An ancient Greek epic which underpins the whole of western literature, Homer's The Iliad is a timeless evocation of the struggle to retain a sense of honour and 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 and final year of the war between the Greeks and the Trojans. It describes how the quarrel of Agamemnon and Achilleus sets in motion a tragic sequence of events, which leads to Achilleus' killing of Hektor and determines the ultimate fate of Troy. But Homer's theme is not simply war or heroism. With compassion and humanity he presents a universal and tragic view of the world, of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death, set against a vast and largely unpitying divine background. The Iliad is the first of the world's great tragedies.
Martin Hammond's acclaimed translation is accompanied by a full introduction and 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 and 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.
'Martin Hammond's modern prose version is the best and most accurate there has ever been'
Peter Levi, Independent
'A fine Iliad for our times'
Philip Howard, The Times
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Much the best modern prose translation of the Iliad (Robin Lane Fox Financial Times)
This new prose translation of the Iliad is outstandingly good . . . to read it is to be gripped by it (Classical Review)
Superbly direct and eloquent . . . by its sensitivity, fluency, and flexibility, it will win a permanent place on the shelves of Homer-lovers (Martin Fagg Times Educational Supplement)
Martin Hammond's new version is the best and most accurate there has ever been, as smooth as cream but as clear as water . . . Hammond's Iliad deserves to become a standard book (Peter Levi Independent)
Surely the best Iliad in quite a few decades (Greece & Rome Journal)
Here is a fine Iliad for our times, to be read with great pleasure (Philip Howard The Times)
A stunning new translation of the classic tale of the fall of Troy from one of the world's finest translators. If you enjoyed THE SONG OF ACHILLES, discover the original and the best...
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6959-GRD-9780140444445
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Reprint. Language: English. Brand new Book. 'The best modern prose translation of The Iliad' Robin Lane Fox, The TimesThe first of the world's great tragedies, The Iliad centres on the pivotal four days towards the end of the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. In a series of dramatic set pieces, it follows the story of the humiliation of Achilleus at the hands of Agamemnon and his slaying of Hektor: a barbarous act with repercussions that ultimately determine the fate of Troy. The Iliad not only paints an intimate picture of individual experience, but also offers a universal perspective in which human loss and suffering are set against a vast and unpitying divine background where fickle, quarrelsome gods decide the fate of men.Translated with an Introduction by Martin Hammond. Seller Inventory # FOY9780140444445
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Language: ENG. Seller Inventory # 9780140444445
Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 6959-PEN-9780140444445
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. The story centres on the critical events in four days of the 10th and final year of the war between the Greeks and Trojans. It describes how the quarrel of Agamemnon and Achilleus sets in motion a tragic sequence of events, which leads to Achilleus' killing of Hektor and determines the ultimate fate of Troy. But Homer's theme is not simply war or heroism. With compassion and humanity he presents a universal and tragic view of the world, of human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death, set against a vast and largely unpitying divine background. 'In Robert Fagles' beautifully rendered text, the Iliad overwhelms us afresh. The huge themes—godlike, yet utterly human—of savagery and calculation, of destiny defied, of triumph and grief compel our own humanity. Time after time, one pauses and re-reads before continuing. Fagles' voice is always that of a poet and scholar of our own age as he conveys the power of Homer. Robert Fagles and Bernard Knox are to be congratulated and praised on this admirable work. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780140444445
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 528. Seller Inventory # 26657566
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Reprint. Language: English. Brand new Book. 'The best modern prose translation of The Iliad' Robin Lane Fox, The TimesThe first of the world's great tragedies, The Iliad centres on the pivotal four days towards the end of the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. In a series of dramatic set pieces, it follows the story of the humiliation of Achilleus at the hands of Agamemnon and his slaying of Hektor: a barbarous act with repercussions that ultimately determine the fate of Troy. The Iliad not only paints an intimate picture of individual experience, but also offers a universal perspective in which human loss and suffering are set against a vast and unpitying divine background where fickle, quarrelsome gods decide the fate of men.Translated with an Introduction by Martin Hammond. Seller Inventory # AAZ9780140444445
Book Description Condition: New. pp. 528. Seller Inventory # 8238913