The Iliad

Homer

University of Michigan Press, 2007 - Achilles (Greek mythology) - 464 pages

In 2002, the University of Michigan Press published Rodney Merrill's translation of Homer's Odyssey, an interpretation of the classic that was unique in employing the meter of Homer's original. Praising Merrill's translation of the Odyssey, Gregory Nagy of Harvard wrote, Merrill's fine ear for the sound of ancient Greek makes the experience of reading his Homer the nearest thing in English to actually hearing Homer. The translator's English renders most faithfully the poet's ancient Greek--not only the words and meaning but even the voice. Merrill has now produced an edition of Homer's Iliad, following the same approach. This form of rendering is particularly relevant to the Iliad, producing a strong musical setting that many elements of the narrative require to come truly to life. Most notable are the many battle scenes, to which the strong meter gives an impetus embodying and making credible the war-lust in the deeds of the combatants. --University of Michigan Press.

Contents

• Singing the Iliad: 1
• Bibliography: 23
• Book I: 29
• Book 2: 45
• After telling a deceptive dream Agamemnon orders withdrawal Odysseus halts it then scourges: 68
• Paris avoids Menelaos response to his challenge then agrees to fight from the wall Helen identifies: 80
• The gods confirm Troys ruin Athena makes Pándaros violate the oaths by wounding Menelaos: 94
• Book 6: 117
• Without any gods the battle continues Agamemnon kills Adréstos Diomédes and Glaukos talk: 131
• Book 8: 144
• Zeus keeps the gods away the Achaians flee the Trojans attack but defend the wall Hera: 159
• Book 10: 178
• At a night council the Achaians dispatch spies Diomédes and Odysseus who capture and kill: 193
• Agamemnon rampages and is wounded Paris and Sokos wound Diomédes Odysseus Macháon: 215
• Battle rages at the wall which gods later will destroy the Trojans keep attacking despite: 227
• Poseidon aids the Achaians leaders of both sides battle at the ships the Ajaxes hold off Hektor: 249
• Poseidon encourages the Achaian lords to keep fighting Hera plots to make Zeus sleep aiding: 263
• Awakening Zeus sends Iris to stop Poseidon and Apollo to aid the Trojans Hektor fights: 282
• Yielding to Patroklos plea Achilles sends him out with the Mýrmidons he kills Sarpédon: 304
• Book 18: 324
• Achilles Thetis and seanymphs lament the heroes death Achilles rescues Patróklos body: 340
• Receiving the arms Achilles renounces his wrath Agamemnon blames Delusion which harms: 351
• Zeus sends the gods to aid both sides Achilles speaks and fights with Aineías whom Poseidon: 364
• Achilles kills many men in the river who begs him to stop then threatens Hera sends: 380
• His parents beg Hektor to come in Hektor refuses Achilles chases him Athena deceives: 394
• List of Proper Names in the Iliad: 439

About the author

Homer is the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, the two greatest Greek epic poems. Nothing is known about Homer personally; it is not even known for certain whether there is only one true author of these two works. Homer is thought to have been an Ionian from the 9th or 8th century B.C. While historians argue over the man, his impact on literature, history, and philosophy is so significant as to be almost immeasurable. The Iliad relates the tale of the Trojan War, about the war between Greece and Troy, brought about by the kidnapping of the beautiful Greek princess, Helen, by Paris. It tells of the exploits of such legendary figures as Achilles, Ajax, and Odysseus. The Odyssey recounts the subsequent return of the Greek hero Odysseus after the defeat of the Trojans. On his return trip, Odysseus braves such terrors as the Cyclops, a one-eyed monster; the Sirens, beautiful temptresses; and Scylla and Charybdis, a deadly rock and whirlpool. Waiting for him at home is his wife who has remained faithful during his years in the war. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey have had numerous adaptations, including several film versions of each. Rodney Merrill is retired and an independent scholar. He has taught at Stanford University, the University of San Francisco, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Iliad; Supplements to the memoirs of the American Academy in Rome
• Author: Homer
• Translated by: Rodney Merrill
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press, 2007
• ISBN: 0472116177, 9780472116171
• Length: 464 pages