The Iliad

After reading the epic poem I wonder about the character's actions concerning the interaction with the gods. Many of the plots and battles were the direct result of the interference of the gods. If the gods were not involved, would the Trojan war have taken place? I think it would have, but would not have lasted nearly as long. It was the interference of Zeus, Apollo, Athena, and Hera (to name a few) who turned the tide of the war a couple of times. If you take them out, then the fighting would have stayed one sided rather than switching so overwhelmingly to another side and back.