The Iliad

By: Homer, Alexander Pope - translator

Narrated by: Michael Page

One of the foremost achievements in Western literature, Homer's Iliad tells the story of the darkest episode in the Trojan War. At its center is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader, Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles's close friend Patroclus, Achilles storms back into battle to take revenge - knowing full well that this will ensure his own early death.

This tragic series of events is interwoven with powerfully moving descriptions of the ebb and flow of battle, of the domestic world inside Troy's besieged city of Ilium, and of the conflicts between the gods on Olympus as they argue over the fate of mortals. The Iliad is a work of extraordinary pathos and profundity that concerns itself with issues as fundamental as the meaning of life and death. Even the heroic ethic itself - with its emphasis on pride, honor, prowess in battle, and submission to the inexorable will of the gods - is not left unquestioned. This version of The Iliad is the translation by Alexander Pope.

Public Domain (P)2010 Tantor

Narration became monotonous

This might be a product of the poetic rhythm, but I think the maturation lacked emotional variance across scenes and characters. However the narrator was very clear and easy to follow.

The longest poem.

The graphic detail of prose puts the reader directly into the battle in a way even watching a movie could not. Very long and drawn out telling but as such was the times for oral tradition/stories. Would highly recommend and set reading cadence to 1.2-1.5 for dramatic effect.

Hard but worth it

Having never read it, it was high on my to-read list. Having survived the 20 hours I can say I’m glad it’s finally over. The narrator is absolutely phenomenal, one of the best I’ve heard. But being written in verse, it was difficult for my uneducated mind to follow, despite being very familiar with the story of Troy and Achilles already as I’m a nerd. Overall, glad I listened to it, but man am I glad it’s over.

Roman Translation

All the gods and heroes are the Roman translation: Ulysses vice Odysseus, Mars vice Aries. Wished I had found a fully translated version before I bought it. Still a great classic!

A true classic but…

I’ll keep this short, I love the Iliad but the narrator is the problem. He speaks clearly but he reads the peon without any inflection or emotion resulting in a dry reciting.

Lack of heroic verse?

I Would have preferred it in dactylic hexameter. It sounded more Elizabethan than Greek heroic verse.

The beauty of Pope's Iliad made audible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Iliad?

It is not about memorable moments. It is about being swept along on the tide of Pope's words.

Excellent Interpretation of a “Chewy” classic!

This narration of “The Iliad” makes the classic very easy to follow while most enjoyable as well. I’ve attempted to read this text numerous times trying different interpretations or “tellings” of this chewy most undesirable Goliath of a poem!???! This listen really laid it out well and held my attention from beginning to end! I now see why it is considered one of the greatest works ever written; furthermore, I agree with the assessment as well, Homer does rival Virgil easily and stands equal with Alighieri and Milton; coming from me that is huge because Milton is my favorite with Dante a hair thin second! Enjoy this epic and most instructive telling of “The Iliad” a most powerful and satisfying listen!

loved the narrator, he did voices!

it's a classic, what can you say? but the narrator does voices without being silly. love that.

If you have song in your heart, you owe it to yourself to listen

Dactylic hexameter does not work in English. If you want that structure in a modern language look for a Hungarian translation, or learn Ancient Greek. This translation nevertheless manages to bring Homer’s Sun hot poem to beauty in English. Michael Page has a wonderful voice and delivers this poem in rare form. It is a shame he has not voiced the pope translation of the odyssey.