chose which ones they would favor for different reasons, like Aphrodite who chose the Trojans because Paris claimed she was the most beautiful of her sisters. Zeus's wife, Hera, exhibited the most typical actions of a god. After Paris, a Trojan horse judged Aphrodite the most beautiful over Hera. There were also the gods who favored the Trojan... middle of paper ... oddities are valued in this poem and this is because they have such power over mortals, that they can make or undo someone or something as they please. The Greek gods and goddesses are created in the image of humans and that is why they act like them at the same time. In the poem, there are many examples of how immortals can become emotional by showing their pettiness, jealousy, and anger; just like humans, god and goddess had arguments, relationships and other human life brings to us daily. Another characteristic of the god and goddess is taking sides, as evidenced throughout the Trojan War with half the mortals taking the Greek side and half the Trojan side. Throughout this epic, the god and goddess are shown to play a very important role in the Olympian community. God and Goddess are the fundamental rulers of the immortals.