Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters presents us with his universally acclaimed modern verse translation of the world's greatest war story. Rage-Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many sturdy souls? Thus begins the stirring story of the Trojan War and the rage of Achilles that has gripped listeners and readers for 2,700 years. This timeless poem still vividly conveys the horror and heroism of men and gods wrestling with towering emotions and battling amidst devastation and destruction, as it moves inexorably to its wrenching, tragic conclusion. Renowned classicist Bernard Knox observes in his superb Introduction that although the violence of the Iliad is grim and relentless, it co-exists with both images of civilized life and a poignant yearning for peace. Combining the skills of a poet and scholar, Robert Fagles brings the energy of contemporary language to this enduring heroic epic. He maintains the drive and metric music of Homer's poetry, and evokes the impact and nuance of the Iliad's mesmerizing repeated phrases in what Peter Levi calls "an astonishing performance."

Translator's Preface ix
 INTRODUCTION
 Introduction 3 (62)
 The Spelling and Pronunciation of Homeric 65 (3)
 Names
 Maps
 Homeric Geography: Mainland Greece 68 (2)
 Homeric Geography: The Peloponnese 70 (2)
 Homeric Geography: The Aegean and Asia 72 (1)
 Minor
 Inset: Troy and Vicinity 72 (5)
 HOMER: The Iliad
 The Rage of Achilles 77 (22)
 The Great Gathering of Armies 99 (29)
 Helen Reviews the Champions 128(17)
 The Truce Erupts in War 145(19)
 Diomedes Fights the Gods 164(31)
 Hector Returns to Troy 195(19)
 Ajax Duels with Hector 214(17)
 The Tide of Battle Turns 231(20)
 The Embassy to Achilles 251(25)
 Marauding Through the Night 276(20)
 Agamemnon's Day of Glory 296(29)
 The Trojans Storm the Rampart 325(16)
 Battling for the Ships 341(28)
 Hera Outflanks Zeus 369(18)
 The Achaean Armies at Bay 387(25)
 Patroclus Fights and Dies 412(30)
 Menelaus' Finest Hour 442(25)
 The Shield of Achilles 467(21)
 The Champion Arms for Battle 488(15)
 Olympian Gods in Arms 503(17)
 Achilles Fights the River 520(21)
 The Death of Hector 541(18)
 Funeral Games for Patroclus 559(29)
 Achilles and Priam 588(33)
 NOTES
 The Genealogy of the Royal House of Troy 617(2)
 Textual Variants from the Oxford Classical 619(2)
 Text
 Notes on the Translation 621(14)
 Suggestions for Further Reading 635(4)
 Pronouncing Glossary 639