Homer's Iliad" is the greatest & most influential epic poem ever written telling of the tragic & bloody climax to the ten-year siege of Troy. This " Penguin Classics" edition was originally translated by E.V. Rieu revised & updated with an introduction & notes by Peter Jones & D.C.H. Rieu. One of the foremost achievements in Western literature Homer's " Iliad" tells the story of the darkest episode in the " Trojan War". At its centre is Achilles the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks & his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus he storms back into battle to take revenge
- even though he knows this will ensure his own untimely death. Interwoven with this tragic sequence of events are powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb & flow of battle of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium & of the conflicts between the Gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals. E.V. Rieu's acclaimed translation of " The Iliad" was one of the first titles published in " Penguin Classics" & now has classic status itself. For this edition Rieu's text has been revised & now a new introduction & notes by Peter Jones complement the original introduction. Seven Greek cities claim the honour of being the birthplace of Homer (c. 8th-7th century BC) the poet to whom the composition of the Iliad & Odyssey are attributed. " The Iliad" is the oldest surviving work of Western literature but the identity
- or even the existence
- of Homer himself is a complete mystery with no reliable biographical information having survived. If you enjoyed the " Iliad" you might like Homer's " Odyssey" also available in " Penguin Classics"."


...

An ancient Greek epic which underpins the whole of western literature Homers The Iliad" is a timeless evocation of the struggle to retain a sense of honour & virtue amidst the horrors of war. This " Penguin Classics" edition is translated with an introduction by Martin Hammond. " The Iliad" is the greatest literary achievement of Greek civilization. The story centres on the critical events in four days of the tenth & final year of the war between the Greeks & the Trojans. It describes how the quarrel of Agamemnon & Achilleus sets in motion a tragic sequence of events which leads to Achilleus killing of Hektor & determines the ultimate fate of Troy. But Homers theme is not simply war or heroism. With compassion & humanity he presents a universal & tragic view of the world of human life lived under the shadow of suffering & death set against a vast & largely unpitying divine background. " The Iliad" is the first of the worlds great tragedies. Martin Hammonds acclaimed translation is accompanied by a full introduction & a comprehensive index. Seven Greek cities claim the honour of being the birthplace of Homer (c. 8th-7th century BC) the poet to whom the composition of the Iliad & Odyssey are attributed. " The Iliad" is the oldest surviving work of Western literature but the identity
- or even the existence
- of Homer himself is a complete mystery with no reliable biographical information having survived. If you enjoyed the " Iliad" you might like Homers " Odyssey" also available in " Penguin Classics". " Martin Hammonds modern prose version is the best & most accurate there has ever been". (Peter Levi " Independent"). "A fine Iliad for our times". (Philip Howard " The Times")."

...

One of the greatest epics in Western literature The Iliad" recounts the story of the Trojan wars. This timeless poem still vividly conveys the horror & heroism of men & gods battling amidst devastation & destruction as it moves to its tragic conclusion. In his introduction Bernard Knox observes that although the violence of the Iliad is grim & relentless it co-exists with both images of civilized life & a poignant yearning for peace." ...

The Iliad is one of the finest of all the great works that have been handed down to us from Classical Antiquity. Paris a Trojan prince having won Helen as his prize for judging a beauty contest between the goddesses Hera Athena & Aphrodite abducted her from her Greek husband Menelaus & transported her to Troy. The Greeks enraged by this audacity & devastated by the loss of the most beautiful woman in the world set sail to Troy & began the long siege of the city. The Iliad narrates the events ten years into the war describing the anger of Achilles which results in the death of Patroclus & Achilless mourning of him & avenging of his murder. It has had a far-reaching impact on Western literature & culture inspiring writers artists & classical composers across the ages. Even though it was written more than two thousand years ago The Iliad remains both powerful & enthralling. ...

