Welcome to Litsy!

This post contains spoilers

show me

so-so

The gods made me do it! 🙄
How is it I never remember that the Iliad does not end with the fall of Ilium (Troy), not even the fall of Achilles, but rather the funeral rites for Patroclus and that poor bastard Hector? Kind of a let down from a narrative perspective. The whole thing feels like it's building not just to a showdown between Achilles and Hector, but also to whether Troy will be spared or destroyed, and the book ends before you have 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? an answer! If memory serves, I think the Odyssey covers the aftermath, but it's not a very satisfying reading experience to recognize you need to read another epic to compete the tale. You know how I feel about cliffhangers.
Also from an 'all Greek myth has gotten jumbled in my head perspective' it doesn't help that the beginning of the Iliad does not start with the reasons for this conflict, the story is very much in media res, 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 3/? the campaign has been going on for years, you find out why every one is mad and fighting as it goes along.
The text is fairly heavy handed in putting forth what were the societal values of the day: honouring your host, and they honouring your solemn requests in turn, not being lost to pride or rage, affording the proper honours to the gods and the dead. 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 4/? I'm sure the text has been mined many times for what it has to say about the culture, trade, every day customs of ancient times - with the proviso of anything with this many immortal participants can't be considered too factual. Do NOT get me started on how women (that includes goddesses) were represented and treated in the text. Talk about enforcing the values of the time. 😑 4mo

See All 8 Comments

Robotswithpersonality 5/? Speaking of the text, I can appreciate the plain language, how easy it was to comprehend, but maybe some of the poetry of this epic has been lost in this particular translation? Granted I don't have a professor to explain the more complex bits this time 'round, so for a public library edition it's probably for the best!
Regardless of translation, two things stood out to me: 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 6/? Metaphors/similes for battle are heavy on the power of nature, group of soldiers like wave, stampede, etc, also hunting scenes, either men hunting prey, or predatory animals hunting prey. It's one form of violence describing another at the end of the day, but it's a solid reminder for how brutal those times likely were, how brutal war always is. 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Another heavily repeated theme were stories of families, particularly a focus on lineage, frequent digressions in the text, to prove the honour of this or that soldier is to cite their history, to introduce a new player is to mention who they're related to.
Speaking of, I know it was a good strategy to have whole sections of text repeated if you're going to have to remember to perform this whole thing orally back in the day, 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 8/? but it feels kind of ridiculous reading a copy paste of two paragraphs ago all over again. I would be completely on board for a radical reduction of the text along the lines of 'and Isis delivered the message as Zeus had dictated' END OF SCENE.
You'd drop a good chunk off the word count without harming the narrative, I daresay improving the flow. Alas, Homer is hallowed ground these days, and I think most would pitch a fit at the idea of 4mo

Robotswithpersonality 9/9 edited reproduction. That's why retellings exist. 😉

⚠️Domestic abuse, slavery, ableism, animal death, gore, misogyny 4mo

2 likes8 comments

New plan: Greek myth-sci-fi-fantasy fusion; can someone please write a story about the golden handmaids of Hephaestus?
I now have a mighty need for ancient Greek robot narratives! 💛🤖🏛️🏺

8 likes

That's right, Zeus, nothing more seductive than telling your wife you suddenly find her sexier than all the women you cheated on her with, (a partial list). 😑🙄

dabbe One of my favorite parts! 😂 4mo

10 likes1 comment

Ancient Greek smack talk. 🤌🏻

7 likes

He saved the horsies. 🥹 Though I do question the primary argument of leaving them behind because he thought they'd be hungry, when driving chariots into battle would arguably have been the more dangerous part of being present in a war/siege zone. 🤔 🐴

6 likes

Sibling rivalry is too mild a phrase for what the Olympians have going on.

