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The Iliad (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

by Homer (Author), E V Rieu (Translator) "The Greek army is led by Agamemnon (son of Atreus) ..." (more)
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 576 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; Rev Ed edition (30 Jan 2003)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140447946
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140447941
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 6,087 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #1 in  Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Poetry > Genres > War
    #2 in  Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Poetry > Genres > Myths
    #3 in  Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Poetry > Genres > Epics

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Product Description

Product Description
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, and 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 - although knowing this will ensure his own early death. Interwoven with this tragic sequence of events are powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium, and of the conflicts between the Gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals.

About the Author
Homer is thought to have lived c.750-700 BC in Ionia and is believed to be the author of the earliest works of Western Literature: The Odyssey and The Iliad. E V Rieu was a celebrated translator from Latin and Greek, and editor of Penguin Classics from 1944-64. His son, D C H Rieu, has revised his work. Peter Jones is former lecturer in Classics at Newcastle. He co-founded the 'Friends of Classics' society and is the editor of their journal and a columnist for The Spectator.
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The Greek army is led by Agamemnon (son of Atreus). Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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7 Reviews
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27 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thousands of years old, and still relevent, 28 May 2003
There are many theories and arguements over did Homer actually tell the story or was is someone else, or many people etc - but it doesnt taint the powerful story that the Illiad is.
It is a good book because the themes addressed are still relevent to todays society, especially at this time of war and conflict in the world. It is a tale about war, and how it affects the human mind. The world was a beautiful, peaceful place untill the Trojan war started over just one girl, and the honour she represents - and now the war has been fought for so long, it looks like that the war will not only kill people, warriors, women and children, but will kill a civilisation and destruct a way of life and serenity that will never be felt again by anyone. But the gods remain as aloof as ever before.
This tale of Achilles and the war is powerful, and the touching moments of Hector and Andromache, or the lonely death of Patroclus will make even the coldest heart cry out.
So let out a wild war cry - let the gods meddle with your world and let this powerful poem overwhelm you
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12 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The rise of Western literature, 17 Feb 2005
The subject of this book may not have been seen as something new. Since hundreds of stories and tales had been already told and written down by the time that Homerus started this one which where very similar in style and storyline. So what is that makes Iliad so special.

Well for one thing it is the first real work of Western literature but that doesn't make it great does it?

No the thing that makes this piece of work is first of all some of the ideas that are hidden behind it which where very radical at the time that this story first occurred. The most important one of them from my point of view is the fact that in this story war isn't seen as something glorious as it was still seen by many in those days (and sadly enough still is seen by many in our time.) The mane hero of this story Achilles is even trying to avoid its horrors during the whole of the story. Some of the actions in the course of story aren't even heroic but rather degrading for the characters in the story. Like for instance the night attack in book 10.

Second of all Homer is the guy who helped to shape the whole Greek religion by giving the Gods background stories and explaining their connections whit each other. And giving them numerous human qualities like the fact that they are forced to eat, drink and sleep. They show human emotions like hatred, love and pain.

Homerus has also asked us a very important question during the coarse of this book namely what is ones life worth? What is friendship worth?

And finally he has delivered us a human tragedy which remains relevant even although ages have passed by between its creation and Homer himself has fallen into oblivions for the only thing known about him remain his works and we aren't even certain wheatear he has written them.

So don't hesitate about whether to purchase this book (or borrow it from your local library). And as for the translation although it is over 50 years in age it is surprisingly modern and easy to read (although I have doubts about the added in my opinion completely useless notes and arguments.)

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9 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book, 17 Mar 2007
By Claire Gordon - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This story began to circulate as part of an oral tradition around 3000 years ago. It is based on the military character of the Greeks and espouses the values of valour, bravey, and honour that were an integral part of society in the ancient Greek world, and through numerous subsequent generations. Achilles, although considered a hero by the Greeks, shuns participation in the fighting because of a desire to protect his honour. Hector experiences numerous sucesses in leading campaigns against the Greeks, but is eventually defeated when Achilles re-joins the war and uses his influence with the gods to defeat him. This text epitomizes the iniquities and uncertainties of war. If you read past the mythical fairytale of gods and heroes then you can truely understand the terrifying experiences of hand-to-hand combat that men faced in the ancient world. You can understand the bitterness involved in conflict and the pain experienced by compatriates of the casualties of war. The issues involved in this book are timeless, and even in the age of modern combat, the pain that radiates around them remains.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Relentless action!
The Iliad is a masterpiece and one of the foremost achievements of Western Literature. However to me it is also a high-adrenalin, non-stop thriller, depicting battle scenes to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by G. S. Corbett

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important works of literature ever - and a damned good read too
This is the third time I've read this. Well, the third time I've started reading it, and the second time I've finished it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by D. R. Cantrell

3.0 out of 5 stars Long but fascinating
Long winded at times, especially when listing men dying in battle, or crews of ships, complete with family histories and quirks, and it does only cover a few weeks when the Greeks... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. M. Jones

1.0 out of 5 stars Penguin have destroyed a classic
To be quite honest its hardly worth them calling this the Iliad. They have ripped the poetic beauty out of this Epic and condensed it into a dusty and boring prose. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. R. M. Black

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