The Iliad

The bible of the ancient world. Tells the story of the last 10th year of the war of Troy: starting by the raising conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles up to the funeral of Hector. I started to read this book 4 times. First 3 times I dropped it, was not able to advance more than several pages, - cause was just not able to understand it, to feel the basic values and principles, the way to...more

The bible of the ancient world. Tells the story of the last 10th year of the war of Troy: starting by the raising conflict between Agamemnon and Achilles up to the funeral of Hector. I started to read this book 4 times. First 3 times I dropped it, was not able to advance more than several pages, - cause was just not able to understand it, to feel the basic values and principles, the way to see the world, the way to judge which are characteristic to the ancient Greeks. On my opinion, the book will be difficult to read, appear uninteresting and even boring to an unprepared reader. A lot from it will pass unnoticed. Personally I dedicated a lot of time to Roman and Greek history and culture what finally gave me the feeling of the ancient world and made this book the most appreciated. Pretty rich knowledge of the Greek mythology is almost necessary. Reveals much more than just an episode of ancient history. Gives the full view of the world on a very vivid example. Relations between gods, between people and – the way people talk to gods. Relation between friends and allies, between enemies, the phenomenon of Heroes. Friendship, love, fidelity, honesty, self-sacrifice, forgiveness together with betrayal, hate, lie, selfishness … mixed in a true life example where they are inseparable, condemned to share the very each moment. Nothing is black, nothing is white – they live one in each other – in every single thing, in every single event, in each person, in each god. No one is good, no one is bad. Role of strength, role of wisdom, wealth, the value of liberty, the value of a word, the value of life. Destiny, the choice, the paths we take, the paths we are led by. To accept the reality or to fight for your world? The justice, the truth – who can judge and who condemns? The world and the peoples, me and my name. No second chances – one cannot answer the same question twice, go again through the past. The book is a long answer to “who we are” and “what we a doing here”. You can find yourself in this story. We are still the same. True men do cry. Everything is in this book, and everything is from life as it is. You will find much more than I have wrote here.    hide

As I detest the gates of hell, I detest that man who holds one thing in his heart and speaks forth another. This is a finger on the pulse of our inescapable humanity. My favourite part is where Helen walks by a group of old men, and rather than describe how beautiful she was, Homer just tells us that even the men in there advanced age, were spurred to stand as she passed, her beauty!

I loved the Odyssey and yet I could not even enjoy this book. I sort of feel like there is something wrong with me for saying that, but...truly. The Odyssey was much more absorbing and emotionally charged. I have nothing against war novels and such...but I could not bring myself to cherish this story like I do for most. There was too much testosterone. Even the Odyssey had Penelope; one of my...more

I loved the Odyssey and yet I could not even enjoy this book. I sort of feel like there is something wrong with me for saying that, but...truly. The Odyssey was much more absorbing and emotionally charged. I have nothing against war novels and such...but I could not bring myself to cherish this story like I do for most. There was too much testosterone. Even the Odyssey had Penelope; one of my favorite female characters of all time. Helen doesn't count. I hate her.   hide

This book is interesting because of its history, and how it tells a famous story. I love history, so this is its major appeal to me. That being said, hearing about battle after battle is not so interesting to me. It is strange how Homer portrayed all of the male characters as so childish, and yet this story was an element of pride for the greek people for so long.