Homer: The Iliad: The Story of Achillês

by Rouse W.H.D.

Genres: Fiction, Poetry, Classics

Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2021

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ground is dark with blood

With many books, translations are negligible, with two obvious exceptions, one is the Bible, and surprisingly the other is The Iliad. Each translation can give a different insight and feel to the story. Everyone will have a favorite. I have several.

There are partial translations that are worth reading but as with any abridgment or incomplete Iliad, you will never know what is missing.

For example:

“I Thee beseech, O Goddess milde, the hateful hate to plaine”
- Translated by Arthur Hall, 1581

“Achilles Peleus Son's destructive Rage. Great Goddess, sing”
- Translated by John Ogilby, 1669

“THE wrath of the son of Peleus, —O goddess of song, unfold! The deadly wrath of Achilles”
- Translated by James Macpherson, 1773

“Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles Peleus' son”
- Translated by Ernest Myers, 1883

“Sing, O Goddess, the ruinous wrath of Achilles, Son of Peleus”
- Translated by Ennis Rees, 1963

Unrhymed English Meter
- Translated by F.W. Newman, 1856

“Wrath be thy song, O goddess, the baneful wrath of Achilles,
Peleus’ son, which brought the Achaians numberless sorrows;
Hurling the valiant souls of heroes many to Hades,
Whilst their bodies were left for a prey unto dogs, and winged
Fowls of the air. Yet thus the will of Zeus was advancing,
E’em from the hour when first, contending fiercely, in anger
Parted Atreides, king of men, and god-like Achilles.”
The Iliad, I-IV into English hexameters. 93 pages
- Translated by Henry Smith Wright, 1885

Martin Hammond
James Inglis Cochrane, 1876
John Arthur Platt, before 1923
Michael Reck 1994 (Michael Pierce Reck)
Alston Hurd Chase and William G. Perry Jr. (prose) (1950)
F.W. Newman 1856 (Unrhymed English Meter)
Ichabod Charles Wright (vol. 1, 1859; vol. 2 was to appear in 1865)
Augustus Taber Murray for the Loeb Classical Library (1924)

There is a revised and updated version by D. Christopher H. Rieu or D.C.H. Rieu – son of E.V. Rieu

“The wrath of Achilles is my theme, the fatal wrath which, in fulfillment of the will of Zeus, brought the Achaeans so much suffering and sent the gallant souls of many noblemen to Hadês, leaving their bodies as carrion for dogs and passing birds. Let us begin, goddesses of song with the angry parting that took place between Agamemnon King of Men and the great Achilles son of Peleus. Which of the gods was it that made them quarrel?”
- Translated by E.V. Rieu, 1950 prose version

“O Goddess sing what woe the discontent
Of Thetis' Son brought to the Greeks, what Souls
Of Heroes down to Erebus it sent,
Leaving their bodies unto Dogs and Fowls;
Whilst the two Princes of the Army stove,
King Agamemnon and Achilles stout.
That so it should be the will of Jove,
But who has he that made them first fall out?
Apollo, who incensed the wrong”
- Translated by Thomas Hobbes, 1686

“O Goddess, sing Pelides Achilles’ baneful ire,
Which brought on the Achaians ten thousand sorrows dire,
And many strong souls of heroes sent down to Hades’ sway;
Themselves to all the birds and dogs became a prey,
Since first, in anger parting (it was the will of Jove),
The king of men, Atrides, and divine Achilles strove.”
- Translated by Edgar Alfred Tibbetts Boston 1907


“Sing, Devine Muse, sing the implacable wrath of Achilleus!
Heavy with Death and with woe to the banded sons of Achaia!
Many the souls of the mighty, the souls of redoubtable heroes,
Hurried by it prematurely to Hades. The vultures and wild-dogs
Tore their tombless limbs. Yet thus did the will of the Highest
Work to an end from the day when strive drove asunder,
Atreus’ son, king of men; and the Godlike leader Achileus.”
- Translated by Joseph Henry Dart, 1862 (English Hexameter verse)

“The wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus’ son, Achilles, that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes, and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird; thus, the plan of Zeus came to fulfillment, from the time when firs they parted in strife Atreus’ son, King of men, and Brilliant Achilles.”
- Translated by A. T. Murray, 1924
Known for “The Parallel English / Greek - The Iliad”

“Sing, O Goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the counsels of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles first fell out with one another.”
- Translated by Louise R. Loomis

