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    The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis)
    The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis)
    The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis)
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    The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis)

    By Anon Anon

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    This book is two of the most famous and influential stories ever put to paper, providing the foundation for western literature for more than two millennia. Arguably unparalleled in their depth and beauty, Homer's “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” revolve around the Trojan war and Odysseus's epic journey home and constitute necessary reading for all lovers of literature. These texts are amongst oldest surviving works of Western literature, dating back to somewhere within the eighth century BC. This book would make for a worthy addition to any bookshelf and is not to be missed by the discerning collector. Many old books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on Greek mythology.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateSep 6, 2016
    ISBN9781473358942
    The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis)

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      The Original Epic Tales - The Iliad and the Odyssey (A Synopsis) - Anon Anon

      GREEK EPICS

      THE greatest of all the world’s epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, are attributed to Homer, or Melesigenes, who is said to have lived some time between 1050 and 850 B.C. Ever since the second century before Christ, however, the question whether Homer is the originator of the poems, or whether, like the Rhapsodists, he merely recited extant verses, has been hotly disputed.

      The events upon which the Iliad is based took place some time before 1100 B.C., and we are told that the poems of Homer were collected and committed to writing by Pisistratus during the age of Epic Poetry, or second age of Greek literature, which ends 600 B.C.

      It stands to reason that the Iliad must have been inspired by, or at least based upon, previous poems, since such perfection is not achieved at a single bound. Besides, we are aware of the existence of many shorter Greek epics, which either have been entirely lost or of which we now possess only fragments.

      A number of these ancient epics form what is termed the Trojan Cycle, because all relate in some way to the War of Troy. Among them is the Cypria, in eleven books, by Stasimus of Cyprus (or by Arctinus of Miletus), wherein is related Jupiter’s frustrated wooing of Thetis, her marriage with Peleus, the episode of the golden apple, the judgment of Paris, the kidnapping of Helen, the mustering of the Greek forces, and the main events of the first nine years of the Trojan War. The Iliad follows this epic, taking up the story where the wrath of Achilles is aroused and ending it with the funeral of Hector.

      This, however, does not conclude the story of the Trojan War, which is resumed in the Aethiopia, in five books, by Arctinus of Miletus. After describing the arrival of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, to aid the Trojans, the poet relates her death at the hand of Achilles, who, in his turn, is slain by Apollo and Paris. This epic concludes with the famous dispute between Ajax and Ulysses for the possession of Achilles’ armour.

      The Little Iliad, the authorship of which is ascribed to various poets, including Homer, next describes the madness and death of Ajax, the arrival of Philoctetes with the arrows of Hercules, the death of Paris, the purloining of the Palladium, the stratagem of the wooden horse, and the death of Priam.

      In the Ilion Persis, or ‘Sack of Troy,’ by Arctinus, in two books, we find the Trojans hesitating whether to convey the wooden steed into their city, and discover the immortal tales of the traitor Sinon and of Laocoön. We then behold the taking and sacking of the city, with the massacre of the men and the carrying off into captivity of the women.

      In the Nostoi, or ‘Homeward Voyage,’ by Agias of Troezene, the Atridae differ in opinion; so, while Agamemnon delays his departure to offer propitiatory sacrifices, Menelaus sets sail for Egypt, where he is detained. This poem also contains the narrative of Agamemnon’s return, of his assassination, and of the way in which his death was avenged by his son Orestes.

      Next in sequence of events comes the Odyssey of Homer, and then the Telegonia of Eugamon of Cyrene, in two books. This describes how, after the burial of the suitors, Ulysses renews his adventures, and visits Thesprotia, where he marries and leaves a son. We also have his death, a battle between two of his sons, and the marriage of Telemachus and Circe, as well as that of the widowed Penelope to Telegonus, one of Ulysses’ descendants.

      Another sequel or addition to the Odyssey is found in the Telemachia, also a Greek poem, as well as in a far more modern work, the French classic Télémaque, written by Fénelon for his pupil the Dauphin in the age of Louis XIV.

      Another great series of Greek poems is the Theban Cycle, which comprises the Thebais, by some unknown author, wherein is related in full the story of Oedipus, that of the Seven Kings before Thebes, and the doings of the Epigoni.

      There exist also cyclic poems in regard to the labours of Heracles, among others one called Oechalia, which has proved a priceless mine for poets, dramatists, painters, and

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