Iliad

The Iliad
By Homer
Hackett Publishing, 1997. 516 pgs. Nonfiction

So most everyone's heard of the Iliad--it's a classic--and most everyone has never read it. This is the story of the Greeks' 10 year war with the Trojans. Menelaus' wife, Helen, runs off with Paris of Troy and he rounds up his family & friends to go and get her back. 1,000 ships make the trek to Troy and the Greeks spill out, set up camp, and prepare for war. There are numerous battles and many characters in this dense story. Most of the story is occupied with Achilles' anger and withdrawal from the battle. He sulks in his tent because someone else took the girl he took as a prize. He refuses to re-enter the battle. Then is best friend dons Achilles' armour and enters the fray. The Greeks believing Achilles fights with them again press forward again in battle. Alas, Patroclus is killed by Hector and Achilles then goes after Patroclus to avenge the death of his friend.

Everyone knows the story of the Trojan horse. You won't find that story here. The Iliad stops short of telling of the downfall of Troy--for that story you'll need to read the Odyssey which recounts the story during one of Odysseus's adventures. I listened to this on CD and would recommend this translation and reading to anyone.

SML