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The Iliad

by Homer

Other authors: See the other authors section.

Series: Homer's Epic Cycle (1)

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39,75438652 (4.03)10 / 1511
Fiction. Poetry. Folklore. HTML:

An epic tale of love and betrayal, war and hope The Iliad is the first of two legendary ancient poems attributed to the Greek bard Homer. Typically dated between the 8th and 7th centuries BC it is believed by many to be the earliest extant piece of European literature. The poem deals with the exploits of Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles, Ajax and their comrades in the final year of their siege of the city of Troy.

.… (more)
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  1. 362
    The Odyssey by Homer (Voracious_Reader, caflores)
  2. 281
    The Aeneid by Virgil (HollyMS)
  3. 91
    Beowulf by Beowulf Poet (benmartin79)
  4. 41
    The Táin by Táin author (inge87)
  5. 52
    The Iliad of Homer [The Great Courses] by Elizabeth Vandiver (themulhern)
  6. 42
    Ransom by David Malouf (GCPLreader)
  7. 31
    Tiger at the Gates by Jean Giraudoux (aulsmith)
    aulsmith: Giraudoux imagines the events in Troy when Paris shows up with Helen
  8. 43
    The Song of Achilles: A Novel by Madeline Miller (alalba)
  9. 22
    The Dismissal of the Grecian Envoys by Jan Kochanowski (sirparsifal)
  10. 11
    The War That Killed Achilles: The True Story of Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War by Caroline Alexander (susanbooks)
    susanbooks: An excellent commentary on the poem.
  11. 12
    Cassandra by Christa Wolf (lewbs)
  12. 14
    The Death of King Arthur: A New Verse Translation by Anonymous (chrisharpe)
  13. 03
    Troy [2004 film] by Wolfgang Petersen (Anonymous user)
    Anonymous user: Very free interpretation (not adaptation) that in many ways improves on the original. No childish gods, no rambling digressions. Visually spectacular. The dialogue is a bit cringeworthy now and then, but it does have flashes of brilliance. Only for the most broad-minded admirers of Homer - or those who find the Greek bard unsatisfactory. PS Caveat: the Director's Cut is gratuitously gory!… (more)
  14. 18
    The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (Jitsusama)
    Jitsusama: An ancient classic revolving around Greek Myth. A great help to better understand the mythology of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series.
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English (329)  Spanish (28)  Catalan (9)  Italian (7)  Dutch (5)  Danish (4)  French (4)  Portuguese (Portugal) (1)  Swedish (1)  German (1)  All languages (389)
Showing 1-5 of 329 (next | show all)
Fagle’s translation is less poetic than others, some may find it more readable.

A must-read for all but not recommended without some guidance. From the very dawn of civilization, Homer provides us with a manifold source of knowledge to gain in a great variety of fields. They are powerful echoes from a deep past but are easily misinterpreted.
Since it was the first of its kind and cannot be fully understood without historical, social, evolutionary context.

Homer’s work goes beyond the telling of common themes of glory and valor. His epic poems revolutionized storytelling. One gets the distinct feeling that he made a conscious effort to have myth serve literature, not the other way around. The flat if superhuman characters of earlier myths, say the Gilgamesh Epos, the Atra-Hasis, or Enuma Elis, their one-dimensional recalling of events, their lack of sophisticated literary techniques that were considered sufficient to serve a myth of creation are replaced and superseded by Homer’s sophisticated literary structure with its well-developed characters exuding, for the first time, human qualities in such complexity that make them so recognizable.
Homer’s characters have become ambassadors for eternity to come. Just consider Helen’s statement to Hector, “On us two Zeus has set a doom of misery, so that in time to come we can be themes of song for men of future generations”- Book 6. A prophetic statement, indeed.

It is often said that we (the West) are all Greek, well then we (writers and authors) are all Homerians. ( )
  nitrolpost | Mar 19, 2024 |
A must-read for all but not recommended without some guidance. From the very dawn of civilization, Homer provides us with a manifold source of knowledge to gain in a great variety of fields. They are powerful echoes from a deep past but are easily misinterpreted.
Since it was the first of its kind and cannot be fully understood without historical, social, evolutionary context.

