The Iliad

Homer

Penguin UK, Jan 30, 2003 - Poetry - 560 pages

'The first great book, and the first great book about the suffering and loss of war' Guardian

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its centre is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, who refuses to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, he storms back into battle to take revenge - knowing this will ensure his own early death. E. V. Rieu's acclaimed translation of The Iliad was one of the first titles published in Penguin Classics, and now has classic status itself.

Originally translated by E. V. RIEU
Revised and updated by PETER JONES with D. C. H. RIEU
Edited with an Introduction and notes by PETER JONES

About the author

Homer is thought to have lived c.750-700 BC in Ionia and is believed to be the author of the earliest works of Western Literature: The Odyssey and The Iliad. E V Rieu was a celebrated translator from Latin and Greek, and editor of Penguin Classics from 1944-64. His son, D C H Rieu, has revised his work. Peter Jones is former lecturer in Classics at Newcastle. He co-founded the 'Friends of Classics' society and is the editor of their journal and a columnist for The Spectator.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Iliad
• Author: Homer
• Editor: Peter Jones
• Translated by: E. V. Rieu, D. C. H. Rieu, Peter Jones
• Contributor: Peter Jones
• Publisher: Penguin UK, 2003
• ISBN: 0141920432, 9780141920436
• Length: 560 pages
• Subjects: Literary Collections / Ancient & Classical; Poetry / Ancient & Classical; Poetry / Epic; Poetry / General