The Illiad

Written in the 9th-century B.C. and based on an actual historical event that occurred in the 13th century B.C., Homer`s Iliad is one of the great epic poems of the Western world. Vast in scope, fresh and noble in literary style, it is a tale for all times that has inspired countless renerations of poets, artists and lovers of literature. The poem essentially tells the story of a few days near the end of the ten-year-long Trojan War, detailing the destructive (for the Greeks) quarrel between Achilles and Agamemnon the battle between Paris and menelaus for Helen of Troy, the Greeks` assault on the city, the Trojan counterassaults, the intervention of the gods on the part of their favorites on both sides, and many other incidents and events. Resounding with the clash and clamor of battle. The Iliad presents an elaborate picture of the splendor and tragedy of war and the inconsistencies of gods and men. This inexpensive edition reproduces the celebrated Samuel Butler translation, admired for its simple, unadorned style, clarity and readability. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.