The Illiad of Homer

by Richmond Lattimore (Translator)

Genres: History, Literature, Poetry, Mythology

527 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1967

About the author

Richmond Lattimore graduated from Dartmouth in 1926 and received an A.B. from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar at Christ Church in 1932. He took his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1934.

He was an American poet and classicist known for his translations of the Greek classics, especially his versions of the Iliad and Odyssey, which are generally considered as among the best English translations available

Reviews

[Jethro Steiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introduction to the Illiad for a first time reader, I think it did an excellent job of maintaining a sense of gravitas of the epic without being too impenetrable. I wish I had been regularly consulting the end-notes as I was working through, as they provide a great amount of context for a lot of the ancient idiosyncrasies that pop up throughout the text.
As for the epic itself, it was both surprisingly modern in certain parts (the combat and graphic violence especially), while also definitely from a much earlier time with things like the odd pacing, constant cuts away to the gods, the ending games, certain chapters just seeming to repeat the same thing, the constant listing of names.
It was extremely easy to appreciate it for what it is, and see how much it has contributed to literature ever since.

[Florida BogJig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next to the Book of Mormon and the King James Bible, this is my favorite book. Mr. Lattimore's translation is my favorite, but I do enjoy Pope's. This book contains everything a man needs to know to be virtuous and make through life. I must admit that Agamemnon and Menelaus are two of my favorites, while I think Achilles is a spoiled brat, a cry bully, emotionally unstable, and doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. If you don't like this book you are Thersites and should probably move to Canada.

[Nicole B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk if the Lattimore translation is my favorite, for me a bit more on the verbose end. I don't know if I prefer Emily Wilson's style because I read her translation of the Odyssey.

I think it's an important read for the context of other great literary works and also Achilles and Patroclus' gay-ass relationship.

[Diego Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was easier for me to immerse to Homer's world after reading The Odyssey first. I enjoyed the Iliad, especially with all the gods participating in the battle. It's really different from the movie... Such a different read that I had when I read it in high school.

[Lilly Raimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5, lower rating bc i read it for class but im glad i did or I wouldn’t have ever read it and it makes song of achilles all make sense

[Ovid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it more than the odyssey. Patroclus and Achilles 4ever.

[Michelle Henaku]

I'm moved

[Gabriel Lamothe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Achilleus go brrrrrr