Selections from Homer's Iliad and Odusseia

By Philippe Nonet

These Selections from Homer's Iliad and Odusseia confine themselves to the highest moments of epic poetry in the work of Homer. The translation seeks above all to preserve the terseness and sobriety of Homer's writing. The usual verbosity of English, especially "poetic" English, is utterly contrary to the noble tone of Homer. The translation attempts also, insofar as possible, to follow the articulation of the Greek text into separate verses, partly in order to respect the way thoughts unfold in Homer, partly to ease the work of readers who may wish to move from English to Greek, or vice versa.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483574899

Book preview

2015

Selections from

HOMER'S ILIAD

[I. Agamemnôn’s Atè¹]

Book A (I)

The wrath sing, goddess,² of Pèleus' son Achilleus,

devastating, that brought countless pains to Achaians,³

and hurled to Aidès many brave souls

of warriors, but let them be prey for all dogs

[5] and birds, and Zeus' resolve was fulfilled,

from whence they first parted in strife,

Atreus' son, lord of men, and bright Achilleus.

Who of the gods joined them in strife to fight?

The son of Lètô and Zeus. For angered at the king,

[10] he drove bad illness into camp, and men were perishing,

because Chrusès the priest he dishonored,

Atreus' son. He [the priest] had come to the swift Achaian ships

to release his daughter, bringing countless ransom,

holding in hands the wreath of sharp-shooter⁴ Apollo,

on a golden staff, and he prayed (lissesthai)⁵ all Achaians,

and mostly Atreus' two sons, who adorn the host:

"Sons of Atreus and you other well-greaved Achaians,

may the gods who have houses on Olumpos give you

to sack Priam's polis,⁶ and to go home well,

[20] but release to me my child, and accept this in ransom,

in awe of Zeus' son, sharp-shooter Apollo."

Then all other Achaians spoke well

of having regard (aidôs)⁷ for the priest and accepting the glorious ransom;

but this did not please the soul of Atreus' son Agamemnôn,

and badly he expelled him [the priest], and issued a strong word:

"Never, old man, may I meet you by the hollow ships,

either now tarrying or later coming back,

lest of no use to you be the staff and wreath of the god.

Her I will not release until old age comes upon her

[30] in our house, in Argos, far from her fatherland,

attending to the loom and meeting me in bed.

Now go, do not anger me, that you may return safer."

So he said, and the old man feared and obeyed his word.

And he went silent on the shore of loud-sounding sea.

Much then, gone away, did the old man pray

Apollo his lord, to whom well-haired Lètô gave birth:

"Hear me, god-of-the-silver-bow, who walks about Chrusè

and sacred Killa, and lords strong over Tenedos,

Smintheus,⁸ if ever to your delight I roofed a shrine,

[40] or if ever to you fat thigh pieces I burned

of bulls or goats, fulfill for me this wish:

let Danaans pay for my tears by your darts."

So said he praying, and him heard Phoibos Apollo,

and down the peaks of Olumpos he stepped, angry at heart,

holding the bow on his shoulders and the hooded quiver,

and darts clashed on his shoulders as angry

he moved. And he came like night.

He sat then away from the ships, and threw an arrow.

Deinè⁹ was the twang of the silver bow.

[50] Mules first he assailed, and flashing dogs,

but then upon them he threw the stinging arrow

and struck, and ever pyres of corpses burned crowded.

Nine days in camp went the god's arrows,

but on the tenth Achilleus called the host to gather;

she put it in his mind, goddess white-armed Hèra,

because she grieved for Danaans, seeing them die.

When they had gathered and come all together,

among them rose and spoke swift-footed Achilleus:

"Son of Atreus, now I think driven back we

[60] shall return home, if we escape death,

when at once war and the plague subdue Achaians.

But come, let us ask a seer or priest

or dream-reader, for a dream too is from Zeus,

who may tell why so angered is Phoibos Apollo,

whether for a prayer he blames us, or for a hekatomb,¹⁰

if perhaps the savor of lambs or perfect goats

he will accept and ward off the plague from us."

