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Homer, translated by Samuel Butler

The Iliad by Homer - translated by Samuel Butler (eBook)

The Iliad by Homer - translated by Samuel Butler (eBook)

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The most beautiful woman in the Greek world is apparently kidnapped from her powerful husband, Menelaus. Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships, is used as a pretext for her brother-in-law, Agamemnon, to launch his long-planned invasion of Troy. Agamemnon has assembled the largest army the Greek world has ever seen, and is accompanied by numerous heroes who have the favour of the gods on Mount Olympus. Chief amongst those heroes is the legendary Achilles.

Achilles has been forewarned that his participation in the war will forever immortalize his name and legacy, but at the cost of his life. After becoming disillusioned with Agamemnon, Achilles decides to abandon the Greek cause, and take his vaunted elite soldiers with him.

The Greek assault is halted by the stout walls of Troy, and both sides settle into a long siege. However, the Trojans launch a surprise attack during the night, and Achilles’ most trusted friend Patroclus is killed in a duel with Hector, the Prince of Troy. Achilles recommits himself to the war against Troy and swears revenge against Hector.

Dive into the epic world of ancient Greece with "The Iliad" by Homer, masterfully translated by Samuel Butler. This timeless classic recounts the legendary tale of the Trojan War, a conflict fueled by gods and mortals, honor and betrayal, love and loss.

Follow the heroic exploits of Achilles, the mighty Greek warrior, as he grapples with his inner demons and clashes with the Trojan prince Hector on the battlefield. Experience the emotional journey of King Priam as he seeks to retrieve his son's body from the hands of his enemy.

Butler's evocative translation breathes new life into Homer's immortal verses, capturing the essence of the original Greek epic while making it accessible to modern readers. From the stirring battle scenes to the poignant moments of human frailty, "The Iliad" transports readers to a world of heroism and tragedy unlike any other.

Whether you're a seasoned scholar of ancient literature or embarking on your first odyssey into the world of classical mythology, this edition of "The Iliad" promises to enthrall and inspire. Discover why Homer's epic poem continues to resonate with readers across the centuries and experience the power of storytelling at its finest.

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About the Author

Homer was probably born around 725BC on the Coast of Asia Minor, now the coast of Turkey, but then really a part of Greece. Homer was the first Greek writer whose work survives.

He was one of a long line of bards, or poets, who worked in the oral tradition. Homer and other bards of the time could recite, or chant, long epic poems. Both works attributed to Homer - The Iliad and The Odyssey - are over ten thousand lines long in the original. Homer must have had an amazing memory but was helped by the formulaic poetry style of the time.

In The Iliad Homer sang of death and glory, of a few days in the struggle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Mortal men played out their fate under the gaze of the gods. The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveller's tales. Odysseus, on his way home from the Trojan War, encounters all kinds of marvels from one-eyed giants to witches and beautiful temptresses. His adventures are many and memorable before he gets back to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope.

We can never be certain that both these stories belonged to Homer. In fact 'Homer' may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps 'the hostage' or 'the blind one'. Whatever the truth of their origin, the two stories, developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years' time.

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