The product of more than a decade's continuous work (1598-1611) Chapman's translation of Homer's great poem of war is a magnificent testimony to the power of The Iliad. In muscular onward-rolling verse Chapman retells the story of Achilles the great warrior & his terrible wrath before the walls of besieged Troy & the destruction it wreaks on both Greeks & Trojans. Chapman regarded the translation of this epic & of Homer's Odyssey (also available in Wordsworth Editions) as his life's work & dedicated himself to capturing the 'soul' of the poem. ...

Fitzgerald has solved virtually every problem that has plagued translators of Homer. Atlantic Monthly The Iliad is the story of a few days fighting in the tenth year of the legendary war between the Greeks & the Trojans which broke out when Paris son of King Priam of Troy abducted the fabulously beautiful Helen wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. After a quarrel between the Greek commander Agamemnon & the greatest of the Greek warriors Achilles the gods become more closely involved in the action. Their intervention leads to the tragic death of Hector the Trojan leader & to the final defeat of the Trojans. But the Iliad is much more than a series of battle scenes. It is a work of extraordinary pathos & profundity that concerns itself with issues as fundamental as the meaning of life & death. Even the heroic ethic itself
- with its emphasis on pride honour prowess in battle & submission to the inexorable will of the gods
- is not left unquestioned. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford Worlds Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxfords commitment to scholarship providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features including expert introductions by leading authorities helpful notes to clarify the text up-to-date bibliographies for further study & much more.

...

Homers two epics of the ancient world The Iliad & The Odyssey" tell stories as riveting today as when they were written between the eighth & ninth century B.C. " The Iliad" which tells of the siege of Troy by the Greeks is an unforgettable tale of nations at war & of the courage & compassion heroic soldiers show upon the field of battle. " The Odyssey" is the story of the Greek hero Odysseus & the many marvels & challenges he encounters during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the end of the Trojan War. This edition employs Samuel Butlers classic translations of both texts. " The Iliad & The Odyssey" is part of " Barnes & Noble"s series of quality leatherbound volumes. Each title in the series presents a classic work in an attractively designed edition bound in durable bonded leather. These books make elegant additions to any home library." ...

The Iliad" tells the story of the war between Greeks & Trojans; the love between Helena & Paris; Achilles & Hector's deadly combat; & the Trojan Horse. " The Odyssey" depicts the perilous voyage home of the Greek warrior Odysseus; his struggles against the one-eyed Cyclops; the terrible Sirens; the dreadful six-headed Scylla. These classic Greek stories have been retold with lively text & a dramatic cartoon style making them accessible & fun for young children." ...

Sing goddess the anger of Peleus son Achilleus / & its devastation." For sixty years thats how Homer has begun the " Iliad" in English in Richmond Lattimores faithful translation--the gold standard for generations of students & general readers. This long-awaited new edition of Lattimores " Iliad" is designed to bring the book into the twenty-first century--while leaving the "poem" as firmly rooted in ancient Greece as ever. Lattimores elegant fluent verses--with their memorably phrased heroic epithets & remarkable fidelity to the Greek--remain unchanged but classicist Richard Martin has added a wealth of supplementary materials designed to aid new generations of readers. A new introduction sets the poem in the wider context of Greek life warfare society & poetry while line-by-line notes at the back of the volume offer explanations of unfamiliar terms information about the Greek gods & heroes & literary appreciation. A glossary & maps round out the book. The result is a volume that actively invites readers into Homers poem helping them to understand fully the worlds in which he & his heroes lived--and thus enabling them to marvel as so many have for centuries at Hektor & Ajax Paris & Helen & the devastating rage of Achilleus." ...

Taking the events & characters of the Iliad as his jumping- off point Dan Simmons has created an epic of time travel & savage warfare. Travellers from 40 000 years in the future return to Homers Greece & rewrite history forever their technology impacting on the population in a godlike fashion. This is broad scope space opera rich in classical & literary allusion from one of the key figures in 1990s world SF. Ilium marks a return to the genre for one of its greats. ...