The Iliad by Homer: Rage, Glory & Why This Ancient Epic Still Hits Hard | Book Review

Most people approach The Iliad expecting the Trojan Horse. Instead, they find something darker: a story about wounded pride, uncontrollable rage, brutal violence and the moment vengeance finally gives way to pity.

In this review, I break down Samuel Butler’s translation of Homer’s epic, the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon, Hector’s terrifying presence, the petty interference of the gods, the oral tradition behind the poem, and whether a modern reader should actually tackle this ancient monster of a book.

00:00 — An Ancient Epic in My Hands

00:42 — The Samuel Butler Translation

01:03 — Did Homer Actually Write The Iliad?

02:23 — What Is an Epic Poem?

03:05 — This Is Not the Trojan Horse Story

03:40 — Achilles, Hector and the Gods

04:53 — How This Edition Structures the Story

06:15 — The Core of The Iliad: Rage

07:33 — Achilles Loses Everything

08:19 — The Gods Are Petty as Hell