I’m often kept up at night, brooding on my troubles.

Wishing I could find some solace that would help me sleep.

But now I know that the best way to keep insomnia at bay is to get out of bed, hitch up my chariot, tie the corpse of my mortal enemy to the back, and drive around for a few hours, dragging him, until I cheer up and can go back to sleep.

The Iliad is, in my reading, unmatched for works that describe the bloody, ridiculous, selfish lengths people will go in order to feel better.

The sticks and stones fly (and gouge out eyes, smash skulls, slash livers and veins until the blood sprays – this poem is definitely not for the squeamish).

But the real weapons of the Trojan War are name-calling, cheating at games, and stealing your best buddy’s girlfriend or mixing bowl or ox.

Most of the action occurs when somebody gets his feelings hurt, the baddie won’t apologize, and the sensitive one throws a fit.

This can involve letting all of his friends die while he gets an olive-oil massage, or else razing a city, raping the women, and joyriding over other men’s bones.

The Iliad suggests that even at its most glorious, war can be advocated only by people with the emotional lives of spoiled four-year-olds.

For more thoughts, see my post: http://alisonkinney.com/2015/07/23/ho...

The Iliad is an epic poem that tells the story of the Trojan War. It begins with the invocation to the muse, asking her to sing of the rage of Achilles. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I expected. It took me a long time to read and I found some parts to be quite dragging.

The parts that dragged the most for me were Book 2 with the naming of all the ships and captains, Book 12 or 13 with the huge fighting scenes, and Book 22 about the funeral games. I had to force myself to read these parts and sometimes I even skimmed. However, I did enjoy seeing the Gods get involved in the war. Their pettiness and how they played with mortal lives was quite entertaining. I also liked seeing Eris, who caused the start of the Trojan War.

Another enjoyable aspect was seeing what happened to Aeneas. I haven't read The Aenid yet, but this gave me a glimpse into his story before that book. I was also interested in seeing more of Patroclus and Achilles, especially after reading Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles. However, Achilles was in a strop for most of the book and didn't get involved until the end. I did like the scenes between him and Patroclus though.

Overall, I would say that The Iliad is definitely worth reading if you love action. There is a lot of it and it is very bloody. However, the many names in the fighting scenes can be a bit overwhelming. Also, my edition sometimes used Roman names or switched between the two, which could be confusing. But despite these drawbacks, it is still a great work of literature.

Oh my favourite sins!!! To be enjoyed on this thirteenth stop on the world tour - Ancient Greece.

Pride, wrath, revenge, honour, anger, stubbornness, and the relentless pursuit of glory in war. All these are constant themes in this godly work of art. It is a giant in Greek Mythology, a poetic masterpiece that is complex, filled with numerous characters and an abundance of Olympian gods. It is fascinating, timeless, and unforgettable, yet not an easy read.

I wish I had reviewed this when I read it in my teens. Now, I have so many images of Achilles - not just the great warrior but also the tempestuous and sulking little devil that the book does not shy away from portraying. In fact, much of this book is set years into the Trojan Wars and begins with a quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon. This results in Achilles refusing to fight because of the dishonour Agamemnon shows him by stealing his female slave. And so, this deadly game of war, revenge, and power ensues between the Trojans, Achaeans, Greek heroes, and Olympian gods, all leaving their mark on this richly observed story/poem.

The contrast of courage and petty quarrels, not just among the human characters but also the Greek gods, is truly fascinating. So too are the themes that make this historical account captivating and compelling.

I also loved the book ‘Song of Achilles’ as I felt it was more in line with the way Achilles is portrayed in The Iliad. Watching the films, although they are blockbusters, they are not how Homer depicted the great warrior Achilles, who was flawed, stubborn, and driven more by rage than common sense.

The Iliad is one of those books you should read in your lifetime. However, going in, remember it’s not what you see in the movies. This is Homer’s story and how he wants you to enjoy this godly world and Greek Mythology.

It is everything you would expect from Greek literature - dramatic, tragic, and heroic.

So, what do you expect me to say about this?