Homer’s work goes beyond the telling of common themes of glory and valor. His epic poems revolutionized storytelling. One gets the distinct feeling that he made a conscious effort to have myth serve literature, not the other way around. The flat if superhuman characters of earlier myths, say the Gilgamesh Epos, the Atra-Hasis, or Enuma Elis, their one-dimensional recalling of events, their lack of sophisticated literary techniques that were considered sufficient to serve a myth of creation are replaced and superseded by Homer’s sophisticated literary structure with its well-developed characters exuding, for the first time, human qualities in such complexity that make them so recognizable.
Homer’s characters have become ambassadors for eternity to come. Just consider Helen’s statement to Hector, “On us two Zeus has set a doom of misery, so that in time to come we can be themes of song for men of future generations”- Book 6. A prophetic statement, indeed.

It is often said that we (the West) are all Greek, well then we (writers and authors) are all Homerians. Period ( )
  nitrolpost | Mar 19, 2024 |
the last paragraph of the introduction made me audibly gasp Wilson understands this poem perfectly and her translation is 'simple' but heart-wrenching ( )
  griller02 | Mar 18, 2024 |
Overrated. ( )
  zomgpwnbbq | Mar 4, 2024 |
Five excellent Homeric similes using "As... even so" construction:

1. As a mountain falcon, swiftest of all birds, swoops down upon some cowering dove - the dove flies before him but the falcon with a shrill scream follows close after, resolved to have her - even so did Achilles make straight for Hector with all his might, while Hector fled under the Trojan wall as fast as his limbs could take him.
[Book 22]

2. As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought - and the dense forest is in a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues of fire in every direction - even so furiously did Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he were a superhuman force, and giving chase to those whom he would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood. [Book 20]

3. As two swart oxen both strain their utmost at the plow which they are drawing in a fallow field, and the sweat steams upwards from about the roots of their horns - nothing but the yoke divides them as they break up the ground till they reach the end of the field - even so did the two Ajaxes stand shoulder to shoulder by one another. [Book 13]

4. As when the mighty sea that thunders on the beach when the west wind has lashed it into fury, it has reared its head afar and now comes crashing down on the shore; it bows its arching crest high over the jagged rocks and spews its salt foam in all directions, even so did the serried phalanxes of the Danaans march steadfastly to battle. [Book 4]

5. As when a man gives a great ox-hide all drenched in fat to his men, and bids them stretch it; whereon they stand round it in a ring and tug till the moisture leaves it, and the fat soaks in for the many that pull at it, and it is well stretched - even so did the two sides tug the dead body hither and thither within the compass of but a little space - the Trojans steadfastly set on dragging it into Ilion, while the Achaeans were no less so on taking it to their ships; and fierce was the fight between them. [Book 17] ( )
  lelandleslie | Feb 24, 2024 |
Showing 1-5 of 329 (next | show all)
Propulsive ... Wilson’s translation of Homeric Greek is always buoyant and expressive. There are occasional slips in register that seem a little out of place ... But Wilson wants this version to be read aloud, and it would certainly be fun to perform.
added by vibesandall | editThe New York Times, Natalie Haynes (Sep 25, 2023)
 
Stands out because her command of ancient Greek vocabulary, dialects, metres and even the manuscript tradition lends authority to every aesthetic decision she has made ... But her learning would count for little if the translation itself did not seduce with its crystalline clarity, elegance, sensuality, sometimes breathless pace and above all emotional clout ... Of course, there are places where I personally would have preferred a different choice ... Dynamic.
added by vibesandall | editTHE GUARDIAN (UK), EDITH HALL
 
Reads very well, even the rather technical wounding, and the metre mostly holds up. There are many omissions, but none seriously affecting meaning. After all, it’s the readability for those who do not know Greek that counts ... Wilson’s introduction and helpful notes to the text (at the back) usher in a wide range of technical, historical, cultural and literary issues ...
added by vibesandall | editTHE TIMES (UK), PETER JONES
 

