Homer: The Iliad

545 Pages·2008·1.561 MB·English

by  Homer, E Christian Kopff, Herbert Jordan

h o m e r
T h e I l I a d
Translated by
Herbert Jordan
Introduction by e. CHristian Kopff
T H E
I L I A D
Oklahoma Series in Classical Culture
OKLAHOMASERIES IN CLASSICALCULTURE
Series Editor
Ellen Greene, University of Oklahoma
Advisory Board
Susan Guettel Cole, State University of New York, Buffalo
Carolyn J. Dewald, Bard College
Thomas M. Falkner, The College of Wooster
Elaine Fantham, Princeton University
Nancy Felson, University of Georgia
Helene P. Foley, Barnard College
Sara Mack, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Thomas R. Martin, College of the Holy Cross
John F. Miller, University of Virginia
Jon Solomon, University of Arizona
Richard F. Thomas, Harvard University
H O M E R
T H E I L I A D
Translated by Herbert Jordan
Introduction by E. Christian Kopff
University of Oklahoma Press : Norman
Publication of this book is made possible through the
generosity of Edith Kinney Gaylord.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Homer.
[Iliad. English & Greek]
The Iliad / translated by Herbert Jordan ; introduction by E. Christian Kopff.
p. cm. — (Oklahoma series in classical culture ; v. 35)
ISBN 978-0-8061-3942-5 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Epic poetry, Greek—Translations into English. 2. Achilles (Greek
mythology)—Poetry. 3. Trojan War—Poetry. I. Jordan, Herbert, 1938– II. Title.
PA4025.A2J67 2008
883'.01—dc22
2007049530
The Iliadis Volume 35 in the Oklahoma Series on Classical Culture.
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability
of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Coun-
cilon Library Resources. ∞
Copyright © 2008 by Herbert Jordan. Published by the University of Oklahoma
Press, Norman, Publishing Division of the University. Manufactured in
the U.S.A.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored
in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—except as
permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act—
without the prior written permission of the University of Oklahoma Press.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
For John Walster Jordan
1982–1999

Contents
Translator’s Preface ix
Introduction xiii
Map of the Aegean Region 2–3
The Iliad
Book 1 Achilles and Agamemnon Quarrel 5
Book 2 The Thousand Ships 23
Book 3 Paris and Menelaus Duel 49
Book 4 Troy Breaches the Truce 63
Book 5 The Might of Diomedes 79
Book 6 Hector and Andromache 107
Book 7 Hector and Ajax Duel 123
Book 8 The Tide Turns against the Greeks 137
Book 9 Greek Chiefs Implore Achilles 155
Book 10 ANighttime Mission 175
Book 11 Greek Heroes Wounded 193
Book 12 The Battle for the Greek Wall 217
Book 13 The Prowess of Idomeneus 231
Book 14 The Seduction of Zeus 255
Book 15 Ajax Defends the Ships 271
Book 16 The Death of Patroclus 293
Book 17 The Battle for Patroclus’ Body 319
Book 18 The God of Fire Re-arms Achilles 341
Book 19 Achilles and Agamemnon Reconcile 359
Book 20 Achilles Avenges Patroclus 373
vii
viii CONTENTS
Book 21 Achilles against the River 389
Book 22 The Death of Hector 407
Book 23 Contests to Honor Patroclus 423
Book 24 Hector’s Body Returns to Troy 449
Notes 473
Pronunciation Glossary of Proper Nouns 481
Index of Significant Similes 507
Translator’s Preface
This translation of Homer’s Iliadis line-for-line, one line of English
blank verse for each line of the original Greek. I undertook this
project to supplement the small array of verse translations published
in the last quarter of the twentieth century, none of which presents
a line of English for each line of Greek. In an act of “translation infla-
tion,” the translators expandedthe original by up to three thousand
lines,which dilutes the immediacy of the original, one of its distinc-
tive characteristics. Line inflation also makes it nearly impossible
to compare a translation with the original. Here, the object is to
capture the essence of Homer’s individual lines, not to render the
Greek literally.
I strive to promote an iambic pentameter pattern, but my ability
to do so is limited by the twin priorities of line-for-line rendition
and readability in English.With rare exceptions, no line varies from
five stressed syllables (counting spondees as two), and none contains
more than eleven syllables.
When a polysyllabic proper noun ends in “s,” I form its posses-
sive by adding only an apostrophe, which should not be read as
adding a syllable or sound of any kind. For example, in the phrase
“Peleus’ son Achilles’ anger,” both names read the same as if there
were no apostrophes.
The English line in iambic pentameter typically contains little
more than half the syllables of the Greek line in dactylic hexameter.
Hence, I do not render many words that appear in the original. For
ix