The Iliad of Homer

Homer

Aug 2016 · Author's Republic · Narrated by Uncredited

About this audiobook

The Iliad has stood the test of time and is still one of (it not the) best depictions of ancient warfare.


Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy (Ilium) by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. Although the story covers only a few weeks in the final year of the war, the Iliad mentions or alludes to many of the Greek legends about the siege; the earlier events, such as the gathering of warriors for the siege, the cause of the war, and related concerns tend to appear near the beginning. Then the epic narrative takes up events prophesied for the future, such as Achilles' looming death and the sack of Troy, prefigured and alluded to more and more vividly, so that when it reaches an end, the poem has told a more or less complete tale of the Trojan War.

Ratings and reviews

The central figure of the epic, Achilles is a complex and compelling character who undergoes a transformative journey. Initially motivated by his desire for glory, he grapples with questions of mortality, honor, and the value of human life. Hector: As the noble prince of Troy and a devoted husband and father, Hector embodies the ideals of heroism and duty. His tragic fate and courageous defense of his city make him one of the most sympathetic characters in the poem.

The poem grapples with the tension between destiny and individual agency. While the gods manipulate events and dictate the outcomes of battles, mortals like Achilles wrestle with their own choices and their consequences. Grief and Loss: "The Iliad" explores the human toll of war, depicting the anguish of soldiers and their loved ones as they confront death and devastation. Achilles' grief over the death of his companion Patroclus serves as a poignant reminder of the personal cost of conflict.

Throughout the epic, the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus intervene in the affairs of mortals, shaping the course of the war and influencing the fate of individual characters. The themes of fate, honor, glory, and the consequences of human actions are central to the narrative.