This is a must-read for every Italian boy and girl at school.

Many years ago, the Ministry of Education included it with Dante and Manzoni as a fixed program for all young Italians to study. We start to study "Iliade" from middle school and continue up to high school.

And then, if you choose humanistic studies at college. I will never forget my teacher at the "Liceo Classico", a kind of "Classical studies high school", who gifted us with brilliant lessons about Dante, Boccaccio, Petrarca, Manzoni, Omero, and Virgilio, and so on.

And then, with our teacher for Latin and ancient Greek, we studied tragedies and other masterpieces, translating them into Italian. The program was so difficult that an American teacher we met during an exchange program told us that what we were doing was used to be studied during the 3rd year of college for classic studies in the US.

Now, at 43 years old, I can only say how lucky I have been to meet such persons, teachers who loved their studies and their jobs!!

(Forgive me, despite my husband being American and my kids being bilingual, I continue to be a mess in written English!!)

Paris was the second son of Priam, the king of Troy. Before his birth, the prophets had warned that he would be the cause of the destruction of Troy.

The king, Priam, ordered Paris to be taken to the mountains and left there to die. However, a shepherd found him and raised him.

In his youth, when his favorite cow was seized by Priam's order for a competition prize, Paris participated in the competition to get the cow back and defeated all of Priam's sons. Cassandra, his sister, recognized him and Paris returned home.

Zeus, the king of the gods, held a wedding feast for Peleus, a famous hero, and Thetis, a sea goddess. (The result of this marriage was Achilles.) Eris, the goddess of discord, was not invited to the ceremony and therefore threw a golden apple into the ceremony on which was written "for the fairest goddess". Three goddesses, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite, claimed ownership of the apple. Zeus assigned the judgment to Paris.

All three goddesses showed Paris their naked bodies and made offers to win his favor. Hera offered him the kingship of Europe and Asia, Athena offered him wisdom and skill in war, and Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. Paris accepted Aphrodite's offer.

Helen had many suitors and her father promised all of them that they would be the protectors of the chosen one of Helen. Helen chose Menelaus. When Helen fled with Paris, all the suitors came to war against Troy because of the promise they had made.

In the Trojan War, Zeus and Aphrodite supported the Trojans, while Hera and Athena, because of their grudge against Paris, supported the Greeks. The Iliad is a book about the last year of the war and the siege of Troy by the Greeks, where Achilles has withdrawn from the war because of a dispute with Agamemnon and Hector, Paris' brother, is the sole hero of the battlefield. But events bring Achilles back to the battlefield until the end of the war....

Normally, I should subtract one star from all the books that have fallen into my hands until today.

And here's my explanation.

Many, many years ago, when I first read "The Name of the Rose", there was a scene at the beginning of the book where Eco describes with the note "painting is the literature of the poor" a fresco that decorates the walls of the monastery. In about ten pages, an entire universe is blown up, lives and people and loves and bitternesses and colorful images, a succession of interconnected worlds related to a single humble wall painting.

I admit that I have never read the Iliad in its entirety. I always thought that "I know the story, let alone I have seen the movie with Brad Pitt", I always thought that it ends with the Trojan Horse. Unfortunately for me, Book Omega ends with "and so Hector was buried" (wtf!!!!). And this is because, like all of us, I was taught it in school the wrong way. But I always had in my heart Book Sigma, in which the poet describes in four pages the shield of Achilles, which Hephaestus himself made after the death of Patroclus at the behest of Thetis so that the hero could avenge the death of his brotherly friend with the honors due to a god. And I had never made the connection with the divine Umberto and the way he had chosen to give honors to the Absolute Literary Masterpiece of all time, to the most beautiful fairytale in the world.

The complexity of the universe of characters and their development, the battles and above all the respect with which all of them, constantly standing both against the gods and against their enemies, is enough in itself to put the work that is characterized by all as "the definition of the epic" in the position of the most important book that has ever fallen into my hands. And everything else is just a coincidence, such as the fact that the Iliad is taught in schools all over the world, as well as the fact that Kazantzakis dedicated a significant part of his life to the translation of the work (Kakridis in the introduction of the Odyssey mentions that it was published in 1955 after a work that lasted a total of 14 years!).

Because the Iliad is not only the incredibly storied moments of the battle, it is not the bitterness for the horrors of war, it is not the countless superheroes who constantly escape death with the interventions of the gods, it is not the cowardly Agamemnon, it is not the resourceful Odysseus, it is not the bestial Ajax, it is not Paris who gives nothing back for his Helen, it is not the happy Priam, it is the way in which all have learned and face the flow of life and their posthumous reputation. The battles are completed with honors and gifts to the opponents and sacrifices to the gods, the truces never cease, those who plunder the dead have a bad end, friends and enemies eat at the same table, and death constantly awaits mortals and immortals, yet no one ever fears it and runs away like a coward.

In a few words.