“Goddess, sing me the anger, of Achilles, Peleus’ son, that fatal anger that brought countless sorrows on the Greeks, and sent many valiant souls of warriors down to Hades, leaving their bodies as spoil for dogs and carrion birds: for thus was the will of Zeus brought to fulfillment. Sing of it from the moment when Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, that king of men, parted in wrath from noble Achilles.”
- Translated by A. S. Kline, 2009

“O goddess! Sing the wrath of Peleus’ son,
Achilles; sing the deadly wrath that brought
Woes numberless upon the Greeks, and swept
To Hades many a valiant soul, and gave
Their limbs a prey to dogs and birds of air, -
For so had Jove appointed, - from the time
When the two chiefs, Atrides, king of men,
And great Achilles, parted first as foes.”
-Translated by William Cullen Bryant, 1870

"Rage--Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles,
Murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses,
hurling down to the House of Death so many souls,
great fighters' souls. But made their bodies carrion,
feasts for dogs and birds,
and the will of Zeus was moving towards its end.
Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed,
Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles."
-Translated by Robert Fagles, 1990 free verse

"Sing, O Goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures for so were the counsels of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles first fell out with one another."
-Translated by Samuel Butler, 1898
Greek Latin
----- -----
Zeus. Jupiter.
Hera. Juno.
(Pallas) Athene. Minerva.
Aphrodite. Venus.
Poseidon. Neptune.
Ares. Mars.
Hephaestus. Vulcan.

"Rage:
Sing, Goddess, Achilles' rage,
Black and murderous, that cost the Greeks
Incalculable pain pitched countless souls
Of heroes into Hades' dark,
And let their bodies rot as feasts
For dogs and birds, as Zeus' will was done.
Begin with the clash between Agamemnon--
The Greek Warlord--and godlike Achilles."
-Translated by Stanley Lombardo, 1997

"Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men--carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Begin it when the two men first contending
broke with one another--
the Lord Marshal Agamémnon, Atreus' son, and Prince Akhilleus."
-Translated by Robert Fitzgerald, 1974

"Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus' son of Achilleus and its devastation, which puts pains thousandfold upon the Achains,
hurled in the multitudes to the house of Hade's strong souls of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished since that time when first there stood the division of conflict Atrecus' son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus."
-Translated by Richmond Lattimore, 1951

"Sing, goddess, of Peleus' son Achilles' anger, ruinous, that caused the Greeks untold ordeals, consigned to Hades countless valiant souls, heroes, and left their bodies prey for dogs or feast for vultures. Zeus's will was done from when those two first quarreled and split apart, the king, Agamemnon, and matchless Achilles."
-Translated by Herbert Jordan, 2008

"An angry man-there is my story: the bitter rancor of Achillês, prince of the house of Peleus, which brought a thousand troubles upon the Achaian host. Many a strong soul it sent down to Hadês, and left the heroes themselves a prey to the dogs and carrion birds, while the will of God moved on to fulfillment."
-Translated and transliterated by W.H.D. Rouse, 1938

"Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring
Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing!
That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign
The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain;
Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore,
Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore.
Since great Achilles and Atrides strove,
Such was the sovereign doom,
and such the will of Jove!"
-Translated by Alexander Pope, 1715-1720

"Achilles sing, O Goddess! Peleus' son;
His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes
Caused to Achaia's host, sent many a soul
Illustrious into Ades premature,
And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove)
To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey,
When fierce dispute had separated once
The noble Chief Achilles from the son
Of Atreus, Agamemnon, King of men."
-Translated by William Cowper, London 1791

"Achilles' baneful wrath - resound, O Goddess - that impos'd
Infinite sorrow on the Greeks, and the brave souls loos'd
From beasts heroic; sent them far, to that invisible cave*
That no light comforts; and their limbs to dogs and vultures gave:
To all which Jove's will give effect; from whom the first strife begun
Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis' godlike son*"
-Translated by George Chapman, 1616 the first translator of Homer.