5 likes

Very blockbuster action movie hero depiction:
'He's injured, but don't forget, he's hot.' 🤕🔥

dabbe 😂😂😂 5mo

8 likes1 comment

'Spear didn't work, sword didn't work, I guess I'll grab you by the head and spin you, see if I can't choke you out with your own helmet strap.'
Menelaus gets points for improvisation. 🫣

8 likes

ravenlee

The Iliad | Homer

I was so excited to get this #bookmail this week! I preordered it, but it shipped before the release date, so I was completely surprised. I need to find the time to focus on it, which is hard to do at the moment. But soon, yes…soon.

TheBookHippie Oh I want this too!!! Enjoy! 5mo

dabbe The Fagles' translation is my favorite, but I can't wait to read what you think about this one! I haven't read it yet! 🤩🤩🤩 5mo

ravenlee @dabbe I have a collection of Iliad and Odyssey editions (Odyssey is my favorite). I loved Wilson‘s Odyssey, so I‘ve been very eagerly awaiting her new work in paperback. Eventually I want to read all of my copies close together and compare them. 5mo

See All 6 Comments

dabbe @ravenlee What's your favorite ODYSSEY translation? 5mo

ravenlee @dabbe I used the Fitzgerald translation in undergrad, and it‘s my gold standard. He changed spellings to try to be more true to the original (Kirke instead of Circe), but it makes it confusing in places (like the Phaiakians). But the flow overall is really good. 5mo

dabbe @ravenlee I don't know how those spellings would work for me, but I might give him a try. Thanks for your knowledge! 🤗 5mo

25 likes1 stack add6 comments

Zeus, you are ALWAYS in a quarrel with Hera, because you can't keep it in your pants! 🤦🏼‍♂️

dabbe #truth 😂😂😂 5mo

6 likes1 comment

Billypar https://open.spotify.com/show/6fmSLa3UTGnCsKcnEaZOtg?si=uMC4rqedQ5OA17cdHZDA3g 9mo

That's because you're a DICK, Agamemnon. 🙄

CBee He is SUCH an ass 😳😳 5mo

Robotswithpersonality @CBee Everybody say: “Thank you, Clytemnestra.“ 🔪😏 5mo

dabbe @CBee Ass with a capital “A“ that starts his name! 😂 5mo

See All 8 Comments

CBee @Robotswithpersonality YES! Thank you, Clytemnestra 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😂😂😂 5mo

CBee @dabbe Asshat Agamemnon 😂😂 5mo

dabbe @CBee #perfection Achilles kinda fits that description, too! 😂😂😂 5mo

CBee @dabbe oh my gosh he does 🤭🤭 5mo

Robotswithpersonality @dabbe TRUE. 5mo

10 likes1 stack add8 comments

ImperfectCJ

The Iliad | Homer

It's a tie between The Iliad and The Odyssey (4 each), although I guess it's maybe different than "copies" since they're all different translations/interpretations. Not counting audiobooks, the next closest are Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, Feeding the Whole Family, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, and Roget's Thesaurus (2 editions each).

#SundayFunday @BookmarkTavern

BookmarkTavern Oh wow! So cool! Thanks for posting! 8mo

38 likes1 comment

CindyMyLifeIsLit

The Illiad | Homer

I have a copy of The Iliad and a set of Dickens‘ works that were both published in 1870. I also have a set of Thackeray published in 1890. I started collecting antique books a couple of years ago!
#SundayFunday

BookmarkTavern

Michael_Gee ! 8mo

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 8mo

BookmarkTavern Those look so beautiful! Thanks for posting! 8mo

30 likes3 comments

Billypar

Illiad | Homer

#TuesdayTunes @TieDyeDude
This week I'm going to recommend Open Mike Eagle's podcast 'What Had Happened Was' where each season he interviews an artist or figure significant to hip hop. Making the interviews season-long instead of varying by episode means you get about a memoir's worth of stories. I found it via a Spotify recommendation because I'm a longtime fan of Questlove's podcast, and he's the interview subject for Season 4 👇

