The Iliad
By: Homer ; translated by Robert Fitzgerald ; with an introduction by G.S. Kirk.
Contributors: Fitzgerald, Robert, 1910-
Series: The World's classics
Publisher: Oxford University Press; Oxford Paperbacks
Published: 1984
Place of publication: Oxford; New York
Language: eng
Translation of: Ἰλιάς
Number of pages: 466
Copyright date: 1988
Subjects: Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Achilles (Greek mythology) -- Poetry; Trojan War -- Poetry
First sentence: Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Achilles' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Achaens loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into undergloom,
leaving so many dead men - carrion
for dogs and birds; ant the will of Zeus was done.
Description: The Iliad is the story of a few days' fighting in the tenth year of the legendary war between the Greeks and the Trojans, which broke out when Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, abducted the fabulously beautiful Helen, wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. After a quarrel between the Greek commander, Agamemnon, and the greatest of the Greek warriors, Achilles, the gods became more closely involved in the action. Their intervention led to the tragic death of Hector, the Trojan leader, and to the final defeat of the Trojans.
But the Iliad is much more than a series of battle scenes. It is a work of extraordinary pathos and profundity that concerns itself with issues as fundamental as the meaning of life and death. Even the heroic ethic itself—with its emphasis on pride, honour, prowess in battle, and submission to the inexorable will of the gods—is not left unquestioned.
Notes: Bibliography: p. xix.
Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction by G. S. Kirk
pagenum: vii; title: Select bibliography
pagenum: xix; title: Note on references, spellings, and pronunciation
pagenum: xx; label: I
title: Quarrel, oath, and promise
pagenum: 1; label: II
title: Assembly and muster of armies
pagenum: 18; label: III
title: Duelling for a haunted lady
pagenum: 43; label: IV
title: A bowshot bringing war
pagenum: 57; label: V
title: A hero strives with gods
pagenum: 73; label: VI
title: Interludes in field and city
pagenum: 98; label: VII
title: A combat and a rampart
pagenum: 113; label: VIII
title: The battle swayed by Zeus
pagenum: 127; label: IX
title: A visit of emissaries
pagenum: 143; label: X
title: Night in the camp: a foray
pagenum: 164; label: XI
title: Prowess and wounds of Achaeans
pagenum: 180; label: XII
title: The rampart breached
pagenum: 204; label: XIII
title: Assault on the ships
pagenum: 217; label: XIV
title: Beguilement on Mount Ida
pagenum: 240; label: XV
title: The Lord of Storm
pagenum: 255; label: XVI
title: A ship fired, a tide turned
pagenum: 276; label: XVII
title: Contending for a soldier fallen
pagenum: 300; label: XVIII
title: The immortal shield
pagenum: 321; label: XIX
title: The avenger fasts and arms
pagenum: 338; label: XX
title: The ranging of powers
pagenum: 350; label: XXI
title: The clash of man and river
pagenum: 365; label: XXII
title: Desolation before Troy
pagenum: 381; label: XXIII
title: A friend consigned to death
pagenum: 396; label: XXIV
title: A grace given in sorrow
pagenum: 421; title: Glossary and index of names
pagenum: 445; title: Maps of real places
pagenum: 467