Homer's The Iliad: An Epic of War and Honor

Experience one of Western literature's foundational works with Homer's The Iliad, a timeless epic poem detailing a pivotal period of the Trojan War. This edition, translated by Robert Fagles and featuring an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox, is presented by Penguin Classics.

About the Work:

The Iliad plunges into the heart of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior. His humiliation by Agamemnon leads to his refusal to fight, but the death of his beloved friend Patroclus compels him back into battle, even knowing it seals his own fate. The narrative masterfully weaves together the brutal realities of combat, the poignant domestic life within the besieged city of Ilium, and the divine interventions of the Gods on Mount Olympus.

Author and Context:

Attributed to Homer, the ancient Greek poet whose exact identity remains a mystery, The Iliad is the oldest surviving work of Western literature. Its profound influence stretches from ancient contemporaries to modern writers like T.S. Eliot.

Key Features:

• Epic poem detailing the Trojan War
• Translated by Robert Fagles
• Introduction and notes by Bernard Knox
• Published by Penguin Classics
• Explores themes of honor, revenge, fate, and the human condition

Specifications:

• Author: Homer
• Translator: Robert Fagles
• Editor/Introduction: Bernard Knox
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication Date: February 27, 1992
• Edition: Reprint
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English (originally Ancient Greek)
• Page Count: 683 pages
• Dimensions: 19.56 x 12.7 x 3.81 cm
• Weight: 473 g
• ISBN-10: 0140445927
• ISBN-13: 978-0140445923

For readers who enjoyed The Iliad, The Odyssey is also available from Penguin Classics.

Discover the enduring power and profound humanity of Homer's masterpiece.