Billypar So I already knew going in that Questlove, who definitely has the gift of the gab, would go into exhaustive detail on the making of The Roots' first four albums, and I was not disappointed. Open Mike Eagle lets him take the reins mostly, but he's got good instincts about when to jump in for a quick clarifying question or reaction. If you're a Roots fan, I highly recommend, and if not, then I recommend first becoming a Roots fan 🎶 🎛🎚🎧🥁🎤🎶 9mo

Billypar I also highly recommend Open Mike Eagle's music: this is my favorite album of his: https://open.spotify.com/album/1VDnqZVFSg0xVF104kaIix?si=ubit5ZU-Rxmm4jxp3D8yOw 9mo

See All 7 Comments

BarbaraBB I love some hip-hop so will absolutely check this out! 9mo

TieDyeDude That is so cool! I became aware of Open Mike Eagle through his guest appearances on the Thrilling Adventure Hour. He was always a highlight. I will have to check this out; love the Roots and Questlove. Questlove seems like a very interesting individual. His other projects are so diverse. Have you seen the Summer of Soul documentary? 9mo

Billypar @BarbaraBB The Roots reference so many other hip hop acts in their music that the podcast touches on quite a bit - enjoy! 9mo

Billypar @TieDyeDude I didn't know about the TAH but I've also seen him on the Netflix doc History of Swear Words. So he clearly enjoys a variety of projects! Questlove has definitely reached mogul status between okayplayer, his new publishing company, his Oscar, and books. I've seen the first half of SoS but got interrupted and have been meaning to watch the rest. It's great to see how much original footage he was able to use. (edited) 9mo

34 likes7 comments

rretzler

The Iliad | Homer

I suppose it depends on what is meant by publication date. Here is an interesting article about The Iliad, which would have to be the earliest book I have read. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/geneticists-estimate-publication-date...

BookmarkTavern

BookmarkTavern That was a really interesting article! Thank you for sharing! 9mo

36 likes1 stack add1 comment

Mollyanna

Iliad | Homer

Probably The Iliad. From what I can find it was published in the late 1400s.

Another great question, thanks for hosting @BookmarkTavern

#SundayFunday

Awk_Word_Smith Beowulf most likely. 9mo

BookmarkTavern An excellent choice! And one I still need to read! Thanks for sharing! 9mo

21 likes2 comments

dabbe

The Iliad | Robert Fagles

#TLT #ThreeListThursday

1. Translations make all the difference. Robert Fagles' translation of THE ILIAD made me appreciate what I hated in high school.
2. THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING: by far my favorite Arthurian story.
3. SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson: to remind me that EVERY story is essentially a hero's journey, and it doesn't have to be “super“ or “epic“. It just has to feel real.
All are welcome to play and tagging as many as I can! 😍

mcctrish, BarkingMadRead, iread2much, AmyG, TheBookHippie, Texreader, Aimeesue, TheLudicReader, julesG, Eggs, Bookwormjillk, Read4life, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks, TheBookgeekFrau, Ruthiella, TheSpineView, CBee, IndoorDame, Enchanted_Bibliophile, bthegood, lil1inblue, KateReadsYA, julieclair, AnnCrystal, WildAlaskaBibliophile

TheSpineView Thanks for the tag!😘💜🏷 10mo

Enchanted_Bibliophile Thanks for the tag 😄 10mo

CBee #3 - I agree wholeheartedly! I‘d have to mention the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and of course the Hobbit - heroes come in all sizes ♥️ 10mo

See All 15 Comments

dabbe @TheSpineView 😘 10mo

dabbe @Enchanted_Bibliophile 😘 10mo

dabbe @CBee Thank goodness! I had a hard choice between RINGS and OAFK. 💚💙💚 10mo

AnnCrystal Thank you for the tag @dabbe ☺️👍. 10mo

dabbe @AnnCrystal 😘 10mo

julieclair Thanks for the tag! I need to step up my hero quest reading game, because the only one I can think of is Harry Potter. But I do have a 3-list Hero Quest TBR: 1. Percy Jackson 2. A Court of Thorns and Roses 3. The Hobbit (hard to believe I have never read this). 10mo

