Illiad of Homer

Homer's Iliad 

The Illiad of Homer is known as an ancient Greek epic poem, traditionally attributed to Homer. It takes place during the Trojan War, the ten year siege of the city of Troy. It tells the battles during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles. 

A letter by Andrew Lang is placed between the cover and the first page. The letter is illegible. The hardcover is wrapped by a thin paper enveloped in green, light pink and white floral design. The top edge is gilded. Julia Parker Wightman is responsible for the superb binding. The spine is remarkable with raised illustration. Among the Prefatory Note, it introduces the main translators including Lang, Walter Leaf and Ernest Myers. Each translator was responsible for their own portion. Although a few doubtful points, the opinion of the translators had to be embraced and understood. 

Subsequently, the next page possesses two poems, one written by Andrew Lang and the second, written by Ernest Myers. This adds a personal touch to the book filled with riveting poetry.

Poems written by Andrew Lang and Ernest Myers

Lang recites; 

"The sacred soil or Ilios is rent

With shaft and pit; foiled waters wander shlow

Through plains where Simois and Scamander went 

To war with Gods and heros long ago. 

Not yet to dark Cassandra lying low

In rich Mycenae do the fates relent; 

The bones of Agammenon are a show, 

And ruined his royal monument. 

The dust and awful treasure of the dead 

Hath learning scattered wide; but vainly thee

Homer, she metheth with her lesbian lead, 

And strives to rend thy songs, too blind is she 

To know the crown on thine immortal head

Of indivisible supremacy."