So he spoke and sat down, and among them rose

Kalchas, son of Thestor, by far the best of bird-readers,

[70] who knew what is and what will be and what was before,

and had led Achaian ships to Ilios

with his prophecy, that him gave Phoibos Apollo.

He thinking-well¹¹ addressed the gathering and spoke:

"O Achilleus, beloved of Zeus, you ask me to tell

the wrath of Apollo, the lord and sharp-shooter;

then I shall speak; but you hear me and swear

that you will readily defend me with word and hand;

for I think I shall anger a man who mightily over all

Argives holds power, and whom Achaians obey,

[80] For mightier is a king, when angered by lesser men.

Even if his anger for this day he swallows down,

yet afterwards he holds a grudge until fulfillment

in his breast. You then think if you will save me."

Then answering him spoke swift-footed Achilleus:

"Rest assured and speak the word-of-god you know,

for by Apollo, beloved of Zeus, whom you, Kalchas,

pray when you tell Danaans the word-of-god,

no one, while on earth I live and see,

along the hollow ships will lay heavy hands on you,

[90] no one of all Danaans, even if you mean Agamemnôn,

who now claims to be by far the best of Achaians."

Then reassured the blameless seer spoke:

"Not for a prayer does he blame, nor a hekatomb,

but because of his priest, whom dishonored has Agamemnôn,

and would not release the daughter, nor accept the ransom;

on that account pains gave the sharp-shooter, and will still give;

not from Danaans will he drive off the unseemly bane,

until to her father they give back the bright-eyed girl

unpaid, unransomed, and lead a holy hekatomb

[100] to Chrusè; then might we appease and persuade him."

So he spoke and sat down, and among them rose

the warrior Atreus' son, wide-lording Agamemnôn

distressed; with fury was his black mind all

filled, and his eyes were like blazing fire.

Kalchas first badly he eyed and spoke:

"Prophet of ills, never to me any good have you told,

always ills are yours in mind to prophesy,

a good word never have you told or accomplished.

And now to Danaans in gathering a word-of-god you bring,

[110] why to them the sharp-shooter causes pain,

because I for the girl Chrusèis glorious ransom

I would not accept, since much I intend her

to keep in my house. For her I prefer over Klutaimnèstra,

my wedded wife, since she is not her inferior,

not in body, nor stature, nor wits, nor at work.

Even so, I will give her back, if that is better;

I myself want the host safe rather than to perish.

But for me let a prize forthwith be prepared, so that not alone

of Argives I shall be without prize, since that is unseemly;

[120] for you all see this, that my prize goes elsewhere."

Him answered then swift-footed bright Achilleus:

"Son of Atreus, most glorious, greediest of all,

how can they give you a prize, the great-souled Achaians?

We know not of much lying in common store,

but what we took from poleis we sacked, that was divided;

it would be unseemly to gather that back from the host.

You for now send her back to the god; then we Achaians

thrice and four times shall pay you back, if ever Zeus

will give us the strong-walled polis of Troy to sack."

[130] Then answering him spoke lord Agamemnôn:

"Not so, good as you are, god-like Achilleus,

do you cheat by wit, you will neither bypass nor persuade me.

Would you, while you keep your prize, that I thus

sit in want, and you ask me to give her back?

Either they will give me a prize, the great-souled Achaians,

suited to my desire, to be of same worth;

or they will not give, and I myself shall take

either yours or Aias' prize or Odusseus',

I shall take away; he will be angry, to whom I shall come.

[140] But this we shall think through later,

now come, let us pull a black ship to bright sea,

and in it gather rowers fit, and in it a hekatomb

let us put, and her Chrusèis of-shining-cheeks

let us bring; and let one be commander, a man of the council,

either Aias or Idomeneus or bright Odusseus

or you, Pèleus' son, most terrible of all men,

that for us the sharp-shooter you may appease by sacrifice."

Then eyeing him from beneath, spoke swift-footed Achilleus:

"Ah me, you clothed in shamelessness, greedy-mind,

[150] how will any Achaian readily obey your word

and go the way and fight men by force?