iread2much Thanks for the tag 1. The Redemption of Althalus, 2. Silver on the Road, 3. Tailchaser‘s Song. 😊 10mo

dabbe @julieclair That's kinda why I ask these questions! I'm always looking for new books--even though I have too many on the TBR as it is. I guess you could call it my book quest! 🤩 Thanks for sharing. 💚💙💚 10mo

dabbe @iread2much I need to read more fantasy! All on the TBR now. Thanks for sharing. The Redemption of Althalus, 10mo

julieclair @dabbe I‘m right there on the book quest with you. There is no such thing as too many books on the TBR! 😉📚📚📚📚📚💙 10mo

dabbe @julieclair #amensista! 🤩😍😃 10mo

iread2much @dabbe my husband and I both love that book, it was one of the books that was featured in our wedding cake 🎂 (it was a stack of books) 10mo

49 likes15 comments

heatherspoetlife

Iliad: A New Translation | Caroline Alexander

I was feeling guilty about listening to an audiobook of The Iliad instead of reading it and then I remembered ....

It was meant to be heard. Not that I don't always love audiobooks. I'm excited to start this version

8 likes

Oryx

The Iliad | Homer

Thanks @julesg for restoring my Litsy app so I can do my first #gladstonerds post of 2023.

Bookzombie Yay! That‘s great! 1y

65 likes1 comment

ImperfectCJ

The Iliad | Homer

There's the fun thing about preorders...I forget I ordered them until they show up in my mailbox. It's like a surprise gift I send to myself. :-) I loved Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey so much, I had to nab her Iliad, too.

dabbe Have you ever read Robert Fagles' translations? I'd love to know how they compare to hers. 1y

Bklover And sometimes there‘s the added question of “Why did I buy this book?”! 1y

ImperfectCJ @dabbe I have the Fagles for both. I haven't read them through, just dipped in and out as I needed to for whatever I was studying, but I was happily able to read the Wilson Odyssey through. Her idea, I think, is to try to capture the tone of the original, so the reader gets a sense of what it would have been like to hear it recited. I think I'm too far removed from Ancient Greece to get that, but I very much enjoy her Odyssey. 1y

See All 6 Comments

ImperfectCJ @Bklover Indeed! Sometimes I do that even without preordering ;-) 1y

TheBookHippie I preordered this too!!! 1y

dabbe @ImperfectCJ I think my shelves need her editions as well. Thanks for your insight! 🧡💛🧡 1y

47 likes6 comments

Nessavamusic

The Iliad | Homer

1. Definitely tagged which I read in High School.
2. I love a duology, it feels like a full story without a big commitment. Though I don‘t mind a long series.
3. The Green Bone Saga which I just finished early this month. I hope she writes more in this world!
#wondrouswednesday @Eggs

Eggs Thanks for joining in 👍🏼 2y

29 likes1 comment

wanderinglynn

The Iliad | Homer

#wondrouswednesday

1. Probably The Iliad, written in 8th century BC, published in English in 1598

2. Depends on the series and if it‘s still interesting to me. JD Robb‘s In Death series is up to 56 and I still enjoy it. But other series, I‘ve burned out after 7 or 8.

3. Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. I was sad but book 10 was a good place to end it.

Eggs

Eggs Thanks for the thoughtful responses 🙌🏻 2y

49 likes1 comment

ravenlee

The Iliad | Homer

@dabbe as for your question, I have kind of an Odyssey problem! I love it so much I‘ve collected several translations over the years. I first studied the Fitzgerald in college, which is great but uses Ks instead of Cs (Kirke not Circe) and can be confusing. I think I read the Fagles the next time I studied it but I‘m not sure. I loved the Wilson translation because it gives a different perspective, and it‘s beautiful. Not sure I can pick just one!

ravenlee I forgot my graphic novel isn‘t in the picture, as kiddo used it for history this year. It‘s awesome, too.

