The Iliad

Description

The Iliad has had a far-reaching impact on Western literature and culture, inspiring writers, artists and classical composers across the ages. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is translated into prose by Andrew Lang, Walter Leaf and Ernest Myers, and features an introduction by author and classicist Natalie Haynes. Paris, a Trojan prince, wins Helen as his prize for judging a beauty contest between three goddesses, and abducts her from her Greek husband Menelaos. The Greeks, enraged by his audacity, sail to Troy and begin a long siege of the city. The Iliad is set in the tenth year of the war. Achilles - the greatest Greek warrior - is angry with his commander, Agamemnon, for failing to show him respect. He refuses to fight any longer, which is catastrophic for the Greeks, and results in personal tragedy for Achilles, too. With themes of war, rage, grief and love, The Iliad remains powerful and enthralling more than 2,700 years after it was composed.

The identity of the composer of the Iliad is a matter of some speculation. The ancients believed it was a bard called Homer, although they disagreed about biographical details. It was commonly thought that he lived on Chios, an island off the west coast of Turkey, some time between 1100 and 700 BC, probably closer to the latter. Traditionally portrayed as blind, he is said to have composed The Iliad, The Odyssey and The Homeric Hymns, a series of choral addresses to the gods.

The final book of The Iliad has to be regarded, for my money, as the first great work in Western literature -- Ranjit Bolt * Guardian * The granddaddy of all classics -- Luke Slattery * Sydney Morning Herald * All we read today would be unwritable without the 'love,' 'death' and 'dark' that come to us in the first book of The Iliad * The New York Times *