Not on account of Trojan spearmen did I come

here to fight, since not a bit to me they must answer;

never my cows did they drive away or my horses,

nor ever in Phthia, rich-soiled, man-feeding,

did they spoil the harvest, with so much between us,

mountains shadowy and sea resounding;

but you, shameless one, we followed, to please you,

to win honor for Menelaos and you, dog-face,

[160] from Trojans; for this no regard have you or care;

and from me the prize yourself you threaten to take away,

for which I toiled much, a gift to me from the sons of Achaia.

Never equal to yours do I have a prize, when Achaians

of Trojans sack a well-peopled polis;

the greater part of tumultuous war

my hands bear; but when the time of sharing comes,

your prize is far greater, and little as mine

do I have as I go to my ships, when tired of fighting.

So now I shall go to Phthia, since far better it is

[170] to go home with my curved ships, and I will not for you

here in dishonor draw wealth and riches."

Him answered then the lord of men Agamemnôn:

"Do flee, if your spirit so urges, and you I will not

pray (lissesthai) to stay for my sake; with me are others

who will honor me, mostly Zeus the counselor.

Most hated by me are you of kings nurtured-by-Zeus;

for always to you strife is dear, and wars and fights.

If indeed mighty you are, a god somehow gave it to you.

Go home with your ships and your company,

[180] lord it over Murmidons, for you I do not care,

and I mind not your grudge. But this I threaten you:

since from me he took away Chrusèis, Phoibos Apollo,

her with my ships and my company

I shall send, but I will take Brisèis of-shining-cheeks

and myself go to your camp, your prize, that you know well

how much better I am than you, and others may hate

to think themselves equal to me, and liken themselves to me in my face."

So said he. But to Pèleus' son grief came, and his heart

in his hairy breast was split-in-two and wondered,

[190] whether to draw the sharp sword from the side of his thigh,

and disperse them, and despoil Atreus' son,

or to quiet his anger and to curb his spirit.

While he turned this over in mind and soul,

and drew from the sheath his great sword, came Athena

from the sky; forth indeed sent her goddess white-armed Hèra,

of both alike in her soul fond and caring.

[Athena] stood behind, and by his blond hair seized Pèleus' son,

to him alone showing herself; of others not one saw.

Achilleus was astounded, turned about, and straightaway knew

[200] Pallas Athena; deinô did her¹² eyes shine;

then to her aloud he addressed winged words:

"Why again, child of aigis-bearing¹³ Zeus, have you come?

To see the hubris¹⁴ of Agamemnôn, Atreus' son?

I will tell you, and this will be fulfilled, I think:

for his overbearing, soon his soul he will loose."

Then to him spoke goddess flashing-eyed¹⁵ Athena:

"I came to quiet your fury, if you will obey,

from the sky; forth sent me goddess white-armed Hèra,

of you both alike in her soul fond and caring.

[210] Come and let go the strife, do not draw sword in hand;

but in words assail him with how it will be;

this indeed I tell you, and it will be fulfilled.

In time to you three times as many will come glorious gifts

on account of this hubris; but you hold yourself, obey us."

Then answering her spoke swift-footed Achilleus:

"I must of you both, goddess, keep the word,

however much in soul I am angry; so is it best.

Whoever obeys gods, more will they hear him."

Said he and on the silver hilt he held his heavy hand,

[220] back in the sheath he pushed the great sword, and did not disobey

the word of Athena; but she to Olumpos was gone

in the house of aigis-bearing Zeus among the other gods.

But Pèleus' son again with biting words

addressed Atreus' son, and in no way held his anger:

"Wine-heavy, a dog's eyes you have, and a deer's heart,

never to fight with the host do you arm,

or to ambush do you go with the best Achaians,

daring in soul; that to you looks like death.

Far better is it in the wide camp of Achaia

[230] gifts to rob for yourself from whomever speaks against you.

People-eating king, over nullities you lord,

or else, Atreus' son, now were your last abuse.