The first thing that comes to my mind is to consider how incredibly fortunate we are to have something like this. This poem, which remained unwritten for centuries, managed to find its way into writing and overcome all kinds of historical hurdles. And it has had a remarkable life. Many important figures have read it and carried it with them, drawing various inspirations from it. Julius Caesar visited Troy and even contemplated moving the capital of the Empire there. After all, he claimed to be descended from one of the Trojans, from Aeneas’s son Ascanius, or rather, Iulus (from which the Gens Julia). Charles V also had the book with him during his campaign in Tunis. And the list goes on.

I have read the Lattimore translation, along with the Companion. This was my second reading, and what led me to revisit it was my desire to read the Aeneid, which, embarrassingly, I have not read yet. I also wanted to trace Aeneas, but for different reasons than Julius Caesar. Another character I paid attention to was Idomeneo, and that was because of Mozart’s opera, one of his earliest and a very beautiful one.

Even though I was already aware that the Iliad is just a short episode of the lengthy war, it became even clearer to me this time that this is really the Song of Achilles. If Troy was supposedly brought about by Paris stealing Helen, the Iliad is the story of Agamemnon stealing Briseis and the anger and stubbornness of the warrior from Phtia. Hektor comes across as the hero most appealing to a modern audience. He fights because he has to. He does not display the warmongering tendencies of his companions in the epic. And it made me want to reread Racine’s Andromaque soon, one of my favorites from the French dramatist, which I saw years ago on the stage of the Comédie française.

There are also funny scenes. There is a bit of a slapstick character in Book 21 when the river Skamandros pursues Achilles, and the great hero then blames his mother.

Modern versions of the epic often feel uncomfortable with the Olympian pantheon and tend to cut back on the narrative of the battalion of deities. This is very unfortunate; I found the rivalries, tricks, and deceptions of these frenzied beings extremely engaging.

For those who are first-time readers of Homer or those who simply wish to explore or completely immerse themselves in the Classics canon, Robert Fagles is the ideal choice.

His work offers an immensely readable and vivid account of the treacherous deeds of both mortals and Gods. It comes with a fine introduction by Bernard Knox, which provides valuable context and insights. Additionally, there is plenty of helpful support such as a cast list, orientation, and pronunciation guides.

Fagles truly brings this fabulous epic to life, making it sing with his masterful translation. His work is a remarkable combination of scholarship and beauty, a magnificent achievement that allows readers to experience the grandeur and power of Homer's Iliad in a whole new way.

Whether you are a seasoned lover of the Classics or a newcomer eager to discover their wonders, Robert Fagles' translation of the Iliad is a must-read.

I would absolutely love to write in a manner that is like a sudden and powerful squall.

Imagine a squall with its strong five-beat rhythm, capable of bringing both light and thunder. It has the ability to churn the原本平淡的dark page into a state of fury.

And within this turmoil, countless words surge and toss on the pages, rising high like waves with arched backs and white caps.

These words then crash down onto the Internets in endless ranks, just as the translators charged forward in their own orderly ranks, with each simile packed closely together.

The power and energy of this writing style would be truly captivating and would leave a lasting impact on the readers.

**Title: The Iliad - A Graphic and Thought-Provoking Epic**

The Iliad is a remarkable work that offers a wealth of insights and surprises.

What I learned from this book (in no particular order):
1. Ancient Greek wars were influenced by the marital and sibling issues in the divine household of Zeus and Hera.
2. Zeus, the so-called "father of gods and men," was a henpecked husband and even prone to domestic abuse.
3. Disrespecting Apollo's priest's daughter as war booty could lead to a plague and the need for a grand sacrifice.
4. Arrows and spears in battle often targeted the nipple or could pierce the helmet and splatter the brain.
5. Paris is not just a name for cities or bratty heiresses but a proper guy's name.
6. Achilles, despite being depicted in a man skirt in the movie Troy, is an extremely badass warrior.
7. Real men in the Iliad ate specific types of red meat, including sheep chines, fat goats, and marbled pig cuts.
8. The most valuable booty included bronze tripods, armors, swift war stallions, and pretty women, with lesbians being particularly prized.
9. Sacking enemy cities, plundering wealth, killing men, bedding women, and enslaving children was considered glorious for warriors.
10. Women in the Iliad could play various roles, such as a runaway wife, a war booty with Stockholm Syndrome, a manipulative goddess, or a long-suffering wife and mother. However, they were always at the center of conflict between men.