» Add other authors (189 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Homerprimary authorall editionsconfirmed
Alberich i Mariné, JoanTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Alexander, CarolineTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Alsina Clota, JoséIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Ģiezens, AugustsTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Østergaard, Carl V.Editorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Baker-Smith, GrahameIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Baskin, LeonardIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Belenson, GailCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bendz, GerhardTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Björkeson, IngvarTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bond, William HenryEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Boysen, RolfNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Broome, WilliamContributorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Brower, Reuben ArthurEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bruijn, J.C.Editorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Bryant, William CullenTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Buckley, Theodore AloisEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Buckley, Theodore AloisTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Cerri, GiovanniTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Chapman, GeorgeTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Chase, Alston HurdTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Ciani, Maria GraziaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Clark, ThomasTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Crespo Güemes, EmilioEd. lit.secondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Cullen, PatrickNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Devecseri, GáborTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Due, Otto SteenTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Erni, HansIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Fagles, RobertTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Fitzgerald, RobertTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Flaxman, JohnIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Fridrihsons, KurtsIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gertz, Martin ClarentiusEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gostoli, AntoniettaContributorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Graves, RobertTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Gutiérrez, FernandoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Hammond, MartinIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Holland, TomAfterwordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Jacobi, DerekNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Johnston, Ian C.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kelfkens, C.J.Cover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Kirk, G. S.Introductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Knox, BernardIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Koolschijn, GerardTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lagerlöf, ErlandTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lateur, PatrickTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lattimore, RichmondTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Leaf, WalterTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lesser, AntonNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Linkomies, EdwinForewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lombardo, StanleyTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Loomis, Louise RopesEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Manninen, OttoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Martínez García, OscarTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
McDonald, AudraNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Mitchell, StephenTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Molina, AlfredNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Monti, VincenzoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Muller, Herbert J.Contributorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Murnaghan, SheilaIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Myers, ErnestTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Newman, Francis W.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Orléans de La Motte, Louis François Gabriel d'Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Parnell, ThomasContributorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Perry, William G. Jr.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Pollestad, Kjell ArildTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Pope, AlexanderTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rees, EnnisTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rhodes, Charles ElbertEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rieu, Emile VictorTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rouse, William H. D.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Savage, SteeleIllustratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Schadewaldt, WolfgangTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Schadewaldt, WolfgangIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Schrott, RaoulTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Segalà i Estalella, LluísTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Shankman, StevenEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Shorey, PaulEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stawell, F. MelianIntroductionsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stevens, DanNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Stolpe, JanEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Svenbro, JesperForewordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Timmerman, Aegidius W.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Voß, Johann HeinrichTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Vosmaer, C.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Voss, Johann HeinrichTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Wakefield, GilbertEditorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Wills, GarryPrefacesecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Wilson, Emily R.Translatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed

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μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρί᾽ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε᾽ ἔθηκε,
πολλὰς δ᾽ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν
ἡρώων, αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν
οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι, Διὸς δ᾽ ἐτελείετο βουλή,
ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε
Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.
Achilles' baneful wrath resound, O Goddess, that impos'd
Infinite sorrows on the Greeks, and many brave souls los'd. [George Chapman]
Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring
Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing! [Alexander Pope]
Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought
countless ills upon the Achaeans. [Samuel Butler]
An angry man—there is my story: the bitter rancour of Achillês, prince of the house of Peleus, which brought a thousand troubles upon the Achaian host. [W.H.D. Rouse]
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Fiction. Poetry. Folklore. HTML:

An epic tale of love and betrayal, war and hope The Iliad is the first of two legendary ancient poems attributed to the Greek bard Homer. Typically dated between the 8th and 7th centuries BC it is believed by many to be the earliest extant piece of European literature. The poem deals with the exploits of Agamemnon, Odysseus, Achilles, Ajax and their comrades in the final year of their siege of the city of Troy.

.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary
Too many heroes
Too much blood, sex, fighting, war
Gods and goddesses
(pickupsticks)
Mannered, ironic,
Pope is scarcely Homeric.
How is it this works?
(bertilak)
Helen of Sparta
Elopes with Paris. Name change
To Helen of Troy
(pickupsticks)
All work and no gifts,
I refuse to fight for you
until my friend dies.
(LeBoeuf)

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Penguin Australia

5 editions of this book were published by Penguin Australia.

Editions: 0140275363, 0140445927, 0140447946, 0140444440, 0451530691

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