Epic.

Fellas, here's a thought-provoking question for you. Is it considered gay to have a desire that your dear companion's ashes and yours be combined and buried in the same place? This idea of being together even in death seems to carry a certain depth of情感 and connection. It goes beyond the boundaries of traditional relationships and makes one wonder about the true nature of love and companionship. Maybe it's not about sexual orientation at all, but rather about the intense bond that exists between two people. Could it be that this longing for eternal togetherness is a sign of a love that transcends the physical realm? It's a topic that surely sparks debate and makes us reflect on our own观念 of love and what it means to be truly connected with someone.

If you believe in fate, then I was fated to finish this book. It's one of those books that I opened, read a few pages of, and then set aside because I borrowed another book that seemed more appealing at the time. But as I finally completed this one, I couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion. In a parallel Earth, I might not have been alive to finish it.

One of my biggest concerns while reading the end of this book was the fate of the Trojan Horse and how Achilles would meet his end. I was worried that this part of the story would be rushed or lacking in detail. However, to my relief, the author did a great job of tying up loose ends and providing a satisfying conclusion.

The story of the Trojan War is a complex and fascinating one, filled with heroes, gods, and epic battles. It's a war of honor, where the blame falls mainly on Paris for not returning Helen to her rightful husband. Hector, on the other hand, is a noble defender of his city, and Achilles is seeking revenge for the death of his friend.

Reading this book also made me realize how advanced the ancient Greeks were in their knowledge of the human body. They knew the names and functions of every organ, and even had words to describe specific types of ships and clothing. It's amazing to think that they were able to achieve so much with the limited technology and resources available to them.

However, like all ancient literature, this book also has its flaws. The treatment of slaves is particularly offensive, and the constant interference of the gods can sometimes feel a bit tiresome. But despite these shortcomings, the magical atmosphere and rich mythology of ancient Greek literature are truly captivating.

I'm looking forward to reading more of these great epics in the future, such as the Odyssey and the Aeneid. Who knows what other adventures and discoveries await me?

What I got from The Iliad:

The pantheon of Greek gods was truly a dysfunctional family of epic proportions. Zeus, the king of the gods, was not only the most indecisive but also a rather terrible father. He was so afraid of losing face that he chose not to save his own son, preferring instead to let them all perish.

The only real difference between mortals and gods seemed to be immortality and power. Every moment of a mortal's life was at the mercy of the gods, who could manipulate their emotions and fates on a whim.

Heroes were only heroes if the gods willed it. One could go from being irrational to brave, or filled with fear to strong, in an instant, depending on how the gods made them feel.

The struggle of men and their endurance in life, even as the gods doomed them, was truly admirable. However, women, both mortal and immortal, were often treated as mere decorations, prizes, or spoils of war. They could only, perhaps, get their way through manipulation.

Men were only considered worthy if they were warriors who gained fame by sacking cities, stealing, enslaving, and raping women, essentially becoming mass murderers. Captured women, it seemed, often developed a severe case of Stockholm syndrome, wailing for the death of their captors.

Interestingly, a captured woman skilled in all arts was worth only 4 oxen, while a tripod was worth 12 oxen.

The gods were like cheats in a game. One should never, ever brag in front of them, or else they and their entire family would suffer the most terrible death.

To read a work that is over 2000 years old is in itself a great fortune. To travel back in time and catch a glimpse of the culture, values, life, and beliefs that shaped this literature is a privilege. The fact that it was passed orally through multiple generations and has persisted to this day is truly majestic and raises the question of why and what it says about us.

Konačan review: I have learned to use the re-read option on the noble Gudrids, and now I can happily say - I have finally read the entire Iliad as it should be, without the help of the abridged version, which was the case in school when this book was on the reading list. And frankly, if someone tells me that they managed to read all of this for a reading assignment as a 15-year-old who still has other reading assignments + learning other materials, they are lying and I don't believe them at all and they can be offended if they want, I couldn't care less.

..............................................................................................

Let a written trace remain as an eternal witness,

That I don't know how to use the noble Gudrids stupidly,

Nor set the date for re-reading this book,

About the blue-eyed warrior Achilles, Bredu Pitu.

**Title: TrumpIlliad**

The image of TrumpIlliad presented here is quite striking.

It shows a scene that perhaps represents a significant moment or aspect related to Trump. The photo, with its width of 400 pixels and height of 125 pixels, catches the eye.

The link provided leads to a tweet by BrentSirota, which might offer more context or details about this TrumpIlliad.

As we look at the image, we can't help but wonder what the story behind it is.

Is it a work of art that critiques or celebrates Trump? Or perhaps it's a visual representation of a particular event or idea associated with him.

The compressed photo format ensures that it loads quickly, making it easily accessible to viewers.

Overall, this TrumpIlliad image and its accompanying link offer an interesting glimpse into the world of Trump and the various interpretations and representations that surround him.

