The Iliad
Product ID: 66063612
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'Fitzgerald has solved virtually every problem that has plagued translators of Homer.' Atlantic Monthly The Iliad is the story of a few days' fighting in the tenth year of the legendary war between the Greeks and the Trojans, which broke out when Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, abducted the fabulously beautiful Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. After a quarrel between the Greek commander, Agamemnon, and the greatest of the Greek warriors, Achilles, the gods become more closely involved in the action. Their intervention leads to the tragic death of Hector, the Trojan leader, and to the final defeat of the Trojans. But the Iliad is much more than a series of battle scenes. It is a work of extraordinary pathos and profundity that concerns itself with issues as fundamental as the meaning of life and death. Even the heroic ethic itself - with its emphasis on pride, honour, prowess in battle, and submission to the inexorable will of the gods - is not left unquestioned. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Review: Amazing Story - Everyone should read this version. The story is made clear by an excellent introduction that puts the story, the style, the magic of the gods all in good order before you start. Many will be aware of the story but nothing beats reading the 'original' - get stuck in! Review: Five Stars - a must have
| Best Sellers Rank | 107,003 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 256 in Classical, Early & Medieval Poetry 2,077 in Poetry & Drama Criticism 9,495 in School Books |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 98 Reviews |
M**K
Amazing Story
Everyone should read this version. The story is made clear by an excellent introduction that puts the story, the style, the magic of the gods all in good order before you start. Many will be aware of the story but nothing beats reading the 'original' - get stuck in!
P**C
Five Stars
a must have
L**E
Five Stars
Great job, would recommend
J**N
Unhelpful line numbering
I want to use this as an aid to translation for an A Level, but the line-numbering is only done at the top of every other page (eg 1-71), which makes it difficult to locate individual sections. Nor do the lines, when I count them, correspond with the line numbers in my Oxford Anthology. It’s an Oxford Classic so is no doubt a sound translation, but it’s going to be confusing for anyone who wants it for the same purpose as I do.
H**E
all good.
the book arrived in good time and in pristine condition. it is a great translation of the Iliad, very accessible and clear.
D**D
a bit disappointed
the cover is a bit torn but not entirely unfortunate
D**N
Not for the faint-hearted
I enjoyed this a lot, although I now feel like a world expert on the different ways to behead, disembowel, mutilate and variously kill and wound other human beings - there is a lot of gore. On the other hand, the verse translation moves quickly and feels colloquial, and the extended saga gives an extraordinary sense of what it was like to live and fight in ancient Greece. The details of armour, chariots, horses, ships, tents and so on are extremely vivid, while the interactions between both humans and Gods are psychologically probable, often amusing and sometimes moving. I read it on holiday in Greece, and feel enriched by the experience.
M**N
Great book
It was delivered perfectly. I'm hihly motivated to read theís great book.
A**A
This is the translation that is the most Greek in ...
This is the translation that is the most Greek in its rendition. Fitzgerald has taken special care to render the "runs" or repititive formulaic textual chunks, in a very lucid way. Very very enjoyable.
G**N
A very good book, I recommend
I started reading homer in a class for college, I bought the Iliad on my own because Homer's writings (when translated properly) are very good. Homer's writing has been circulating since about 8th century BC. If it's still around, it has to be for a reason right? Very well worth it.
B**H
Not sure what goes here
It was a gift he loved it
L**N
Two Stars
Homer doesn't hold a candle to Hesiodus. The Iliad is stereotypical while Hesiod is deep.
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