Customer Reviews
Full of typos - By: David Jameson, 24 Jan 2005 
This version has typos on almost every page. I would recommend spending some more money on the other versions of the Iliad instead. It seems that Wordsworth Classics have just knocked the book out without really doing any proofreading at all.
Review of Martin Hammond's translation of the Iliad - By: , 13 Oct 2004 
This is specifically a review of Martin Hammond's translation of the Iliad (I've noticed that reviews for different editions often appear lumped together). This is by far the best translation of the Iliad I have ever encountered & it led me to finally read the Iliad from beginning to end without skipping bits or skimming. It is a modern prose translation but is also extremely faithful to the meaning of the original Greek (since the translator is not forced to try to turn his translation into verse). I simply cannot recommend it enough. Another touch that I like is that Hammond has given the different characters names that are far closer to the original Greek (e.g. Achilleus, Aias, Patroklos, Hektor).
Full of depth, and, well, violence... - By: , 15 Jan 2000 The characterisationin this epic are second to none. The battle scenes are sometimes brutal & always surprising, but this is contrasted with an amazinglyin depth story of love & loyalty. Well worth reading even if you aren't a classical scholar.
A very important piece of literature. - By: , 31 May 1999 The Iliad of Homer focuses on the actions of the hero Achilleus & their consequences. Homer tells the story of the Trojan War, not only the battles, but also looking at the misery of war, fate & the role of the gods. His use of formulae enforce certain ideas upon his audience, Homer's descriptions of death often include the same formulaic phrase such as "his soul sank down to Hades" this is used to symbolise the death of not only the personin question, but the deaths of the many victims of war, all become equalin death. In this way, the epic is not only a war story, but a story of emotion & real life. It is also important to remember that Homer composed the poem to be recited rather than read, this can make the book seem long & perhaps even a little tedious to read at times, but perseverance is highly rewarding. The Iliad & Odyssey are perhaps two of the most important pieces of literaturein existence, it is a pity that they are not more widely known & appreciated.
Blood gore and classic literature - By: , 11 May 1999 
I've just finished the Iliad. I had decided to read it for the Trojan Horse & the Achilles Heel references - & neither arein the book. What I found instead was a fantastic, beautiful, gory & horrific account of a few weeks of the Greek/Trojan war, the fury of Achilles, the death of Hektor & the participation of the Gods.
If you want the best account of classic war, read this book. If you want horses - I'm told you should read Virgil instead.