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel

dabbe I read Fitzgerald for THE ILIAD in college, and the Ks about killed me. Read Fagles for both, but based on what you wrote, I want to give Wilson a try. I agree that the perspective would be extremely interesting. Thanks. 🤗 #odysseyproblem ... LOVE that! 🩵🤍🩵 2y

ravenlee @dabbe I didn‘t mind the Fitzgerald so much that first time, because it was the first time! But trying to sort out who some of those people were later (the Phaikians really threw me!), that was a killer. I really liked the introduction Wilson wrote, though at the moment I can‘t recall specifics. 2y

38 likes3 comments

ravenlee

The Iliad | Homer

Well, lookie here - publishing in September, Emily Wilson‘s translation of The Iliad! Now the difficult question: to wait forever for the paperback to match my Odyssey, or dive in as soon as there‘s a decent price on the hardcover? Decisions, decisions.

Zoes_Human YAY! 2y

dabbe Have you read Fagles' translation? Do you prefer hers? Inquiring minds want to know! I've never read her but only Fagles. Would it be worth it to read hers, too? 😍 2y

ImperfectCJ Ooh! I have Caroline Alexander's Iliad translation, but I love Wilson's Odyssey so much, I think I need her Iliad, too! 2y

33 likes3 comments

ImperfectCJ

The Iliad: A New Translation by Caroline Alexander | Homer

I started the Caroline Alexander translation of The Iliad on audio, but I think I'm going to need to read the print version to retain any of it. I focused well during the introduction (super interesting!) but kept spacing out during the actual story. Which is unfortunate because I have much more time to put books in my ears than to put them in front of my eyes.

A rose from our garden. Our landlord has a landscaper, so I enjoy them but do no work.

dabbe Beautiful flower! 💐 2y

48 likes1 comment

kelli7990

The Illiad | Homer

pick

Here‘s my review for a book I just finished reading.

10 likes

kelli7990

The Illiad | Homer

I found a different translation of the Illiad. This one is for children but I think this one will work better for me since I‘m struggling to understand the translation that I‘m currently trying to read.

9 likes

kelli7990

The Illiad | Homer

I decided to start this book next. I want to learn about Greek Mythology because I don‘t know anything about it. I listened to the first 5 books of this audiobook and listened to book summaries of each book on YouTube but I don‘t feel like I retained the information. I‘m interested in this story but I can‘t explain what‘s going on. All I know is that Greek Gods are fighting with each other.

9 likes

dabbe

The Iliad | Homer

#TemptingTitles
@Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Starting with the 1st complete book of western civilization that we have. Iliad means “Troy.“ 💜

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤎📚 2y

Eggs Brilliant 😊🤩 2y

dabbe @Eggs ... @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🤩🤗🥰 2y

61 likes3 comments

dabbe

The Iliad | Homer

#epicpoetrymatters
@TheSpineView
#sly

TheSpineView Such a great poem!💗 2y

thebackyardgnome Gotta love thosr extra-epic parts of epic poems 2y

dabbe @thebackyardgnome 🤣 2y

dabbe @TheSpineView I hated reading it in high school because the translation was from the 1700s. Our school was lucky to get a modern translation by Robert Fagles that I used when teaching it to the honors freshmen. What a world of difference a translation can make! ❣️ 2y

TheSpineView @dabbe I can't remember what translation I read. Of course, I've slept since then! 🤣 2y

38 likes5 comments

DavidDiamond

The Illiad | Homer

This is just awful. This is an iconic bookstore here in Los Angeles. Here is the GoFundMe if you want to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/iliad-bookshop-needs-help-recovering-from-arson

fredamans 😖 2y

marleed That‘s heartbreaking. 2y

26 likes2 comments

Super_Jane

The Iliad | Homer

so-so

3.5/5. I don‘t know why I decided to read this. #2022 #june2022 #greekmythology #june

1 like

Therewillbebooks

The Illiad | Homer

Awhile back we created fantasy football teams with authors, we put a lot of thought and effort into this silly idea and we enjoyed it so much that we are back for baseball. Tonight, learn how much Matt loves this concept. Would he abandon everything and create fake author baseball teams all over the country? Maybe. We hope you make your own team and nerd out on this ridiculous idea. Enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hrzGltI5l8lVmtwYsw4Hx

38 likes1 stack add

tenar

The Iliad | Homer

pick

After fourteen intense hours, I‘m proud to say I read The Iliad! I‘d not been exposed to it before, and I was as intimidated as I was intrigued. I thank y‘all who read things like Homer and Shakespeare so casually here on Litsy; you make me feel like I can, too.

