Customer Reviews

The Iliad

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Michael Reck's translation of The Iliad is clear, compelling, and masterful. Anyone with a passing interest in war, tragedy, Greek mythology or a good story should pick up this book. This translation has an excellent foreward that manages to be both insightful and non-academic; detailed maps of the ancient Greek world; a one-page plot summary; historical information on the "real" city of Troy; and a glossary of people and place names. Of course, the outstanding feature is Reck's rendering of Homer's language. This is no musty, archaic tome but a vibrant, forceful epic. By all means, read it.

I teach the Iliad regularly, in the original or in translation. Reck's version is far and away my favorite complete version in English. It has the pace of the original -- swift, never draggy even in the battle scenes. It is also in crisp, metrical English verse, not the "loose 5-beat lines" affected by some translators.

Although Reck sacrifices the word-for-word literalness of some other versions, his translation is accurate. A translator does not need to put the formulaic phrases (such as the epithets for names) in exactly the same places as they appear in the Greek -- because the constraints of the translator's chosen form are inevitably different from those of the original. After all, one major function of the formulae is to fill out and fit into verse lines. Insisting that we must have "Achilles swift of foot" where the Greek has po/das w)ku/s *)axilleu/s, and "god-like Achilles" where the Greek has di=os *)axilleu/s, and so on is unnecessary pedantry in a version intended for reading. (In a version with different goals this might not be so pedantic.)

What Reck gives the reader is the tone and style of the original in a way admirably suited to the English language. This is therefore the translation I assign, and I am deeply disappointed to see it is out of print.

I don't think that this translation has been given the respect it deserves. It could be called low-brow or simplified, suitable only for children. I think such comments spring from snobbishness. The langauge is simple, but forceful. It moves at a short, brisk pace, suitable for a war story. It is meant to be read out loud. Readability is nothing to be ashamed of either. If you doubt that, try reading Lattimore's translation of the Iliad.

I would probably choose Fagles over this translation, if I had to choose one, but I recommend taking a look at this.

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 far 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 too late to save themselves from a tragic fate. Achilles is similar to Hercules in this regard, and although they are both strictly considered demi-gods, the Achaean hero ultimately seems more human. Additionally, Achilles's stature is enhanced by his opposition to the noble Hector, breaker of horses; acknowledging the better warrior does not take away from recognizing the greater hero. After all, it is the figure of Hector who begins the idealized notion of the worthy and noble opponent, which has continued throughout the course of Western civilization and included such historical figures as Robert E. Lee and Irwin Rommell.

Add to this the fact that all the gods and goddesses of Olympus are actively involved in the proceedings rather than Athena trying to save Odysseus from Poseideon's wrath, and I am convinced the "Iliad" is the more worthy book for inclusion into most classes dealing with Classical Mythology or the Ancient Greeks. This is where students will get the best understanding of the Homeric concept of the Olympian gods, which would then be challenged by the tragic poets of Athens several centuries later. I also like to use the "Iliad" as part of a larger epic involving the plays of Euripides, specifically "Iphigenia at Aulis" (which presages the conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon that begins the "Iliad") and "Trojan Women" (which finishes the story of the four women who lament over Hector's body when it is returned to Troy) 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, which serves as the true dramatic climax of Homer's epic poem.

This translation by Michael Pierce Reck is geared towards the modern student forced to read this epic poem against their will, as compared to the Robert Fagles translation which tries to be faithful to the style and spirit of Homer's original language. Purists might not appreciate Reck's use of vernacular, but if it speaks to students who might not otherwise care about the rage of Achilles then that would be a good thing. Actually, I am rather surprised that there are so many decent translations of the Iliad out there that instructors can choose between for their students. For high school teachers, the Reck translation is a strong possibility.