The Iliad of Homer

Rodney Merrill speaks about his translation of the Iliad.

Achilles keeps dragging Hektor; angered, Zeus says he must give up the body; with Hermes’ aid Priam goes to ransom it; they meet, Achilles restrains the battle, and Hektor is buried.

In sleep, Achilles sees Patróklos; he mourns; the winds light the pyre. He holds funeral games: chariot-race, boxing, wrestling, foot-race, spear-fight, hurling a lump, archery, and spear-throw.

His parents beg Hektor to come into the city; Hektor refuses and Achilles chases him; Athena deceives Hektor into stopping; Achilles strikes him, rejects his dying plea, and drags him by his ankles; the women wail.

Achilles kills many men in the river, who begs him to stop; refused, he attacks and chases him; Hera sends Hephaistos to quell the river; the gods oppose each other; the Trojans go into the city.

Zeus sends the gods to aid both sides; Achilles speaks and fights with Aineías, whom Poseidon saves, then faces Hektor, whom Apollo saves, but Achilles keeps on rampaging and killing.

Receiving the arms, Achilles renounces his wrath; Agamemnon blames Delusion, which harms even Zeus, and gives both gifts and girl to Achilles, who arms; the horse Xanthos foretells his death.

Achilles, Thetis, and sea-nymphs lament the heroes’ death; Achilles rescues Patróklos’ body; at Thetis’ request, Hephaistos makes arms for her son, including an elaborate shield.

Achaians and Trojans battle over Patroklos’ body; Hektor dons Achilles’ armor; with gods aiding, both sides rally; Achilles’ horses weep; Meneláos sends Antílochos to tell Achilles.

Yielding to Patroklos’ plea, Achilles sends him out with the Mÿrmidons; he kills Sarpédon and routs the Trojans; Apollo takes the body, rouses Hektor, and helps him kill Patróklos.