But I will tell you, and a great oath I shall swear,

by this staff, that never leaves or shoots

will grow, since long its cut in mountains it left,

and will not bloom; for bronze has stripped it

of leaves and bark; and now the sons of Achaia

in hand bear it attending-to-dikè,¹⁶ when the laws

for Zeus they guard; great shall this oath be sworn:

[240] then for Achilleus a want will come over the sons of Achaia,

all of them, when you cannot for all your grief

help them, and many under Hektôr the man-killer

in death shall fall; and you inside your soul will gnaw

angry that to the best of Achaians no honor you paid."

So said Pèleus' son, and threw to the ground the staff

studded of golden nails, and sat himself;

opposite him Atreus' son was in wrath; then among them Nestôr

of pleasing-words rose, the clear-voiced orator from Pulos,

from whose tongue sweeter than honey flowed speech.

[250] In his face already two generations of mortals

had perished, who before then with him had been reared and born

in divine Pulos, and over the third he lorded.

He thinking-well addressed the gathering and spoke:

"Alas, great grief has come upon the land of Achaia;

rejoice would Priam and Priam's children,

and other Trojans greatly would be delighted in soul,

if of you all that they learned, this strife

of you who surpass Danaans in counsel, and surpass them in fight.

But listen; both of you are younger than I.

[260] Already have I with men better than you

consorted, and never did they make light of me.

Never since did I see such men, and never shall I see,

such as Peirithoos and Druas, shepherd of the host,

and Kaineus and Exadios and god-like Poluphèmos,

[and Theseus, Aigeus' son, the like of immortals.]¹⁷

mightiest were these of men reared on earth;

mightiest were they and with the mightiest they fought,

with the wild mountain-dwellers, and terribly they destroyed.

With them I myself consorted, having come from Pulos,

[270] from afar out of a distant land¹⁸; for they called me of themselves.

And I fought on my own, I; with these not one

of mortals who now are on earth could fight;

and my counsel they heard and listened to my word.

Now listen you too, for listening is better.

Do not you, good as you are, from him take the girl,

leave her, since to him first they gave her as prize, the sons of Achaia;

do not you, Pèleus' son, seek to quarrel with a king

face to face, for never the same is the share of honor

of a staff-bearing king, to whom Zeus gave glory.

[280] Though mighty you are, and a goddess was your mother,

still he is better, since over more he is lord.

Son of Atreus, you quiet your fury; indeed I myself

pray (lissesthai) you against Achilleus to let anger go, who for all

Achaians stands as a great wall in evil war."

Then answering him spoke lord Agamemnôn:

"Yes all that, old man, you said in accord with moira.¹⁹

But this man means to surpass all others,

over all to prevail he means, of all to be lord,

to all to give orders, but some one will not obey, I think.

[290] If him a spearman they made, the gods who always are,

do they therefore set him free to speak insults?"

Then breaking in bright Achilleus answered him:

"Because a coward and a nullity I should be called,

if to you in all things I shall yield, whatever you say.

To others command in this way, but do not to me

give orders; no longer shall I listen to you, I think.

And another thing I tell you, and you cast it in your mind:

by hands shall I not fight on account of the girl

either you or any other, since you take away what you gave;

[300] but of other things that are mine by my swift black ship,

none shall you carry and take against my will.

Come and try, that these too may know;

quick shall your black blood rush along my spear."

So having fought with violent words,

they rose and disbanded the gathering by Achaian ships.

Pèleus' son to his camp and balanced ships

went with Menoitios' son and his companions;

while Atreus' son launched a swift ship on sea,

for it chose rowers twenty, on it a hekatomb

[310] brought for the god, and in it Chrusèis of-shining-cheeks

led and sat; on it as chief went Odusseus of-many-wiles.

Then having boarded they sailed on water ways,

and the host Atreus' son ordered to wash themselves;

they washed themselves and into sea cast the foul thing,

and offered Apollo fulfilled hekatombs

of bulls and goats by the shore of unresting sea;

and savor reached the sky, circling in smoke.

