After enduring the Trojan War, Odysseus begins the treacherous journey home to Ithaca. On the way, he faces ravenous monsters and vengeful gods. But the real battle awaits, as his kingdom is under siege by unruly suitors vying for his wife’s hand—and his son’s head. To reclaim his throne and save his family, Odysseus must rely on his wits…and help from the unpredictable gods.Homer’s The Odyssey was composed around 700 BC. It is one of the earliest epics in existence and remains one of the most influential works of literature today.Revised edition: Previously published as The Odyssey, this edition of The Odyssey (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions. Read more

After nine years fighting the Trojan War, the Greeks sense imminent defeat. The gods have cursed them with a plague; the Trojans have set their ships on fire; and their best warrior, the impenetrable Achilles, has turned his back on them. But when the Trojans go too far and kill Patroclus, his beloved brother-in-arms, Achilles returns to the battlefield with a vengeance so terrible that it shocks even the gods.Written by Homer more than twenty-five hundred years ago, The Iliad is among the oldest extant works of Western literature—the seminal epic narrative of infantry combat, the scars of battle, and the inevitability of fate.AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.Revised edition: Previously published as The Iliad, this edition of The Iliad (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions. Read more

A New York Times Notable Book of 2018"Wilson’s language is fresh, unpretentious and lean…It is rare to find a translation that is at once so effortlessly easy to read and so rigorously considered." —Madeline Miller, author of CirceComposed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travelers, hospitality, and the yearning for home.This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative. Its characters are unforgettable, none more so than the “complicated” hero himself, a man of many disguises, many tricks, and many moods, who emerges in this version as a more fully rounded human being than ever before.Written in iambic pentameter verse and a vivid, contemporary idiom, Emily Wilson’s Odyssey sings with a voice that echoes Homer’s music; matching the number of lines in the Greek original, the poem sails along at Homer’s swift, smooth pace.A fascinating, informative introduction explores the Bronze Age milieu that produced the epic, the poem’s major themes, the controversies about its origins, and the unparalleled scope of its impact and influence. Maps drawn especially for this volume, a pronunciation glossary, and extensive notes and summaries of each book make this is an Odyssey that will be treasured by a new generation of readers. Read more

In Paradise, God’s favored new creations—Adam and Eve—live in bliss, untainted by sin. In another realm, Satan and his banished rebel angels collude to destroy God’s tranquil new design. Into this idyll called Earth, and the confidence of Adam and Eve, Satan will instigate the fall of man.At the heart of this complex, audacious epic poem is a drama driven by the most recognizable human flaws. More than a story from Genesis, it is the extraordinary expression of Milton’s search for personal truth and the meaning of existence, written to “justify the ways of God to men.”AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature’s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.Revised edition: Previously published as Paradise Lost, this edition of Paradise Lost (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions. Read more

One of The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2023 • A Washington Post Best Book of the Year 2023 • One of Atlantic's Best Books of 2023 • One of Time's 100 Must-Read Books of 2023 • One of New Statesman's 2023 Books of the Year • One of Electric Literature's Best Poetry Collections of 2023The greatest literary landmark of antiquity masterfully rendered by the most celebrated translator of our time.When Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was “fresh, unpretentious and lean” (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as “a revelation” (Susan Chira, New York Times) and “a cultural landmark” (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an equally revelatory translation of Homer’s other great epic—the most revered war poem of all time.The Iliad roars with the clamor of arms, the bellowing boasts of victors, the fury and grief of loss, and the anguished cries of dying men. It sings, too, of the sublime magnitude of the world—the fierce beauty of nature and the gods’ grand schemes beyond the ken of mortals. In Wilson’s hands, this thrilling, magical, and often horrifying tale now gallops at a pace befitting its legendary battle scenes, in crisp but resonant language that evokes the poem’s deep pathos and reveals palpably real, even “complicated,” characters—both human and divine.The culmination of a decade of intense engagement with antiquity’s most surpassingly beautiful and emotionally complex poetry, Wilson’s Iliad now gives us a complete Homer for our generation. Read more

