Iliad, Books 13–24

The scene where Priam begs Achilles for Hector's body back is truly unbeatable in ancient literature.

It is a moment filled with intense emotion and profound human drama. Priam, the grief-stricken father, bravely approaches Achilles, the mighty warrior who has slain his beloved son.

Priam's humility and desperation are palpable as he kneels before Achilles and pleads for the return of Hector's body.

Achilles, on the other hand, is faced with a moral dilemma. He has been consumed by his anger and thirst for revenge, but Priam's words and actions touch his heart.

This scene showcases the complexity of human nature and the power of forgiveness. It is a reminder that even in the midst of war and hatred, there is still room for compassion and mercy.

The encounter between Priam and Achilles is a masterful piece of storytelling that has endured throughout the ages.

Any translation of Greek epic into English is bound to face significant challenges. The English language, unfortunately, is not well-suited to capture the melody and vigor of Homeric or Attic Greek. However, a talented translator can still salvage the situation by infusing their poetry with a flowing lyricism and appropriate dignity, thereby instilling some of the essence of the original. Philip Stanhope Worsley has managed to achieve this and more in his translation of The Iliad.

To enhance the flow within his stanzas, Worsley has chosen to abandon heroic couplets in favor of the Spenserian sonnet. This decision has been highly appreciated and has contributed significantly to the grandeur of the work. Moreover, Worsley presents his subjects with a vocabulary and diction that is worthy of the subject matter, reflecting the depth and gravitas of the original.

I would highly recommend the Worsley translation to anyone in search of an excellent English poetry version of The Iliad. Those who are already familiar with Homer will find great value in the added familiarity. Additionally, fans of Miltonian or romantic poetry will also discover a great deal to enjoy.

Nota Bene: This volume consists of only the last twelve books of The Iliad.

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I have read Homer before, but I recently reread it to rediscover the wonder of the Greeks and Trojans, Achilles, Agamemnon, and Hector.

It is truly a delight to wonder at the Gods and mortals and the role of fate in their enterprise. This mythic epic still speaks to us more than twenty-five hundred years after it first began to be recited by the poet Homer.

After withstanding the rage of Achilles, the Greeks go up against the Trojans led by Achilles' friend Patroclus. However, fate has decreed, and with Apollo's help, Hector brings the final blow down on Patroclus.

At this point, you realize why this poem has been read for millennia and loved by many. This translation is excellent for those who read Greek, with the original Greek on the facing page for reference to the excellent English translation on the right-hand page.

In two volumes, this is indispensable for enjoying the lives and battles. The momentous occasion of Patroclus' death transcends the battle scenes and suggests that it is the fabric of their life that has been rent - not just another battle death. It allows us to truly immerse ourselves in the world of the Greeks and Trojans and experience their joys, sorrows, and struggles.

This book is a bit of a slog to get through.

It requires a certain amount of effort and perseverance to make it all the way to the end. However, one redeeming quality is that the translation flows well.

When read out aloud, the words seem to glide smoothly, making the listening experience quite pleasant.

The translator has done a good job of capturing the essence of the original text and presenting it in a way that is accessible to the reader.

Despite the initial difficulty in getting into the book, the smooth translation makes it worth the effort.

It allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the story and appreciate the nuances and details that might otherwise be lost in a less proficient translation.

Overall, while this book may not be an easy read, the quality of the translation makes it a worthwhile endeavor.

Reading the Iliad in Greek has been one of my life's long-cherished goals.

Now, after nearly two years of dedicated study and perseverance, I have finally accomplished this arduous task! It has truly been an immensely rewarding experience that words can hardly describe.

The second half of the Iliad is where the most captivating and well-known parts of the story unfold. Achilles, in his unwavering pride, still refuses to engage in the battle. His dear friend Patroclus, in a desperate attempt to inspire the troops, borrows Achilles' magnificent armor. For a while, his plan seems to work, but unfortunately, Hector catches up with him and delivers a fatal blow.

This tragic event stirs Achilles' dormant emotions, and he decides to re-enter the fray to avenge his friend's death. His fury is unleashed, and he pursues Hector with unrelenting determination, ultimately slaying him.

As in the first half of the poem, the characterizations in this part are also vivid and lifelike. We can almost feel the emotions and motives of each character as they play out their roles in this epic tale.

Other notable highlights in this half of the poem include the detailed description of the shield that Hephaestus crafts for Achilles. This shield is not only a work of art but also a reflection of everyday Greek life, with scenes of various activities and landscapes.

Book 23, which consists of the funeral games for Patroclus, is another remarkable section. It is almost like a precursor to the modern Olympics, with various athletic competitions and displays of skill and strength.

The opening lines of the Iliad promise to explore the wrath of Achilles, and throughout the poem, we witness how this wrath shapes his actions and decisions.

From sulking in his tent to mercilessly slaughtering the Trojans, Achilles' journey is one of turmoil and transformation.

