The Iliad (Penguin Classics)

This story began to circulate as part of an oral tradition around 3000 years ago. It is based on the military values of the Greeks and espouses the issues of valour, bravey, and honour that were an integral part of society in the ancient Greek world, and in numerous centuries of previous 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.

The rise of Western literature (12/20 people found this helpful)

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.)

Thousands of years old, and still relevent (24/39 people found this helpful)

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

The Iliad (Penguin Classics)

Homer

Reader Reviews:

Buy this book (9/15 people found this helpful)

The rise of Western literature (12/20 people found this helpful)

Thousands of years old, and still relevent (24/39 people found this helpful)

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