Caroline Alexander‘s translation was much more readable than I expected, and I found the extended similes exquisitely beautiful. My favorite part was meeting the disabled god Hephaestus.

Amiable Great job! Congratulations! 3y

LeahBergen Woohoo! 👏🏻👏🏻 3y

Suet624 I agree that others make it look so easy. 😎 congrats! 3y

See All 9 Comments

tenar @Amiable @LeahBergen @Suet624 Thank you! I‘ve read more and more widely since joining Litsy; y‘all are good influences 😉 3y

batsy Yay! I have this translation and I'm looking forward to tackling it sometime soon 🙂 3y

tenar @batsy Can‘t wait to hear what you think! I obviously have nothing to compare it to, but I found this one not only easy to read but easy to imagine performed, which delighted me. 3y

Hamlet Congratulations! I also love big epic similes & am excited for this translation. Well done. You‘re a fearless reader now! 3y

tenar @Hamlet Your comment really made me smile!! ☺️ I hope you enjoy Alexander‘s take on the fabulous similes! 3y

E.Bolhafner mmm I haven't read this version yet but The Iliad is on my reread list {I last read it in 2017}. The Fagles translation struck me as tedious and not just the naming of the ships part 0.o. But TBH I have been reading this for decades. That whole you learn something new upon rereading is true. 2y

40 likes2 stack adds9 comments

Rehesina

pick

I just realised that this is the 4th time I‘m reading the Iliad. This is also the second time I‘m reading the translation by Stephen Mitchell, which honestly makes the experience even better. I hope some day I can learn greek and actually read the Iliad, until then I will be reading this again and again.

33 likes1 stack add

The Iliad | Homer

My #bookspin list for December!

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y

71 likes1 comment

The Iliad | Homer

It‘s Iliad study time! I really feel Bernie‘s mood today, hopefully this will get me out of today‘s funk. 😜

AmyG I am so feeling Bernie. 3y

Leftcoastzen I am too! 3y

99 likes2 comments

The Iliad | Homer

It‘s a Greek mythology kind of day.

SamAnne I‘m hoping to finally get my reread of the Iliad started! But def starting Song of Achilles this week. 3y

alisiakae @SamAnne I‘m behind on my plan to read a chapter a day of the Iliad, but still hoping to finish by the end of the month. I forgot just how violent some of the chapters can be! But also loving the insults the gods throw at each other 🤣 3y

76 likes2 stack adds2 comments

The Iliad | Homer

Why yes, I will be sharing some funny Iliad memes while I read. 😁

AFrostCauseReads I love this, can‘t wait for more! 3y

SamAnne Okay @4thhouseontheleft I‘m diving into The Iliad a couple weeks early. I‘m reading Caroline Alexander‘s translation. Cannot. Resist. Memes. Plus I‘m currently reading A Thousand Ships and will be reading Song of Achilles next month. 3y

alisiakae @samanne Want to do a #buddyread? I‘ll be reading A Song of Achilles next too! And I have Ariadne on my plate right now for #lmpbc. I found some lectures and a syllabus online I am following along while I read The Iliad. And I am planning The Odyssey for November. (edited) 3y

Oryx I'm here for all the Iliad and Odyssey memes you can throw at us. 3y

64 likes4 comments

arielmonsen

Iliad | Homer

first required reading of college

SamAnne It was the first book I was assigned to read too! We made a drinking game involving the phrases Rosy fingered dawn and his such. Planning a reread next month. 3y

6 likes1 comment