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The Iliad: The Samuel Butler Translation, with Greek Names Restored, Language Modernized, and American Spelling
Samuel Butler's famous 1898 translation brought Homer to Victorian readers in clear, accessible prose — but over a century later, Butler's own language has begun to show its age. This edition modernizes Butler's Victorian English for today's readers while restoring the original Greek names for gods and goddesses, delivering The Iliad as Butler always intended — readable, immediate, and true to its Greek origins.
This is the complete and unabridged translation, all 24 books.
Features of this
Authentic Greek All Roman god and goddess names are fully restored to their original Greek, bringing the text back into alignment with Homer's true world.Modernized Archaic Victorian vocabulary and grammar have been updated throughout, while preserving Butler's distinctive readable style.Polished Subtle improvements to grammar and punctuation to ensure a smoother narrative flow.American Standard American spelling replaces the original Victorian British English throughout.Easy to The paperback is set in a generously sized typeface for comfortable reading — no squinting at tiny print.
Whether you are reading Homer for the first time or returning to a beloved classic, this edition offers the most accessible and authentic Butler translation available today.
A taste of
"With these words the earth-shaker roused the Achaeans. Around the two Ajaxes strong bands of men gathered — men that not even Ares or Athena, rallier of armies, could make light of, for they were the pick of all those waiting for Hector and the Trojans. They made a living wall, spear beside spear, shield beside shield, buckler beside buckler, helmet beside helmet, man beside man. The horsehair crests on their gleaming helmets touched one another as they nodded forward, so closely packed were they; the spears they held in their strong hands were interlaced, and their hearts were set on battle…."
— Homer, The Iliad, Book XIII
=======================================================================
This is the complete and unabridged translation, all 24 books.
Features of this
Authentic Greek All Roman god and goddess names are fully restored to their original Greek, bringing the text back into alignment with Homer's true world.Modernized Archaic Victorian vocabulary and grammar have been updated throughout, while preserving Butler's distinctive readable style.Polished Subtle improvements to grammar and punctuation to ensure a smoother narrative flow.American Standard American spelling replaces the original Victorian British English throughout.Easy to The paperback is set in a generously sized typeface for comfortable reading — no squinting at tiny print.
Whether you are reading Homer for the first time or returning to a beloved classic, this edition offers the most accessible and authentic Butler translation available today.
A taste of
"With these words the earth-shaker roused the Achaeans. Around the two Ajaxes strong bands of men gathered — men that not even Ares or Athena, rallier of armies, could make light of, for they were the pick of all those waiting for Hector and the Trojans. They made a living wall, spear beside spear, shield beside shield, buckler beside buckler, helmet beside helmet, man beside man. The horsehair crests on their gleaming helmets touched one another as they nodded forward, so closely packed were they; the spears they held in their strong hands were interlaced, and their hearts were set on battle…."
— Homer, The Iliad, Book XIII
=======================================================================
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2026
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