The Iliad (Penguin Classics)

The Iliad is one of the greatest war epics of Western literature, recounting the final stages of the Trojan War and the extraordinary struggles of mortals and gods caught in its violence. Though composed in the ancient world, Homer’s poem continues to resonate through its powerful portrayal of courage, rage, grief, honor, heroism, and the devastating cost of war.

Robert Fagles’s acclaimed translation brings this ancient masterpiece to contemporary readers with remarkable energy and clarity. Combining the skill of a poet with the knowledge of a classicist, Fagles preserves the momentum, rhythm, and musical qualities of Homer’s verse while expressing its power in accessible modern language.

The epic moves through scenes of fierce combat and profound human suffering while also offering glimpses of ordinary life and a longing for peace amid the destruction. Bernard Knox’s insightful introduction provides further context for understanding the poem, its historical world, and its enduring significance in Western literature.

This Penguin Classics edition presents Fagles’s celebrated translation as a compelling and accessible version of one of antiquity’s most influential works.

Details:

• Format: Paperback
• Page Count: 683
• Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.5 (in)