Penguin Classics Homer The Iliad

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One of the first and greatest literary achievements of Greek civilisation, The Iliad focuses on the pivotal four days towards the end of the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. Jones misses unfolding this aspect in the General Introduction as well as in the commentary on the 1st Book (p. As to the translation, in light of Jones’ attention to precise explanations and avoidance of too modern translations, it comes as a surprise that he does not discuss the way that Rieu-Jones translate Δύσπαρι, i.

The language is modern and readable, it's definitely accessible, and the powerful moments in the story have been expressed wonderfully.No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. Each segment is introduced by a short and clear summary of its contents that includes also precise indications about the time of the involved events.

Okay, I haven't actually read the whole of a poetic translation of `The Iliad' to compare this to, but I have spent a lot of time, since I started this book, looking inside other editions, comparing the language, and being struck at how the words in some of the modern poetic versions jump of the page and come to life. The first of the world's great tragedies, The Iliad centres on the pivotal four days towards the end of the ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. Rieu's translation of `The Odyssey' was actually the very first Penguin Classics book and so, from a historical perspective, it should come as no surprise that that and his `Iliad' are considered "classics" in of themselves. In fact ‘Homer’ may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps ‘the hostage’ or ‘the blind one’.

Rieu, was charged with the task of revising his father's original translation for a modern audience. Even taking into account the declared limited scope of this book, I have to notice that Jones misses mentioning Hainsworth’s work; yet, he usually cites the bibliographic references after other specific topics are discussed. As to the gods’ blood, when it is not named as ichor, not accidentally it is qualified by the adjective ambrotos (‘immortal’), exactly as in 5. Access options Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below.