What I find most surprising about the Iliad is the graphic and X-rated violence it contains. The detailed descriptions of anatomically precise, brain-splattering, and gut-spilling action scenes are both voyeuristically gory and tedious to read after a while. The sheer amount of such scenes and their repetitiveness make it a challenging read.

The purpose of such meticulously catalogued carnage is open to interpretation. Was Homer trying to shock his audience into pacifism or simply write a blockbuster action-adventure story for his young male readers? The Iliad both celebrates and laments the warrior spirit, showing the pride, vengeance, and plunder that drive men to war, as well as the tragic consequences.

Personally, I find the gods' politicking and manipulations more interesting than the actual war. The Greek gods, free from human morality, act on caprice and petty grievances, providing a more straightforward explanation for the events in the story.

The story becomes even more engaging in the last five books when the Olympian gods enter the fray, creating scenes that are almost like a WWE SmackDown or an episode of Super Friends. Although the gods are "deathless," the cost of battle to mortal men is heavy.

In the end, Homer shows us the real cost of war, both on the vanquished and the triumphant. The fate of Achilles, like that of all tragic humanity, is to suffer and die at the hands of callous and immoral gods. The Iliad is a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to captivate readers with its vivid descriptions, complex characters, and profound themes.

I truly relished this. This story is one of those omnipresent works of art that are widely known even before they are read. The account of this war has been adapted in numerous films, referenced for centuries in other works, and has also given rise to retellings. As a result, by the time I got around to reading it, I already had certain conceptions (both accurate and inaccurate) about the book.

It is a tale of two warring factions. One of the preconceived notions I had about this book was that it was mainly a glorification of war. However, while there is some glorification of certain heroes and passages of war, it mostly laments the murder, slaughter, and loss inflicted by war. The humanization of both warring sides (the Achaians and the Trojans, and their supporters among the gods) was astonishing to read and unexpected on my part. For example, in a particular passage, Hektor returns to his city and meets his wife and child to bid them farewell. The child, still a baby, fails to recognize his father due to the war gear and starts to cry, while his father laughs. Such touching passages amid all that murder and killing added a deeper impact to the story.

Moreover, as mentioned, there is a great deal of warring. The meticulous descriptions of the weapons of the era in which this story takes place were fascinating. Here, people kill each other with arrows, spears, and stones in ways I never imagined possible. Consider any way a person might perish from these weapons, and they most likely did so in the story. And throughout all this, the exploration of the human experience, the contradictions that arise in life, the stories of adventure and courage - no wonder this story has endured and captivated readers for centuries as it has.

As a native English speaker, I'm not exposed to translated books very often. So this reread is the first time where I have truly comprehended the significance of a translation and how it can either make or break a story.

I first read parts of ‘the Iliad’ back when I was in school. I just remember the text being very stiff and formal. It did not hold my attention at all because I couldn't understand it. But as I have come to love this story over the years (through retellings and other media), I decided to give this another try. After a lot of research, I chose this edition and translation. I cannot stress enough how it has made all the difference.

The epic of ‘the Iliad’ has its roots in oral storytelling. I am so impressed at how the flow of the language in this feels like someone is sitting next to me, personally telling me a tale about the best of Greeks and their plight against the Trojans. It's a really neat feeling to experience such an authentic nod to Homer and how he told this story, almost to the point where I feel as if I have been a part of this epic's great history.

↠ 5 stars

The Iliad is an ancient epic poem that dates back to a time before the invention of writing, most likely composed no later than the 7th BCE. It chronicles the events of the Trojan War, which lasted for a decade but focuses on a period of just 7 - 8 weeks. The characters in the poem are highly regarded for their qualities such as honor, courage, skillfulness, and strength, which are considered above all other human virtues.

For a long time, the Trojan War was thought to be a purely mythological event. However, the discovery of Troy in the 19th century has made The Iliad somewhat of an actual historical account. Although it is still a historical event that the poet has intertwined with dramatic fictional stories, fueled by a vivid imagination.

There is also a belief that "Homer" may not be the actual name of the poet who wrote The Iliad. Instead, "Homer" could simply mean "compiler", so we may never know the writer's personal name, only their profession. Additionally, the idea that Homer was blind is hard to believe for many, considering his ability to describe external events so clearly.

The characters in Homer's work are extremely religious and dedicated to their gods. The gods are actively involved in the lives of everyday people and use their divine powers for both good and evil. One interesting aspect of the story is the belief that life is not only governed by destiny but that one's destiny is above the gods. The gods submit to destiny and are there to ensure that it is fulfilled and not disturbed.

