It is a modern prose translation but is also faithful to the meaning of the original Greek (since the translator is not forced to try to turn his translation into verse). As stated in the Preface, the purpose is to provide those reading the Iliad for the first time with a useful tool enabling them to understand and appreciate the basic characteristics of what is considered to be the first masterpiece of our Western Culture, through a detailed commentary based on the most widely used translations, namely: E. Homer was probably born around 725BC on the Coast of Asia Minor, now the coast of Turkey, but then really a part of Greece. could be misleading since, in the underworld, Achilles is sad and wishes to be still alive not just to compete: it is not accidental that Achilles asks Odysseus about his son and his father (11. Jones shows an attractive way of elucidating the plot later, as well, when he introduces a peculiar “way of thinking about a plot” that consists of determining the main characters’ ‘object of desire’ (see, pp.

First of all, some specific connections between archaeological evidence and poetry cannot be completely neglected. Therefore, he describes the Iliadic plot as a sequence of main personages’ ‘object of desire’, and, in doing so, covers the entire plot. This commitment to jogging the memory is also shown in the detailed notes concerning the personages. It is not accidental that Achilles’ first complaint, when talking to his mother, is the fact that Agamemnon atimazei him ( Iliad 1.Note that the Greek word, brotos, means ‘mortal’ and ‘blood’; and ambrosia means ‘not-mortal, immortal’ or ‘no-blood’. It describes how the quarrel of Agamemnon and Achilleus sets in motion a tragic sequence of events, which leads to Achilleus' killing of Hektor and determines the ultimate fate of Troy.

Nothing is known of his life, though the main ancient tradition made him a native of the island of Chios in east Aegean.By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. To save this article to your Dropbox account, please select one or more formats and confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies.

p. 79) is inaccurate: at least on the basis of the Hesiodic lines that Jones mentions, Typhoeus was generated after Zeus completely defeated the Titans (see, in fact, Theogony 820-821), not while Zeus was fighting them; moreover, Hesiod does not mention earthquakes as consequence of the fact that Zeus hit Typhoeus with a thunderbolt and buried him deep in the earth. In fact ‘Homer’ may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps ‘the hostage’ or ‘the blind one’. I would also add that the gods, while immune from any of the war's consequences, are nevertheless extremely touchy at any momentary lapse of reverence and respect - one missed sacrifice and they do their, or rather our, nuts; strangely reminiscent of Blair's and Clinton's position with respect to the war in the Balkans. Others will give works such as "The Epic of Gilgamesh" that honour, nonetheless "The Iliad" is truly a great poem.

Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.