Even after killing Hector, his anger is not appeased, and he vows to dishonor the corpse. However, the arrival of King Priam, who begs Achilles to return his son's body for a proper burial, finally softens his heart.

Achilles relents, and mercy triumphs over his wrath. The last we hear of this great Greek hero is that he is finally able to find peace and sleep, accompanied by Briseis, the woman whose unjust removal from him was the initial cause of his anger.

Homer has taken us on a full circle, from the beginning of Achilles' wrath to its ultimate resolution. Now, I am eagerly looking forward to embarking on the adventure of reading the Odyssey and discovering more of the fascinating world of Greek mythology.

In my personal opinion, this particular piece of writing is a little drier than the Odyssey. However, it still manages to be decent reading material, especially for a lazy week when one is looking for something to pass the time.

It offers a certain level of entertainment and can keep the reader engaged to some extent. Although it may not have the same level of excitement and adventure as the Odyssey, it has its own charm and merits.

It's important to note that this is not exactly the version that I read. There might be some differences in the content or the way it is presented. But overall, it's still a worthwhile read for those who are in the mood for a more laid-back literary experience.

Whether it's sitting on the porch on a sunny day or curled up on the couch with a cup of coffee, this book can provide a pleasant escape.

So, if you're looking for something to read during a lazy week, give this one a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it.

Simply brilliant. In the second half of Homer's epic The Iliad, we witness the wrath of Achilles in all its might. The very first word of the epic-poem is "wrath", and it is on full display here. After Hector slays many Achaeans, especially Achilles' beloved Patroclus, Achilles is roused into action, and the tide of the war turns against the Trojans. For instance, towards the end, Achilles declares, “….but Hector, son of Priam, I will not give to the fire to feed on, but to dogs.” (Homer. The Iliad: p. 507). It becomes a tale of one man's revenge for the loss of his dear friend. Up until this point, Achilles had refused to participate in the war due to his disputes with Agamemnon.

Fortunately, the gods safeguard Hector's body from decay, and his father, King Priam, can retrieve it by paying a hefty ransom to Achilles. Achilles is someone you would not want to anger. Here he is in a fury, saying to Hector: “Implore me not, dog, by knees or parents. I wish that somehow wrath and fury might drive me to carve your flesh and myself eat it raw because of what you have done……” (Homer. The Iliad: p. 479).

What is interesting is why Zeus would allow Hector, a mortal he loved more than any other, to die at the hands of Achilles. Achilles' mother, Thetis, is a goddess loved by both Zeus and Poseidon. She was given to Peleus by the two male gods, and through their union, Achilles was born. Zeus promised Thetis that he would give Achilles glory, even though he was fated to die at the hands of Paris' bow at Troy. The logic of the Greek gods is not always easy to follow. There are many soldiers in this war who are related to one of the gods and thus come under their protection or 'aegis', while other mere mortals have to fend for themselves.

It is not revealed until the end that Helen was abducted by Paris 20 years ago, and the war is now in its 10th year. Why did it take the Achaeans 10 years to reach Troy? (Apparently, there was an earlier abandoned voyage). The war is incredibly bloody and, like any battle, brings countless sorrow, creating many widows and orphans. As Achilles tells King Priam (after slaying Hector and Priam comes to reclaim his body): "For so have the gods spun the thread for wretched mortals, that they should live among sorrows; and they themselves are without care." (Homer. The Iliad: p. 601). I can almost hear the self-righteous atheists in the background cheering.

What is also interesting is how some of the gods, like Pallas Athene (who also appears in the Odyssey and loves Odysseus), would descend onto the battlefield to assist, either by protecting certain figures or rallying their strength and courage. The Greek gods seem quite bloodthirsty or "insatiate of war", enjoying the spectacle of men killing each other and having various livestock slaughtered in their honor. I wonder what they would think of animal rights groups or pacifists?

All in all, this is a fantastically told tale by Homer, one of the greatest storytellers of all time. The true greats of literature are Shakespeare, Dante, and Homer (plus a few others like Catullus and maybe Joyce). If I had to choose between Homer's epics, in terms of language, they are equally beautiful, but I slightly prefer the Odyssey due to the variety in the tale and the numerous adventures of Odysseus. I read the Odyssey first, but I should have started with The Iliad (where Odysseus also appears), then read The Aeneid (as Aeneas survives the fall of Troy to found Rome), and finally the Odyssey.

I plan to read The Aeneid next month. It was written by the Latin poet Virgil, who came long after Homer's time. I'm curious to see what happened to the sons of Troy after its fall. Fantastic epic book - read it, read it, read it!

PS - There are a couple of surprises in this story. There is no mention of the Trojan Horse at all. It must appear in another story, perhaps The Aeneid? PPS - The death of Achilles is not mentioned either, although it is prophesied in several parts, including by his mother Thetis. The epic concludes appropriately and dignifiedly with the burial of Hector among the Trojans.