The first of Homer’s two epic poems about the war between the Greek kings and the city of Troy focuses on many of the heroes from former Greek myths, as well as adding several new heroes into the story. Hercules makes an appearance, as does the mostly-invulnerable Achilles, all traveling across the sea to rescue the beautiful Helen, captured because she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Action abounds, but a clear translation is necessary to aide the reader in adapting to the verse-style story telling, much in the same manner as with reading Shakespeare.
Review
Any individual with an interest in learning about Western literature to any degree of depth must read The Illiad. Often referred to as one of the four books on which all Western literature is based (the others being The Odyssey, the Old Testament, and the New Testament), The Illiad is necessary to examining nearly all Western literature. For anyone with the will to get through the sometimes obscure epic poem style, the story abounds with battles, intrigue, love, and loss, and ultimately, with its partner, The Odyssey, covers perhaps all of the bases for the archetype of Western literature.