The Iliad

The Fitzgerald Translation

By: Robert Fitzgerald - translator, Homer

Narrated by: Dan Stevens

Since it was first published more than forty years ago, Robert Fitzgerald's prizewinning translation of Homer's battle epic has become a classic in its own right: a standard against which all other versions of The Iliad are compared. This definitive translation of Homer's epic is timeless in its authority and always fresh in its vivid rendering of the preeminent war story of the Western world.

In keeping with the oral tradition of the time, Dan Stevens's extraordinary narration makes this epic tale come alive. The listener becomes totally immersed in the adventure and drama of the story – this is the way The Iliad was meant to be experienced.

Also included on the program is a portion of the poem read in ancient Greek so that listeners may experience the lyricism and music of the original language.

Critic reviews

<p>“Fitzgerald's smooth, musical verse is perfectly matched in this performance by the light, honeyed tones of Dan Stevens, the British actor who played Matthew Crawley in the first three seasons of "Downton Abbey." Stevens has beautiful, clear articulation, and wonderful pacing, and he really seems to enjoy the poetry of the words. I confess that I could listen to him all day.” —<i>The Boston Globe</i><br><br>“The lightness of Fitzgerald's touch, his almost conversational poetry, is well suited to the spoken word and to an audio version. His translation is in turn well served by the audio production... The reader is the talented actor Dan Stevens… his tone is not conventionally ‘bardic,' which is to say not dark, ponderous or declamatory, but rather young, bright and noble – as if King Harry had decided to deliver Homer instead of his St. Crispin's Day speech. The epics conjure a shimmering cast of some of the most memorable characters in all of literature... Stevens does a fine job of evoking each character distinctly... his readings play like time-honored storytelling, cozy and accessible.” —<i>The New York Times</i></p>

Perfect Narration

If you feel guilty because you never read The Iliad and all of your friends have, you should listen to this narration. He is a great narrator. I even listened with interest to the endless list of all of the warriors that were brought into battle.

Great performance

It's been many years since I have read The Iliad. I really enjoyed listening and remembering the first time I read it.

Good

Good. Very good. I liked it and thought it was good. I would listen again.

Best book, translation, and narration!

Best book in the world! Best narrator

Best book in the world! Best narrator

Best book in the world! Best narrator

Good times
Good times
Good times

Third time’s the charm.

This was the third time I have read The Iliad over the last thirty years and it was the best by far. Now, from other stories I know the characters so much better—Odysseus, Patroclus, Menelaus, Aneius, Agamemnon, Hector, Paris, Prium. I knew them and paid attention when they were in scene. The story flowed this time.