The Iliad of Homer

Rodney Merrill speaks about his translation of the Iliad.

In sleep, Achilles sees Patróklos; he mourns; the winds light the pyre. He holds funeral games: chariot-race, boxing, wrestling, foot-race, spear-fight, hurling a lump, archery, and spear-throw.

Zeus sends the gods to aid both sides; Achilles speaks and fights with Aineías, whom Poseidon saves, then faces Hektor, whom Apollo saves, but Achilles keeps on rampaging and killing.

Achaians and Trojans battle over Patroklos’ body; Hektor dons Achilles’ armor; with gods aiding, both sides rally; Achilles’ horses weep; Meneláos sends Antílochos to tell Achilles.

Battle rages at the wall, which gods later will destroy; the Trojans keep attacking, despite an omen; Sarpedon speaks to Glaukos; Ajax and Teukros fight, and Hektor breaks the gate.

Heeding Nestor’s rebuke, Agamemnon offers gifts to Achilles if he will yield; Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoinix bear the message and plead with him; he relents—he will stay but not fight.

Hektor challenges the Achaian lords; Agamemnon restrains Meneláos, Ajax is chosen, the fight is halted; Paris will not return Helen; the dead are buried, the Achaians build defenses.

Athena grants Diomédes glory; he kills Pándaros and wounds Aineías and Aphrodítè; the Achaian and Trojan lords battle, joined by Athena, Hera, and Ares, whom Diomédes wounds.

Forced by Apollo’s punishment to return Chryses’ daughter, Agamemnon takes Achilles’ prize-girl; Achilles has his mother ask Zeus to favor the Trojans; Hera finds out and quarrels with Zeus.