"The Rage of Achilles--sing it now, goddess, sing through me
the deadly rage that caused the Achaeans such grief
and hurled down to Hades the souls of so many fighters,
leaving their naked flesh to be eaten by dogs
and carrion birds, as the will of Zeus was accomplished.
Begin at the time when bitter words first divided
that king of men, Agamemnon, and godlike Achilles."
-Translated by Stephen Mitchell, 2011

"Sing now, goddess, the wrath of Achilles the scion of Peleus,
ruinous rage which brought the Achaians uncounted afflictions;
many of the powerful souls it sent to the dwelling of Hades,
those of the heroes, and spoil for the dogs it made it their bodies,
plunder for the birds, and the purpose of Zeus was accomplished__"
-Translated by Rodney Merrill

"Sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son,
the accused anger which brought the Achaeans countless
agonies and hurled many mighty shades of heroes into Hades,
causing them to become the prey of dogs
and all kinds of birds; and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled."
-Translated by Anthony Verity

"Of Peleus' son, Achilles, sing, O Muse,
The vengeance, deep and deadly; whence to Greece
Unnumbered ills arose; which many a soul
Of mighty warriors to the viewless shades
Ultimately sent; they on the battle plain
Unburied lay, to rav'ning dogs,
And carrion birds; but had Jove decreed,"
-Translated by Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 1862
Also known as, Edward Earl of Derby/Lord Stanley

"Sing, goddess, of the anger of Achileus, son of Peleus, the accrued anger which brought uncounted anguish on the Achaians and hurled down to Hades many mighty souls of heroes, making their bodies the prey to dogs and the birds' feasting: and this was the working of Zeus' will"
-Translated by Martin Hammond

"Sing, Goddess of the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus-
that murderous anger which condemned Achaeans
to countless agonies and threw many warrior souls
deep into Hades, leaving their dead bodies
carrion food for dogs and birds-
all in the fulfillment of the will of Zeus"
- Translated by Professor Ian Johnston, British Columbia, 2006

"The rage, sing O goddess, of Achilles, son of Peleus,
The destructive anger that brought ten-thousand pains to the
Achaeans and sent many brave souls of fighting men to the house
of Hades and made their bodies a feast for dogs
and all kinds of birds. For such was the will of Zeus."
- Translated by Barry B. Powell, 2013

“Sing of rage, Goddess, that bane of Akhilleus,
Peleus' son, which caused untold pain for Akhaians,
sent down throngs of powerful spirits to Aides,
war-chiefs rendered the prize of dogs and every
sort of bird.”
- Translated by Edward McCrorie Born: Nov 19, 1936

“Sing O goddess, the destructive wrath of Achilles, son of Peleus, which brought countless woes upon the Greeks and hurled many valiant souls of heroes down to hades, and themselves a prey to dogs and all birds [but the will of Jove was being accomplished], from the time when Atrides, king of men, and noble Achilles, first contending, were disunited.”
- Translated by Theodore Alois Buckley 1873

"Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles Peleus' son, the ruinous wrath that brought on the Achaians woes innumerable, and hurled down into Hades many strong souls of heroes, and gave their bodies to be a prey to dogs and all winged fowls; and so the counsel of Zeus wrought out its accomplishment from the day when first strife parted Atreides king of men and noble Achilles."
- Translated by Andrew Lang, M.A., Walter Leaf, Litt.D., And Ernest Myers, M.A.
Books I. - IX. . . . . W. Leaf.
" X. - XVI. . . . . A. Lang.
" XVII. - XXIV. . . . . E. Myers.
- Translated 1883

A translation is by Ennis Samuel Rees, Jr. (March 17, 1925 - March 24, 2009) more in the line of poetry.

A translation is by Thomas Starling Norgate 1864. Dramatic blank verse.

A translation is by Arthur Sanders Way 1882.

A translation is by W.C. Bryant 1870

Wrath–sing, goddess, of the ruinous wrath of Peleus’ son Achilles,
that inflicted woes without number upon the Achaeans,
hurled forth to Hades many strong souls of warriors
and rendered their bodies prey for the dogs,
for all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished;
sing from when they too first stood in conflict-
Atreus’ son, lord of men, and godlike Achilles.
- Translated by Caroline Alexander, 2015

“Wrath, goddess, sing of Achilles Pēleus’s son’s
calamitous wrath, which hit the Achaians with countless ills-
many the valiant souls it saw off down to Hādēs,
souls of heroes, their selves left as carrion for dogs
and all the birds of prey, and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled-
from the first moment those two men parted in fury,
Atreus’s son, king of men, and the godlike Achilles.”
- Translated by Peter Green, 2015

Brutal wrath of Akhilléüs,
Péleüs’s sone, o goddess sing-
Which put unnumbered woes on Akhaioi,
And which hurled to Hades many valiant souls of heroes,
And which made them prey for dogs and all the birds-
And Zeus’s will was being brought to pass-
From when the son of Átreüs, men’s king,
And brilliant Akhilléüs first conceived offense and quarreled.
Who of the gods then brought those two
In strive together fighting?
Ths son of Léto and Zeus.
- Translated by William Guy 2015

