The Iliad

Homer

Apr 2017 · Open Road Media

About this ebook

Alexander Pope’s beautiful verse translation of the Ancient Greek epic of the Trojan War.

One of the oldest surviving works in Western literature, Homer’s epic poem has captivated readers for millennia. Set at the end of the Greeks’ decade-long siege of Troy, it centers on a quarrel between the Greek King Agamemnon and his greatest asset in battle, the warrior Achilles. From this conflict between two great men, The Iliad weaves a tale of warring nations, vengeful gods, plagues, betrayals, and the terrible consequences of prideful rage.
 
This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

“Many consider [Pope’s translation] the greatest English Iliad. . . . It manages to convey not only the stateliness and grandeur of Homer’s lines, but their speed and wit and vividness.” —The New Yorker
 
“Pope worked miracles. . . ,This is a poem you can live your way into, over the years, since it yields more at every encounter.” —TheNew York Times

About the author

Homer, a Greek poet best known for The Odyssey and The Iliad, was likely born sometime between 750 BC and 1200 BC. Some historians believe he was an individual man, while others believe he did not exist at all and instead was the combination of multiple Greek poets. It is also surmised that Homer was blind, but this is derived from the character Demodokos in The Odyssey. Although his history remains one of the greatest literary mysteries, Homer is widely considered one of the most profound poets and storytellers of all time.