The Iliad of Homer | 
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| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
"Each new generation is bound to produce new translations. [Lattimore] has done better with nobility, as well as with accuracy, than any other modern verse translator. [In] our age we do not often find a fine scholar who is also a genuine poet and who takes the greatest pains over the work of translation."--Hugh Lloyd-Jones, New York Review of Books
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Customer Reviews:
• Greek Myth 02 November, 2008
Nothing in greek myth stands alone - you'll need a basic background to get all the side stories. The Odessey is more entertaining on the whole but chronologically this precedes. Unbiased translation - always good.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A39PJEBJLRBFKZ
• Apt Reading For America Today 19 October, 2008
been for the Greeks of 3000 years ago. Lattimore has given us with a brilliant translation that makes this masterpiece accessible in all its beauty to modern-day English speakers. The introduction provides the necessary understanding of the background and translation scheme, adding to the appreciation of the poem, but concise and short enough to permit the reader to delve into the beauty of the Iliad without much further ado. The Iliad of course is the most famous classic Greek poem. In reading this translation, one vividly moves into the world of the gods and heroes. Though seemingly long, the Iliad is breathtaking in its action and plot sequences. It is easy to get lost imagining the conflicts between Achilleus, Agamemnon, and Hector, or reflecting on the fascinating intrigues of Athena and Zeus. There are many lessons in these tales for everyone today, for we humans still behave within the same parameters of pride, glory, anger, vengeance, and love. After reading it, I was left reflecting about th meaning of victory, and how Achilleus was unsatisfied after obtaining his revenge. Read it, and you will instantly recognized why this epic poem has been deemed a masterpiece. Perhaps one of the first anti-war works of literature, the Iliad stands as relevant for our world today as it has
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3RBGEV4IHL1XM
• Good For History, But Not My Favorite 31 December, 2008
There is some value to this book. Actually alot of value. Unfortunately I had a hard time keeping my interest in the book. It is fiction with historical settings and real people. For Bible lovers it gives some insight to traditions and happenings outside the Bible around the time of Saul or David. Of course the Iliad would have been written sometime after Solomon. Now it does not have anything to do with the Bible but it does provide a picture of other cultures of that time.
Homer doesnt seem to be anything more than a good story teller and obviously paints the picture to fully support his country. But that is how this artist viewed the events and presented his take on it.
In some ways we arent really that different now. Like Homer and his ability to put all causes at the feet of the Gods you ofter hear people today claim fate to be solely linked to their God. They sacrificed similar to the Jews in offering up burnt sacrifices of unblemished animals and olive oil was considered sacred.
I think this is a must read. Dont let my 3 stars turn your nose. I just dont think I will be nearly as well studied on Homer as many of these other posters. Read it...I think you will be better for it.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AXZCZN0MO5R5O
• Richmond Lattimore...genius!!!!! 17 October, 2008
Richmond Lattimore was an absolute genius. I recommend this book to very advanced classics students, but especially to those who have taken many years of Latin and Greek courses. The translation is most certainly not intended for anyone prosaic. It is more literally and accurately translated than any other translation in existence. For the lover of poetry, this translation is a must! Bravo Lattimore!!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A31AQMQVFEM1VA
• Invaluable Documents But...an Uneasy Read. 08 September, 2008
I recognize and agree that Lattimore's translations of "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" are the MOST TRUE to Homer and Ancient Greek we have ever seen.
Two minor examples: he uses long verse lines (like Homer), maintains Homer's sentence structure and he keeps and repeats all the Epitaphs exactly as they appear in Homer.
Lattimore's choice of words and sentence organization can sometimes seem jumbled and complicated and his manner/style somewhat archaic, it is because Lattimore is showing how Homer "sounds" in English as if you were translating it directly and perfectly from the Greek. That is Lattimore's aim, to render Homer as EXACTLY as possible. For this I am grateful...he has helped many to develop a more scholarly aptitude.
This aside,
I give it 3 stars because I find that his translation is not condusive to reading. Lattimore's 1950's American English is out of date and the story moves excessively slow. I often find Lattimore's Homer stodgy, hard, complicated, and often boring!
My favorites are still Stanley Lombardo's (Prosaic Verse) and E.V. Rieu's (Novel-like Prose) versions. Both full of fire-like Excitement, shimmering Beauty and monumental Drama.
I always recommend having 2 or 3 different versions of Homer on shelf, Lattimore is always on mine...not for reading enjoyment though but only for comparing.
Thanks
- Reviewed by customer ID: A397ND4UT6BTXR
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