Part of Penguin’s beautiful hardcover Clothbound Classics series, designed by the award-winning Coralie Bickford-Smith, these delectable and collectible editions are bound in high-quality, tactile cloth with foil stamped into the design. The Iliad is the first and the greatest literary achievement of Greek civilization—the cornerstone of Western culture and an epic poem without rival in world literature. The story centers on the critical events in the last year of the Trojan War, which lead to Achilleus’s killing of Hektor and the fall of Troy. But Homer's theme is not simply war or heroism. With compassion and humanity, he presents a universal and tragic view of the world: human life lived under the shadow of suffering and death set against a vast and largely unpitying divine background. This edition presents Penguin Classics founder E. V. Rieu's lively translation of Homer’s great epic.
Homer
Homer is an ancient Greek poet believed to have lived in the 8th century BC. His most notable works include the epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," which are considered masterpieces of Western literature. Homer's writing style is known for its vivid imagery, epic themes, and complex characters. His contributions to literature include establishing the epic genre and influencing countless writers and poets throughout history. "The Odyssey" is Homer's most famous work, telling the story of Odysseus' journey home after the Trojan War. Homer's impact on literature is immeasurable, with his works continuing to be studied and admired for their timeless themes and storytelling prowess.