So they toiled in camp; but Agamemnôn did not

let go the strife with which first he threatened Achilleus,

[320] but Talthubios and Eurubatès he addressed,

who were his heralds and quick attendants:

"Go to the camp of Pèleus' son Achilleus;

by hand take and bring Brisèis of-shining-cheeks;

if he will not give her, I myself shall take her

going with more men; that to him even worse it will be."

So saying he sent them, and issued a strong word.

Unwilling they went by the shore of unresting sea,

and reached the Murmidons' camps and ships.

Him they found by his camp and black ship

[330] sitting; not at seeing them did Achilleus rejoice.

They in fear and awe (aidôs) of the king

stood, and not a thing to him did they say or ask;

but he knew in his mind and spoke out:

"Rejoice, heralds, messengers of Zeus and men,

come closer; not at all to me are you to answer, but Agamemnôn,

who sent you on account of Brisèis the girl.

Come, divine Patroklos, bring out the girl

and give her for them to lead; but let them both witness

before blessed gods and before mortal men,

[340] and before him the ruthless king, if ever again

need of me comes to ward off unseemly bane

from the others. For he in his ruinous mind is raving,

and does not know to think at once forward and backward,

so that by their ships safe they might fight, the Achaians."

So said he, and Patroklos obeyed his dear companion,

and out of the camp he brought Brisèis of-shining-cheeks,

and gave them to lead; back they went by the Achaian ships.

And she unwilling with them the woman went. But Achilleus

in sudden tears away from his companions sat withdrawn,

[350] on the shore of grey sea, looking over the wine-dark deep.

Much to his mother prayed he reaching with the hands:

"Mother, since you gave me birth to be so short-lived,

honor at least should the Olumpian give in my hands,

Zeus high-thundering; but now he has honored me not the slightest;

Atreus' son, wide lording Agamemnôn,

dishonors me; he has my prize, having robbed me himself."

So said he pouring tears, and him heard his august mother

as she sat in the depth of sea by her old father;

quick she rose from grey sea like mist,

[360] and next to him sat as tears he poured

and her hand caressed him; word she said and named him:

"Child, why do you cry? What sorrow has come upon your mind?

Speak out, do not hide in thought, that we both may know."

Her then heavily sighing addressed swift-footed Achilleus:

"You know. Why to you, who know all that, must I tell?

We went to Theba, the holy polis of Èëtiôn,

and sacked her and took all to here.

And that they divided well among them, the sons of Achaia,

and chose for Atreus' son Chrusèis of-shining-cheeks.

[370] But Chrusès the priest of sharp-shooter Apollo

came to the swift ships of brazen-coated Achaians

to release his daughter, bringing countless ransom,

holding in hands the wreath of sharp-shooter Apollo,

on a golden staff, and he prayed (lissesthai) all Achaians,

mostly Atreus' two sons, commanders of the host.

Then all other Achaians spoke well

of having regard (aidôs) for the priest and accepting glorious ransom;

this did not please the soul of Atreus' son Agamemnôn,

and badly he expelled him [the priest], and issued a strong word.

[380] Angry the old man went back; and Apollo

heard his prayer, because to him dear he was,

and cast upon Argives a bad dart; then the host

died one-after-another, and they reached, the god's darts,

all through the wide camp of Achaians. To us then the seer

well knowing announced the word of the sharp-shooter.

Right away I, the first, demanded that god be appeased;

but then anger seized Atreus' son, quick he rose

and a threat he spoke, that now is fulfilled;

her in a swift ship bright-eyed Achaians

[390] to Chrusè are escorting, bringing gifts to the lord;

but her now from my camp heralds take and lead,

the girl of Briseus, whom the sons of Achaia gave me.

You, if you can, protect your child,

go to Olumpos and pray (lissesthai) Zeus, if ever indeed

by word you were good to Zeus' heart, or by deed.

Many times in my father's house I heard you

boasting, that from the black-clouded son of Kronos

you alone among immortals warded off unseemly bane,

when other Olumpians wanted to chain him,

[400] Hèra and Poseidôn and Pallas Athena.

But you came, goddess, and released him from chains,

and quickly the hundred-armed you called to high Olumpos,

whom the gods call Briareus, but all men

Aigaiôn; for he excels his father²⁰ in force;

he by the son of Kronos sat exulting in glory;

and him they feared, the blessed gods, and did not chain.

