The Iliad of Homer, Rendered into English Blank Verse

Generally well-read, verse version

(4 stars)

Shikari

I've not heard the Earl of Derby's version before, but it seems a faithful version (I've only listened to book one so far). The translator tends to use Latinized names of gods (Juno for Hera, Jove for Zeus) but does so accurately and consistently. Some people may not like this, but it is a legitimate choice by the translator. For people unversed in Graeco-Roman mythology, the translator's decision to follow Homer accurately may be more problematic. Achilles is often Peleus' son, Agamemnon Atreus' son, Apollo Latona's son, all as Homer writes but difficult for the unversed listener. The language may be a little difficult for some listeners, but it it well written. The reader is admirably clear and well-paced and seems to have little difficulty with the names, a crucial matter with ancient texts. I could only see one variation from the text in Book One, and that might be a difference in his text as the book went through a number of revisions. My one negative criticism is that he does not always carefully follow the translator's careful indications of how words should be scanned, so Atreus' son is read as /'A.tri.us.es son/, not /'A.tri.us son/ (i.e. he reads it as if the translator had written Atreus's son), while conversely 'with wingèd words' is read as /with wingd werdz/ not /with 'wing.ed werdz/, in each case distorting the metre. Still, an admirable reading.

The Iliad of Homer, Rendered into English Blank Verse

(0 stars)

BenjaminS.T.

This is a huge audiobook to try to get through. I can't guarantee if I will be able to get to this as quick as I'd like to as a listener but am thinking about trying to listen to it as soon as I can though. This is just an update: I've gotten through the first book and as now trying the second one. The Iliad of Homer it isn't as easy to follow as I thought it would be for me. I get the feeling I'd do better with it if I had been learning about ancient Greece and if it was read by a full cast of differing reader voices. I might set up a short playlist of the first 3 or 4 books and repeat the playback of the playlist a couple of times before I go further into this piece of historical literature. Generally speaking I think Michael Armenta has a pretty good vocal sound when he reads.

Well read, well written.

(5 stars)

James

This is a masterful translation of Homer's text, which captures, through skillful verse craft and archaic language the majesty and arcane allure of the original Greek. As to the romanization of the names of the various gods, the more erudite will recognize this as the hallmark of a very tradition of translation, dating back to the days of Rome, and prevailing for two thousand years hence in the nations of the west which bear her heritage as their inheritance. The reader is excellent: he possesses a good cadence, a fine interpretive skill, and a prudent dramatic sense which is neither monotonous nor flamboyant. A man, perhaps, amongst the moderns who truly deserves the accolades of a rhapsode for his achievement in this recording.

Fantastic job

(5 stars)

thursey

I listen to a good few classical texts on LibriVox and this is easily one of the best. The reader makes a few mistakes with pronunciation but they are consistent and not distracting. Also, I don’t understand criticism of the translation or the work itself here, as I assumed reviews are for the reader. (If you wanna know about the text itself, get on goodreads etc.) Overall a committed reading by a talented reader, highly recommend this version!

I would love to hear any Feedback.

(0 stars)

marmenta

To the listener. I realize that listening to this is a huge task. Most people don't get past the 2nd half of Book 2. Skip the 2nd half of Book 2. It is not at all important or necessary. You're not going to miss a thing. In fact it may help comprehension and retention of the plot.

Roman Gods in a Greek epic...

(0.5 stars)

why?

Why are there so many translations of the Iliad that use the Roman names for the Greek Gods? Rome wasn't even a thought at the time of Homer. Lazy translation and editing. Very immersion breaking.

(1 stars)

Dr. Sandstrom

Just as bad as when I had to translate it from Latin in high school. It’s a classic so it’s supposed to be great. No thank you!

First Time Listening This Poem

(5 stars)

Mr. Marx

This is my first time listening to the Iliad. Though it took a while to get used to the poem, I listened to each book three times, overall I thought it was well read. Good work Michael