The Iliad

By: Homer

Narrated by: David McCallion

Most of the great Greek stories and epic tales are initiated over women, which is exactly what happens in the very beginning of The Iliad by Homer. The Trojan War has been waging for nearly a decade, and really erupted when Helen, the wife to Menelaos, was kidnapped and thus launched the "thousand ships" in pursuit of her. This is the reason that the Achaians and the Trojans have been fighting each other for so long. Achilles, who has become hero to the Greeks, is given the present of a slave girl for his excellence in battle. Agamemnon, the king, desires this slave girl, and thus the fight between them breaks out. Both men then draw on their friends, families, and of course the Greek Gods to help them in their specific quests, as both the Achaian and Trojan armies fight each other multiple times throughout the story.

In the end, when Achilles has killed the Trojan warrior Hektor, making it seem that he is the victor in the entire debacle, but he shows compassion at the end when he returns Hektor's body to his father, Priam, so that they can begin a proper burial ceremony and so that the town can mourn the deceased warrior.

©2015 A.R.N. Publications (P)2015 A.R.N. Publications

The Iliad

The only problem with this Audio Book is not the narration but the translation. It is far from the best.. For a great translation read Richard Lattimore's work. He maintains the original meter and cadence of the Attic Greek.