Of that remind him, sit by him and hold his knees,

if he might be ready to support the Trojans,

and drive them back to sterns and sea, the Achaians,

[410] killed, that they all reap the fruits of their king,

and that he know, Atreus' son, wide lording Agamemnôn,

his atè,²¹ that to the best of Achaians no honor he paid."

Him answered then Thetis pouring down tears:

"Ah! my child, why did I rear you, aina²² in child-bearing?

You ought by the ships without tears or grief

to sit, since your lot (aisa) is so small, not to last at all;

now at once fated to quick-death and to misery surpassing all

you are; so you to a bad fate (aisa) I bore in our house.

This your word I shall say to Zeus who-hurls-thunder,

[420] I shall go myself to snowy Olumpos, that he may listen.

But you now sit by the quick-faring ships

in wrath at Achaians, and from all fighting refrain;

for Zeus to Okeanos among the blameless Aithiopians

yesterday went for a feast, and all gods followed;

on the twelfth day back he will come to Olumpos,

then I shall go to Zeus' house with-the-brazen-threshold,

and shall hold his knees and persuade him, I think."

So she voiced and went, leaving him there

angered in soul because of the well-girdled woman

[430] whom by force despite him they had robbed; but Odusseus

at Chrusè arrived bringing the holy hekatomb.

They, when in the deep harbor they had arrived,

folded the sails, put them in the black ship,

the mast on the mast-holder they rested, taking it down by the forestays

swiftly, and her to anchor they rowed with oars.

Out they threw mooring-stones, and tied the stern-cables;

out themselves they stepped on the sea-shore

out the hekatomb they brought for sharp-shooter Apollo;

out Chrusèis stepped from the sea-faring ship.

[440] Her then to the altar led Odusseus of-many-wiles

and in her father's hands he placed, and addressed him:

"Chrusès, the lord of men Agamemnôn sends me

to bring you your child, and to Phoibos a holy hekatomb

to sacrifice for the Danaans, that we may appease the lord,

who now to Argives has sent grievous trouble."

So saying in his arms he put her, and he joyously received

his dear child; but quickly for the god the holy hekatomb

they arranged around the well-built altar,

washed their hands then and took barley grains.

[450] For them Chrusès prayed aloud raising his hands:

"Hear me, god-of-the-silver-bow, who walks about Chrusè

and sacred Killa, and lords strong over Tenedos,

already me earlier you heard when I prayed,

and honor you did me: hard you pressed the host of Achaia;

now again for me fulfill this wish:

now from Danaans ward off the unseemly bane."

So said he praying, and him heard Phoibos Apollo.

Then when they had prayed and sprinkled barley grains,

they drew back [the heads] first, and slaughtered and skinned,

[460] and cut out the thighs and covered them with fat

laid in two folds, and on them put raw flesh.

Burned them on logs the old man, on them flaming wine

he poured; young men by him held five-pronged forks in hand.

When the thighs were burned down, and they had eaten the innards,

they cut up the rest, pierced it on spits,

roasted it with care, and drew all off [the spits].

After they had finished toiling and prepared the meal,

they feasted, nor did any soul lack its share of the meal.

When of drink and food they had put out desire,

[470] [youths filled bowls with drink

and served it to all in cups for libation;]

all day with dance they appeased the god,

singing a bright paièon,²³ the youths of Achaia,

celebrating the sharp-shooter; and his heart rejoiced as he heard.

As soon as the sun set and darkness came on,

they lay down by the stern-cables of the ship;

and when the early-born appeared, rose-fingered Dawn,

then they led themselves to the wide camp of Achaians;

to them a good wind sent sharp-shooter Apollo;

[480] they set up the mast and spread the white sail,

the wind swelled the sail in the middle, and a purple wave

shouted loud about the stem of the ship as she went;

and she ran over the wave and made her way.

When they arrived at the wide camp of Achaians,

the black ship on shore they drew

high on the sand, and under her extended long props,

and they