Sing of wrath, goddess – the deadly wrath of Peleus' son Achilles,
that brought sufferings by the thousands down on the Achaeans and
hurled so many sturdy souls to the realm of Hades, souls of splendid
warriors, while they themselves were left for dogs and all manner of
carrion birds to feast on, as the will of Zeus went driving toward its
goal; start your song from the moment when the two first stood face
to face in open strife – Agamemnon, lord of men, and godlike Achilles.
- Translated by Joe Sachs 2018

Goddess, sing the rage of Achilles, son of Peleus, which brought countless woes to the Achaeans and sent the souls of many brave heroes to Hades, their bodies made into a feast for dogs and crows all to carry out the unfathomable will of Zeus. Begin from the first time when they first quarreled: the warrior king, son of Atreus, and godlike Achilles.
- Translated by Michael Heumann 2021


===============================

There are so many lesser-known translations that they cannot fit in this review. However, they are worth searching for. Most nowadays are just OCR reprints.

You will find that some translations are easier to read but others are easier to listen to on recordings, lectures, Kindle, and the like. If you do not see information on specific translators, it is still worth the speculation and purchase. Right after the translation readability and understanding, do not overlook the introduction which gives an insight into what you are about to read.

The Stephen Mitchell translation goes through each of the major characters so well that you think you know them before you start reading. Other introductions explain the struggle between different types of power. Rodney Merrill's 28-page introduction focuses on singing.

The Peter Green translation is easy to read. It is almost a transliteration. However, it is all the scholarly supplemental information that gives worth to his contribution.

The Oxford University Press Barry B. Powell has an extensive introduction with real "MAPS". Also, there is the information of the finder Schliemann. We even get annotations on the meaning being conveyed.

The Caroline Alexander Translation is most excellent for a first translation reading. While other translations rely so much on being scholarly, her translation with plenty of white space makes you feel that you are partaking in listening in awe. The only thing missing is the background music.

Our story takes place in the ninth year of the ongoing war. We get some introduction to the first nine years but they are just a background to this tale of pride, sorrow, and revenge. The story will also end abruptly before the end of the war.

We have a wide conflict between the Trojans and Achaeans over a matter of pride; the gods get to take sides and many times direct spears and shields.

Although the more focused conflict is the power struggle between two different types of power. That of Achilles, son of Peleus and the greatest individual warrior, and that of Agamemnon, lord of men, whose power comes from the position.

We are treated to a blow-by-blow inside story as to what each is thinking and an unvarnished description of the perils of war and the search for Arête (to be more like Aries, God of War.)

Next before reading the Odyssey, you will want to bridge the gap with “The War at Troy: What Homer Didn't Tell” by Quintus of Smyrna.

[Ava McCaffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

long ass book for one man’s anger issues. only redeeming quality is that he’s gay

[Bill Keefe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a slog but well worth it. Just tough to read through all the lineage references, without which it might be a short story.

What I will remember most about this work are the wonderful similies. They abound in each chapter. On each page you may find 3 or 4 or more, each a pleasingly descriptive reference from nature. I literally read onward to read the similies.

The other thing I (hope I) will remember are the quiet warriors, Aeis and Aies the runner, Meneleos, Nestor, even Odysseus...these men repeatedly saved the day for the Greeks (sorry, I'm tired of misspelling, so "Greeks" will have to do), with little fanfare and few, if any, orations about their own valor.

The remainder of the characters, the principles, are mostly drama queens, pawns of the gods wrapped up in their lineage, boasting of their fighting prowess or whining about the various debts owed to them or slights requiring retribution. I speak of Agamemnon, Achilles, and Hector, mostly. I tired of hearing them go on about themselves.

As to the gods, it puzzles me how they are both revered for their wisdom and power and seemingly mocked by Homer for their pettiness and childishness. Presumably, the human characters do not have the front row seat to their mini-dramas that Homer offers the reader. But it makes me wonder what people thought when the poem was read to them. Surely, they weren't so far removed from the characters in the tale to not believe in the gods, yet they must have had this awareness that they were subject to the whims of spirits who suffered all the same human frailties that they had.

That's it.

[Kristyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

better than i thought it would be

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible epic full of love, loss, and war. I throughly enjoyed reading this!

Achilles is a fierce warrior that stands the test of time as he is one of the most powerful fighters in literature. The passion in which he carries himself and spits venom at his enemies was thrilling.

