The Iliad (Penguin Classics)

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Summary: Homer's epic poem on the rage of Achilles at Troy
Review: I long ago determined that the world of those interested in the Classical Literature of the Ancient Greeks that when it comes to Homer's epic poems there are those who prefer the "Iliad" and those who prefer the "Odyssey." My choice is for the story of the rage of Achilles. From Achilles's fateful confrontation with Agamemnon over Briseis of the lovely arms to the magnificently emotional ending where King Priam comes to beg for the body of his slain son, Hector, from the man who killed him, I find this story has greater resonance than the tale of Odysseus. The epic story also seems to me to be more classically Greek, with the great hero who acts out of anger, comes to regret his folly, and seeks to make amends with a great deed. Achilles is similar to Hercules in this regard, and although they are both strictly considered demi-gods, the Achaean hero ultimately seems more human. Plus, Achilles stature is enhanced by his opposition to the noble Hector; acknowledging the better warrior does not take away from recognizing the greater hero. Add to this the fact that all the gods and goddesses of Olympus are actively involved in the proceedings and I am convinced the "Iliad" is the more worthy book for inclusion into most classes dealing with Classical Mythology or the Ancient Greeks.

The main question with using the "Iliad" is class is picking a worthy version in English. The Lattimore translation is certainly above average, but I think the Fagles translation is far and away the best available and I would not really consider using anything else in my Classical Greek and Roman Mythology course. I also like to use the "Iliad" as part of a larger epic involving the plays of Euripides, specifically "Iphigenia at Aulis" and "Trojan Women," as well as relevant sections from the "Aeneid" and other sources on the Fall of Troy. But the "Iliad" remains the centerpiece of any such larger tale, mainly because of the final dramatic confrontation when King Priam goes to weep over the bloody hands of Achilles. Not until Steinbeck writes "The Grapes of Wrath" is there anything in Western Literature offering as stunning an end piece.

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Summary: The real Iliad, made for kids
Review: Seeing the recent movie Troy made me think about the kinds of stories I grew up with, and the kinds of stories my niece will grow up with. She likes MTV and television, and she likes to read, so she'll get a lot of stories. But I wonder if she'll get the classics?

This is the Iliad adapted for children. I would say the age range is as young as 8 years old up to 12 or 13 years of age. There are only really 40 pages, and a dozen of those pages are full color and nicely done pages showing in what might be a modern stylizing of ancient Greek drawings the action of the story.

This is very basic story. There is a prologue that sets the stage, that talks about the situation with Paris choosing the fairest of the goddesses and the stealing away of Helen. There is then a chapter on the quarrel, set after nine years of fighting. The second chapter has the duel between Paris and Menelaus, with Paris being saved miraculously. The idea that Achilles might leave the battle comes into it, but then Patroclus is also involved, who gets killed in the battle by Hector, who is then killed later in another battle by Achilles.

The story ends with the death and funeral of Hector, except to say that fighting resumed after the truce. The Trojan Horse is not in this story, but instead is found in Odyssey.

Because this is a book for children, there is a two page glossary of names at the back of the book, divided by giving the Greek side, the Trojan side, and the gods and goddesses involved. This is a very different story from the recent film, and given that it is a simplified version of the story for intended for children, it is a very good job of telling the Iliad. There is a companion volume also adapted by Diana Stewart for the Odyssey. The artwork in this book was done by Charles Shaw, and is quite colorful and interesting.

A good book for kids.