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I read the Robert Fagles edition of the Iliad. It is still well written and is essential reading for a knowledge of ancient Greek mythology. The book has various gruesome descriptions of battles.
This book is very important. Unfortunately the story behind the fall of Troy is not given. I read it after reading the Robert Fitzgerald translation of "The Odyssey".
The book ends with the death of Hector. It was Alexander the Great's favorite book. The subject of the book is the Trojan War.
The sequel, "The Odyssey", gives brief references to the Trojan Horse and also references the death of Achilles (Odysseus meets him in the Underworld).The Iliad is really long and at times gets dull with the endless descriptions of infantrymen killing each other. The book addresses the sadness behind war.
Amazon has cobbled together every review of every translation of the Iliad in their posession, and the book being reviewed is not even a translation at all, but is in the original greek (one must suppose - they never do come right out and say so, but glancing at the first page such appears to be the case).
The story will also end abruptly before the end of the war.We have the wide conflict between the Trojans and Achaeans over a matter of pride; the gods get to take sides and many times direct spears and shields.Although the more focused conflict is the power struggle between two different types of power. Begin with the clash between Agamemnon--The Greek Warlord--and godlike Achilles."-Translated by Stanley Lombardo"Anger be now your song, immortal one,Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter lossand crowded brave souls into the undergloom,leaving so many dead men--carrionfor dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.Begin it when the two men first contendingbroke with one another--the Lord Marshal Agamémnon, Atreus' son, and Prince Akhilleus."-Translated by Translated by Robert FitzgeraldOur story takes place in the ninth year of the ongoing war.
Each translation can give a different insight and feel to the story. Everyone will have a favorite.
With many books, translations are negligible, with two obvious exceptions, one is the Bible, and surprisingly the other is The Iliad. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a heroes did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures for so were the counsels of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles first fell out with one another."-Translated by Samuel Butler"Rage:Sing, Goddess, Achilles' rage,Black and murderous, that cost the GreeksIncalculable pain pitched countless soulsOf heroes into Hades' dark,And let their bodies rot as feastsFor dogs and birds, as Zeus' will was done.
For example:"Rage--Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, Murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many souls,great fighters' souls. But made their bodies carrion,feasts for dogs and birds,and the will of Zeus was moving towards its end.Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed, Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles." -Translated by Robert Fagles"Sing, O Goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans.
We get some introduction to the first nine years but they are just a background to this tale of pride, sorrow and revenge. That of Achilles, son of Peleus and the greatest individual warier and that of Agamemnon, lord of men, who's power comes form position.We are treated to a blow by blow inside story as to what each is thinking and an unvarnished description of the perils of war.Troy - The Director's Cut [Blu-ray]
This was amazing that i got this book on time. The book is new like untouched even though it was said used book. Good job. I thank you.
For a first read of the Iliad, this is an excellent translation. Though it is in prose, it maintains the epic feel.
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