It’s also interesting to see how important intimidation is in battle (aka donning leopard/wolf skins and horsehair plumes). Also, learning that the term “champion bowman” is an insult because not fighting man to man was seen as cowardice is fascinating.

Homer original writing in dactylic hexameter is intimidating to me, but this particular translation was easy and enjoyable to read! Hopefully I enjoy ‘The Odyssey’ just as much.

“You drunkard, with eyes like a bitch and heart like a fawn! You never arm yourself with your men for battle, you never go out on a raid with the fighting men—no pluck in you for that!”

“For what you have done to me I wish from the bottom of my heart that I could cut you to pieces and eat you raw myself!"

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

On one hand, I enjoyed the overall story of glory and battle, the amusement of gods bickering, and the bromances (or sometimes maybe more than that??), as well as some really good quotes (my favorite, from book 18:

Taunts and jibes will not drive the Trojans away from the dead body. Many a man will fall before that. Words are potent in debate, deeds in war decide your fate. Then don't go on piling up words but fight!
)

This book is a grind sometimes with Homer going on and on about who killed who, including their lineage, and same with the gods and the battle scenes. But it’s quotes like this that make this worth reading.

[James wilcox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't vibe with it for the same reason I don't really like Shakespeare. The story itself is obviously a classic. However, I'm just not into the flowery way so much of it is written.

It's a classic due to the gore and debate, neither of which really captured me.

So far I very much prefer the Odyssey, a much stronger character and storyline. If I were to recommend one or the other, I'd recommend the Odyssey. Achilles spends much of his time moping about losing his prized woman, Odysseus has strong character and virtues and is being actively hindered by every single God. It's barely a competition.

[✧˚ · meda * ˚ ✦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Homer: The Iliad translated by W.H.D. Rouse

═════════════════

There's a lot of things to unpack here.

I'd say, this was such a chaotic read. The lyrical writing was tragically good, the plot was also kinda good but the characters... there's literally so many of them that I cannot take note of each one anymore and that's one of the negatives of it.

All in all, I guess this particular book wasn't just for me.

[Tamsyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite literally have a classics degree and still cannot keep track of the names.

This story is good from about 2/3-3/4 of the way in and still has dull sections in there. Finally got through the poem using audiobook because I've never managed to read past the catalogue of ships.

But congrats to me for finally finishing the Iliad the day after I did an academic presentation talking about it.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not certain how this compares to other translations, though I have begun reading another translation and plan to read more in the future, so it will be fun to compare. Rouse's translation was easy to follow and comprehend, and thoroughly enjoyable! I read it alongside a podcast that told the story of the iliad in depth, which made the experience even more enjoyable.

[syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually insane that a story like this is from so long ago
also i was waiting all book for the trojan horse and it never happened oops
so glad achilles is still super gay for patroclus in this as well

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition is written in prose and doesn't include a line count. I really liked it. Very easy to follow and the language is accessible.

[Robert Rossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Danica D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the story but the language was a bit hard to understand.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy pride to everyone in this book (now please let the women go)

[Fodongler]

very much a slog at points, especially with the lineages and shit, but when it’s good it’s good

[mbarshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m too stupid for books.

[Carrisah · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAVENT READ A GOOD BOOK LIKE THIS IN SO LONG. FINALLY.

[daisy ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

no spice :/

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook. Much blood and guts but also a deep reflection on heroism and the link between father and son.

For my complete review, please visit:
https://residentjudge.com/2024/02/05/...

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started slow but quickly became one of the favorites I’ve read. There is definitely a learning curve with reading a book like this as many names, places, and objects are mentioned that are difficult at first to understand but after getting a grasp of the main characters it was very entertaining. The dialogue in this story was incredibly moving and was by far the best of any story I’ve read. My one criticism if you can call it that was I didn’t care for the plot at times. If you are to believe this story is “true” (or written as a recounting of a real story) then it is not the fault of the writer but you still felt there were times the plot moved along in a way that seemed lazy (hard to conceptualize without spoilers)

“He knew well that the tide had turned, and victory was lost; all the same he stood firm and saved his companions”

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read Rouse’s translation twice now, and I’ve enjoyed it both times. Unlike the standard verse versions by Fagles or Lattimore, Rouse tells the story in plain, powerful prose. It moves quickly, with a clarity that brings out the human side of the war—the pride, anger, and loss. What it lacks in poetry, it more than makes up for in immediacy and vitality. For me, it’s the most readable and down-to-earth way to experience Homer’s great tale.