I initially started reading the English translation of The Iliad by George Chapman but soon realized it wasn't suitable for me. So, I switched to a translation in my native language and enjoyed it much more. I was also looking forward to the events surrounding the Trojan Horse, but it was not mentioned in The Iliad. Finally, the sight of the all-powerful and brave Achilles openly weeping over the death of his dear friend Patroclus is yet another confirmation that it is acceptable for grown men to cry publicly.

I have a great desire to read about ancient gay people. It is truly fascinating to explore the lives and experiences of those who loved and formed relationships outside the traditional norms in ancient times. Understanding their stories can provide us with a deeper insight into the social, cultural, and historical contexts of different eras.

Ancient civilizations had diverse attitudes towards same-sex relationships. Some cultures were more accepting, while others were more restrictive. By studying the records and accounts left behind, we can piece together a picture of how these individuals navigated their lives and relationships.

Reading about ancient gay people can also challenge our modern-day assumptions and prejudices. It reminds us that love and human connection have always existed in various forms, regardless of the time period or cultural background. It enriches our understanding of the complexity and diversity of human sexuality throughout history.

I read the Iliad. And well, I suppose it was what I expected. It's very slow and meandering, with just one event after another. There's no real effort made to create a connection for the reader to be connected at all with either the plot or the characters. It's really quite told in a distant way. As someone who is used to reading modern books, which are really about being connected with the characters and the plot, this was a bit of a challenge.

My first attempt to read the book was, I think, last year. But I didn't get very far as it's not the easiest read. However, after reading The Song of Achilles, which I loved not too long ago, I thought I would pick this up again, now that the context is much clearer. I didn't love it as much as The Song of Achilles, even though that novel is a retelling of this one. But it did mean I was able to follow this one along just fine, even though there are so many names to keep track of, and I was able to get through all of it.

Now, while I am reading a translated version of the text (as unfortunately, I am not familiar with Ancient Greek), it is interesting to still look at some of the ways this is worded. I found it oddly amusing that there was generally always some sort of description whenever a name of a character was mentioned. Instead of just saying Achilles, it was always something like, the son of Peleus, Achilles, or godlike Achilles. While it was almost funny at first seeing all the characters being introduced like this, it did start to get incredibly repetitive and annoying. And in terms of modern writing, it is so unnecessary to provide a short description every time, no matter how minor a character pops up.

This book, which is set during the last few stages of the Trojan War, features a lot of battle sequences. And as a huge reader of modern fantasy, the way that action is written has changed drastically. I honestly prefer the way action is written now, where a lot of the time it is quick, tense sequences, largely from the character's perspective, and the reader really gets to feel the adrenaline pumping through them. Here, everything just sort of casually moves along, and some elements are described in excruciating detail. It was certainly interesting to see how many soldiers' names are listed, but the truth was that I didn't really care less. Even though there are these massive grand action sequences on an epic scale featuring literal gods, they weren't written in a way that was actually exciting.

Now, I'm sure there are lots of elitists out there who would be like "but you don't understand, you uneducated swine". And sure, maybe I don't. Maybe this is a genius piece of art, and I simply cannot fathom how brilliant it is. Or, maybe it's something a white dude came up with almost 3,000 years ago, and it's time to move on to newer, more refreshing stories.
Naturally, Homer, or at least, the person we tend to think of as Homer, wasn't actually born hundreds of years later after the supposed Trojan War. I find it fascinating how people, just over time, find it difficult to tell the difference between myth and truth, and how it is almost easier to accept that gods walked amongst us once, and how the truth happens to be bent when stories are passed down orally.
I perfectly understand how important this story is in western literature. Yet, as I found it to be overly slow and slightly repetitive, from a modern standpoint, it failed to wow me. I get the value of this, yet if someone was to write like this now, where there is no character development, where the book is very repetitive, and where the plot trudges very slowly along, it would be nowhere near as popular. A part of why this is still such a famous text is undoubtedly the fact that it was written so long ago.
Anyways, it was okay, I suppose, and now I can say I've read the Iliad. Was it worth it? I mean, sure. It didn't blow me away or anything, but I also didn't expect it to. 5.5/10