Trojan War epic NYT Crossword clue hints and answers

The July 9 NYT Mini Crossword tests all facets of your knowledge, and your ability to know a “Trojan War epic” is paramount to your success.

The NYT Mini Crossword is out for blood in the July 9 iteration of the daily puzzle. As well as needing to know large animals, you must unlock old-school history knowledge from your early years—with Trojan history being the key area.

Hints and answer to Trojan War epic Crossword clue

• Hint 1: It’s a poem.
• Hint 2: The poem’s author is Homer (not from The Simpsons)
• Hint 3: It sounds like a mountain in Grand Theft Auto. 
• Hint 4: It begins with an “I.”

You have one last chance to figure out the answer for yourself before I give you the solution.

The answer to seven across in the July 9 NYT Mini Crossword is ILIAD. It’s one of two historical poems by Greek author Homer—the other being Odyssey—and it’s sacred literature that has transcended centuries due to its significance and excellence. The story recaps the end of the Trojan War and breaks down the tumultuous period’s end.

Full answers for the July 9 NYT Mini Crossword

ACROSS

• 1A Substance used by violin players — ROSIN
• 6A One of the world’s largest land animals, familiarity — HIPPO
• 7A Trojan War epic — ILIAD
• 8A N.B.A. team that recently agreed to its first trade with the Knicks in over 40 years — NETS
• 9A Lyric poems — ODES

DOWN

• 1D One of the world’s largest land animals, familiarity — RHINO
• 2D Well-___ machine — OILED
• 3D Petty ill will — SPITE
• 4D “Skip me,” in a game — I PASS
• 5D Nonverbal agreement — NOD

Trojan War epic crossword clue difficulty rating

In the likely event you went to school, chances are you’ve learned about the Trojan War—with the iconic Trojan Horse seen was one of the most inventive tactical maneuvers in history. But Homer’s work associated with the Trojan War is less discussed, so you’d be forgiven for not knowing Iliad. This is quite a select piece of knowledge, so we’ll go for a three out of five on the difficulty scale here.

How to play more Crosswords after solving the NYT Mini Crossword

Don’t just stop with the NYT Mini Crossword once you’re done. I recommend having a crack at the LA Times puzzles and the Washington Post for more brainteasers. Strands and Spelling Bee can also give you a whimsical buzz (pun intended) to keep the creative juices flowing.