Homer's Iliad (1867)

By William Lucas Collins and Homer

Book Overview

Homer's Iliad is an epic poem that dates back to ancient Greece, and it is considered to be one of the greatest works of literature of all time. The poem tells the story of the Trojan War, which was fought between the Greeks and the Trojans. The war was sparked by the abduction of Helen, the wife of Menelaus, by the Trojan prince Paris. The Iliad focuses on a few weeks of the final year of the war and follows the main character, Achilles, a Greek warrior, as he battles the Trojans and deals with the consequences of his actions. The poem explores themes such as the human condition, fate, and the nature of heroism. The 1867 edition of the Iliad, translated by Samuel Butler, is a classic translation that has been widely read and studied for over a century. This edition includes an introduction that provides context for the poem and its historical significance.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1164942360
• ISBN13: 9781164942368
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 440 Pages
• Weight: 1.29 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The ground is dark with blood.

With many books, translations are negligible, with two obvious exceptions: one is the Bible, and surprisingly, the other is The Iliad. Each translation can give a different insight and feel to the story. Everyone will have a favorite. I have several. There are partial translations that are worth reading, but as with any abridgment or incomplete Iliad, you will never know what is missing. Our story takes place in the ninth year of the ongoing war. We get some introduction to the first nine years, but they are just a background to this tale of pride, sorrow, and revenge. The story will also end abruptly before the end of the war. We have a wide conflict between the Trojans and Achaeans over a matter of pride; the gods get to take sides and many times direct spears and shields. Although the more focused conflict is the power struggle between two different types of power. That of Achilles, son of Peleus and the greatest individual warrior, and that of Agamemnon, lord of men, whose power comes from his position. We are treated to a blow-by-blow inside story as to what each is thinking and an unvarnished description of the perils of war and the search for Arête (to be more like Aries, God of War). Next, before reading the Odyssey, you will want to bridge the gap with “The War at Troy: What Homer Didn't Tell” by Quintus of Smyrna.