The Iliad

by Homer (Author); Fagles, Robert (Translator); Knox, Bernard (Introduction by)

• ISBN13: 9780140275360
• ISBN10: 0140275363
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781101153635
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-10-01
• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• More Book Details

About This Book

The Iliad by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles, is a timeless epic that has captivated readers for centuries. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, published in 1998, offers a fresh and imaginative translation that brings the ancient Greek masterpiece to life.

Who Uses It?

Primarily, The Iliad is used by students and educators in classical literature and ancient history courses at the high school and college levels. It's also a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring the world of ancient Greece, including history buffs, literature enthusiasts, and those looking to deepen their understanding of epic poetry.

History and Editions

This edition of The Iliad has been a staple in educational settings for over two decades. Robert Fagles' translation is renowned for its lyrical and dramatic style, which maintains the drive and metric music of Homer's poetry. The book features French flaps and deckle-edged paper, adding to its classic feel. Bernard Knox's introduction and notes provide valuable context and insights into the epic's themes and historical background.

Author and Other Works

Robert Fagles was a celebrated classicist and translator who received numerous awards for his work, including the 1997 PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and the 1991 Harold Morton Landon Translation Award by The Academy of American Poets. His translations include Sophocles' *Three Theban Plays*, Aeschylus' *Oresteia*, Homer's *Odyssey*, and Virgil's *Aeneid*. Bernard Knox was Director Emeritus of Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies and taught at Yale University. His works include *The Heroic Temper: Studies in Sophoclean Tragedy* and *Oedipus at Thebes: Sophocles’ Tragic Hero and His Time*.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage: The book covers the entire epic poem, from the rage of Achilles to the funeral games for Patroclus.
• Historical Context: Bernard Knox's introduction provides a detailed historical context, helping readers understand the cultural and social background of ancient Greece.
• Lyrical Translation: Robert Fagles' translation is known for its lyrical and dramatic style, making the ancient Greek text accessible to modern readers.
• Educational Value: The book is a valuable resource for students studying classical literature, ancient history, and mythology.

Detailed Information

ISBNs and Formats

• Paperback: ISBN-13: 9780140275360
• eBook: Available through various digital platforms
• Used Copies: Available through AbeBooks and other used book retailers

Publication Details

• Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
• Publication Date: November 1, 1998
• Number of Pages: 704
• Language: English
• Dimensions: 5.94 x 8.45 x 1.65 inches

Other Editions and Formats

• Hardcover: ISBN-13: 9780140275360 (same as paperback)
• Used Copies: Various used copies available through AbeBooks and other retailers
• Related ISBNs:
• 9780140275360 (paperback)
• 9780140275363 (hardcover, same as paperback ISBN)
• 9780140275360 (eBook, available through digital platforms)

This detailed information section provides a quick reference for all the available formats and sources for The Iliad, making it easier to find and access the book in the preferred format.

Author Biography

Robert Fagles, the winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, is Arthur W. Marks '19 Professor of Comparative Literature, Emeritus, at Princeton University and received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Yale University.

Bernard Knox is Director Emeritus of Harvard's Center for Hellenic Studies in Washington, D.C.

Table of Contents

Translator's Preface	ix
INTRODUCTION
Introduction	3	(62)
The Spelling and Pronunciation of Homeric Names	65	(3)
Maps
Homeric Geography: Mainland Greece	68	(2)
Homeric Geography: The Peloponnese	70	(2)
Homeric Geography: The Aegean and Asia Minor	72	(1)
Inset: Troy and Vicinity	72	(5)
HOMER: The Iliad
The Rage of Achilles	77	(22)
The Great Gathering of Armies	99	(29)
Helen Reviews the Champions	128	(17)
The Truce Erupts in War	145	(19)
Diomedes Fights the Gods	164	(31)
Hector Returns to Troy	195	(19)
Ajax Duels with Hector	214	(17)
The Tide of Battle Turns	231	(20)
The Embassy to Achilles	251	(25)
Marauding Through the Night	276	(20)
Agamemnon's Day of Glory	296	(29)
The Trojans Storm the Rampart	325	(16)
Battling for the Ships	341	(28)
Hera Outflanks Zeus	369	(18)
The Achaean Armies at Bay	387	(25)
Patroclus Fights and Dies	412	(30)
Menelaus' Finest Hour	442	(25)
The Shield of Achilles	467	(21)
The Champion Arms for Battle	488	(15)
Olympian Gods in Arms	503	(17)
Achilles Fights the River	520	(21)
The Death of Hector	541	(18)
Funeral Games for Patroclus	559	(29)
Achilles and Priam	588	(33)
NOTES
The Genealogy of the Royal House of Troy	617	(2)
Textual Variants from the Oxford Classical Text	619	(2)
Notes on the Translation	621	(14)
Suggestions for Further Reading	635	(4)
Pronouncing Glossary	639