Homer

The Best of Homer's Iliad

Go back a few thousand years and Homer's ILIAD was a perennial blockbuster. That's because Homer himself was the one everyone turned to for entertainment, education, and inspiration. A scholar once claimed that "if a Greek owned any books-that is, papyrus rolls-he was almost as likely to own the ILIAD and the ODYSSEY as anything from the rest of Greek literature." Homer was Greece's chief educator and coach; he shaped Greek feelings, thoughts, and behavior. He is celebrated for the ILIAD, a sweeping epic poem that touches on everything that matters most to us humans. There's heroic anger and suffering. There's love, friendship, and enmity. Most of all, there's the mad quest for happiness, for the good and noble life. ? In addition to Homer's great epic poem, THE BEST OF HOMER'S ILIAD has an informative introduction-presenting "Basic Facts about Homer" and "The Big Themes and Ideas of the ILIAD"-as well as "Other Matters of Interest Related to Homer," including "The Cast of Gods and Men," a map of "The Warring Sides of the Trojan War," a timeline of the ILIAD, a glossary of Homeric Greek terms, and suggestions for further reading. Moreover, there is a section offering "Points of Wisdom & Ways of Practice"-a chance to apply and practice Homeric wisdom in your own life. ? What now? Strap on your well-fitting greaves, fix your bronze helmet on your head, pick up your shield, spear, and a goatskin of water, and prepare to step into an ancient world that is stirringly wonderful and horrifying in turn. Welcome to Homer's ILIAD!