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La Ilíada is a remarkable work that transports us into a hostile panorama, specifically the famous combat between the Achaeans and the Trojans, which gave rise to the well-known Trojan War. It encompasses a plethora of elements and themes such as Greek mythology, the losses inflicted by war, honor, glory, destiny, heroes and their voyages, vulnerability and pain, anger, pity, and compassion. These are emotions that surface throughout the narrative. The story also delves into the military conflict, betrayal, vengeance, but above all, it showcases the highly marked humanity in the decisions and actions of all the characters, ranging from ordinary humans to demigods and finally to the gods.

However, subjectively, at times I found it boring and at other moments entertaining. I liked it, but in a rather dry way. And of course, it is only a recommended story for readers who have already covered a good portion of literary works because it has a heavy reading, with an abundance of literary figures (epithets, metaphors, analogies, hyperboles, etc.) that can become tiresome due to their repetitiveness.

I have nothing more to contribute except that this is a work that within literature, history, and culturally has meant an enormous amount to the West. As such, it has an abundant and indubitable value that cannot be denied. So, it is more than certain that one can find the subsequent influences drawn from this writing.

Last year, I had the opportunity to attend a conference.

During the conference, one of the speakers made a statement that literature begins with Homer.

As I have a great love for reading, I thought to myself that perhaps I should find out what all the commotion is about regarding the cradle of the written word.

I have never been a fan of poetry, but I told myself that maybe it was time to learn how to appreciate it.

Well, things did not go as smoothly as I had hoped.

I do understand and appreciate the worth of Homer's work, but it was truly a chore to read.

After struggling through about 100 pages or so, I simply had to stop.

I have come to the conclusion that epic poems are just not for me.

I will stick to the types of literature that I enjoy and leave the epic poems to those who have a greater affinity for them.

Maybe one day, I will have a change of heart and be able to fully appreciate the beauty and significance of epic poetry, but for now, I am content with my own literary preferences.

When I was just 2 years old, my grandmother sent me an LP of Prokofiev from Utah to Central Canada. It was set against a storytime backdrop of The Trojan Horse from the Iliad.

The Trojan Horse comes at the conclusion of Homer's epic. Everyone knows the Iliad, and everyone talks about it here. But I want to discuss one forgotten element that is essential for constructing a valid modern worldview for each of us.

I always avoided applying this element to my daily life, but I was wrong. Rei Pasa! These two words, written by Heraclitus, a contemporary of Homer, sum it all up. Everything changes inevitably. As Heraclitus said, “You can’t step into the same river twice!” Everything is in movement.

Homer's epic takes place In Medias Res, in the middle of the chaos of everyday life. That's where we start and finish in our own lives, and it's the only place we'll find peace. It seemed odd to me too.

Back in 1985, my new high-powered career left me harried. I sought solace in Eastern philosophy and New Age Music. But the frenetic pace of work kept accelerating until retirement, and I felt trapped. By 1999, I was burning out. But on an April day twenty years ago, I realized I had to let it all go and give it to God.

That was when I truly understood what In Medias Res meant. It's not our world; it's His. We have to let go and give it away, just like Achilles. That's why Homer is so colossal. There's no other way to peace but at the Eye of the Storm.

The Original Marvel Movie?

On my first reading of The Iliad, what truly struck me was its remarkable resemblance to the blockbusters playing at your local multiplex, rather than to the novels we are accustomed to today. It is astonishingly cinematic, with storytelling techniques that are incredibly familiar. We have sweeping bird's eye views of the battlefield, up-close scenes of famous combatants engaged in one-on-one battles, complete with trash talk. There are also stirring speeches and even the pre-battle montage of the hero donning his shining armour. All that's missing is the rousing soundtrack. However, it is all action and dialogue (with trading card-style bios for the lesser-known heroes to help us keep track), which means it lacks the interiority and reflection we expect from a novel.

The story mainly consists of battle scenes, with interfering gods and goddesses adding interest by playing tug-of-war with the puny mortals, constantly changing the tide of the war between the Trojans and the Achaeans. One thing modern moviemakers can still learn from The Iliad is to abandon the simplistic 'good guys' vs 'bad guys' approach. It is far more engaging when both sides are complex, and we're not sure who to root for.

Even the tedious parts make more sense when we view the whole thing as a movie told in words. Homer has a penchant for extended similes involving lions, dogs, and wild boars for some reason. All this talk of lions and boars can seem a bit clumsy on the page and disrupt the flow of the story. But it also creates the clearest visual image of the action and the physicality of the heroes, surely serving as stage directions for a bard reciting these lines. The fact that we humans have been using the same methods to tell a captivating story for over 3,000 years is a source of joy for me. The Iliad (and other works like it) reminds us of our direct connection through story to the past and to the people of antiquity. It shows that those people were more like us than we often realize. And let's not forget, it's just a really great story.