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The first version, published in 1667, consists of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse. A second edition followed in 1674, arranged into twelve books (in the manner of Virgil's Aeneid) with minor revisions throughout.It is considered to be Milton's masterpiece, and it helped solidify his reputation as one of the greatest English poets of all time. The poem concerns the biblical story of the fall of man; the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Read more

A magnificent feat of translation, hailed by classicists and poets alike as a “momentous achievement”: “thrilling,” “rich and rhythmical,” “superb,” “mesmerizing,” “searingly faithful—yet absolutely original.”   With this edition of Homer’s Odyssey, the celebrated author, critic, and classicist Daniel Mendelsohn brings the great epic to vividly poetic new life. Widely known for his essays on classical literature and culture in The New Yorker and many other publications, Mendelsohn gives us a line-for-line rendering of The Odyssey that is both engrossing as poetry and true to its source. Rejecting the streamlining and modernizing approach of many recent translations, he artfully reproduces the epic’s formal qualities—meter, enjambment, alliteration, assonance—and in so doing restores to Homer’s masterwork its archaic grandeur. Mendelsohn’s expansive six-beat line, far closer to the original than that of other recent translations, allows him to capture each of Homer’s dense verses without sacrificing the amplitude and shadings of the original. The result is the richest, most ample, most precise, and most musical Odyssey in English, conveying the beauty of its poetry, the excitement of its hero’s adventures, and the profundity of its insights. Supported by an extensive introduction and the fullest notes and commentary currently available, Daniel Mendelsohn’s Odyssey is poised to become the authoritative version of this magnificent and enduringly influential masterpiece. Read more

Contains the two great epic poems of Homer. The Iliad describes the Trojan War and the fall of Troy. The Odyssey describes the voyages of Odysseus on his return from the Trojan War. Both were translated into English prose by Samuel Butler. Read more

Ulysses is a modernist novel by Irish writer James Joyce. Parts of it were first serialized in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, and the entire work was published in Paris by Sylvia Beach on 2 February 1922, Joyce's fortieth birthday. It is considered one of the most important works of modernist literature and has been called "a demonstration and summation of the entire movement." According to Declan Kiberd, "Before Joyce, no writer of fiction had so foregrounded the process of thinking."Ulysses chronicles the appointments and encounters of the itinerant Leopold Bloom in Dublin in the course of an ordinary day, 16 June 1904. Ulysses is the Latinised name of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey, and the novel establishes a series of parallels between the poem and the novel, with structural correspondences between the characters and experiences of Bloom and Odysseus, Molly Bloom and Penelope, and Stephen Dedalus and Telemachus, in addition to events and themes of the early 20th-century context of modernism, Dublin, and Ireland's relationship to Britain. The novel is highly allusive and its prose imitates the styles of different periods of English literature. Read more

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The great drinking hall, Heorot, provides merriment for warriors and wenches alike. But it provokes only avenging rage from swamp creature Grendel. Now, in sixth-century Denmark's darkest hour, a light of hope comes in the warrior Beowulf of the Geats. With his quest to defeat Grendel and his vengeful demon mother, Beowulf embarks on a journey from the murky lagoon to the throne of the Geats.Beowulf, the Old English epic poem published anonymously centuries ago, remains one of the most influential pieces of English literature, inspiring generations of writers from J. R. R. Tolkien to George R. R. Martin.AmazonClassics brings you timeless works from the masters of storytelling. Ideal for anyone who wants to read a great work for the first time or rediscover an old favorite, these new editions open the door to literature?s most unforgettable characters and beloved worlds.Revised edition: Previously published as Beowulf, this edition of Beowulf (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions. Read more

The definitive translation by Dick Davis of the great national epic of Iran—now newly revised and expanded to be the most complete English-language editionA Penguin Classic   Dick Davis—“our pre-eminent translator from the Persian” (The Washington Post)—has revised and expanded his acclaimed translation of Ferdowsi’s masterpiece, adding more than 100 pages of newly translated text. Davis’s elegant combination of prose and verse allows the poetry of the Shahnameh to sing its own tales directly, interspersed sparingly with clearly marked explanations to ease along modern readers.   Originally composed for the Samanid princes of Khorasan in the tenth century, the Shahnameh is among the greatest works of world literature. This prodigious narrative tells the story of pre-Islamic Persia, from the mythical creation of the world and the dawn of Persian civilization through the seventh-century Arab conquest. The stories of the Shahnameh are deeply embedded in Persian culture and beyond, as attested by their appearance in such works as The Kite Runner and the love poems of Rumi and Hafez.   For more than sixty-five years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,500 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators. Read more

Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Homer's Odyssey is the best and best-loved modern translation of the greatest of all epic poems. Since 1961, this Odyssey has sold more than two million copies, and it is the standard translation for three generations of students and poets. Farrar, Straus and Giroux is delighted to publish a new edition of this classic work. Fitzgerald's supple verse is ideally suited to the story of Odysseus' long journey back to his wife and home after the Trojan War. Homer's tale of love, adventure, food and drink, sensual pleasure, and mortal danger reaches the English-language reader in all its glory.Of the many translations published since World War II, only Fitzgerald's has won admiration as a great poem in English. The noted classicist D. S. Carne-Ross explains the many aspects of its artistry in his Introduction, written especially for this new edition.Winner of the Bollingen Prize Read more

Homer: The Complete Collection [The Iliad & The Odyssey]Homer: The Complete Collection brings together two of the most significant epic poems in Western literature—The Iliad and The Odyssey. These timeless masterpieces, attributed to the legendary poet Homer, explore themes of heroism, honor, fate, and the enduring power of human spirit.Included in This Collection: The Iliad: A gripping tale of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles, the valor of warriors, and the tragic consequences of pride and conflict. This epic captures the drama of gods and mortals in a battle for glory and survival. The Odyssey: The adventurous journey of Odysseus as he faces mythical creatures, divine interventions, and treacherous challenges on his decade-long voyage home to Ithaca. A timeless story of resilience, cunning, and the longing for home.Why Read Homer? Foundational Literature: These epics form the cornerstone of Western literary tradition and have inspired countless works of art, literature, and philosophy. Timeless Themes: Explore universal themes of heroism, loyalty, vengeance, and the human struggle against fate. Epic Storytelling: Homer's vivid narrative style and larger-than-life characters bring to life the ancient world and its timeless lessons.Whether you are a lover of classical literature, a student of history, or seeking thrilling tales of adventure and courage, Homer: The Complete Collection is an essential addition to your library. Read more

Overview:The Iliad by Homer is one of the oldest and most celebrated works of Western literature. This epic poem, set during the Trojan War, captures the heroism, honor, and human emotions that define the human experience. Written in ancient Greece, it remains a timeless tale of conflict, destiny, and the consequences of war.Plot:The story unfolds in the tenth year of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles, Greece's greatest warrior, after a dispute with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek forces. Achilles withdraws from battle, tipping the scales in favor of the Trojans, led by the noble Hector. The poem depicts intense battles, divine interventions, and tragic losses on both sides. Achilles’ grief and eventual return to combat culminate in a climactic showdown with Hector, leading to Hector’s death and a somber resolution emphasizing the futility and sorrow of war.Key Themes: Heroism and Glory: Explores the pursuit of honor and everlasting fame through acts of bravery. Fate and Free Will: Examines the tension between human choices and the inexorable decrees of destiny. The Human Cost of War: Reflects on the devastation, loss, and moral ambiguity of conflict. Divine Influence: Highlights the gods' meddling in human affairs, shaping the fates of mortals.Significance:The Iliad is a cornerstone of classical literature, offering profound insights into human nature, the complexities of war, and the quest for meaning in life. Read more

A Masterpiece of Visionary Journey Dante Alighieri's The Divine Comedy is one of the most significant works of world literature, a monumental allegorical journey through the realms of the afterlife. Spanning Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso, this epic poem explores themes of sin, redemption, divine justice, and the eternal search for spiritual enlightenment.Inferno: The Depths of Hell Guided by the Roman poet Virgil, Dante descends into the nine circles of Hell, encountering souls tormented for their sins. Each circle vividly illustrates divine justice, offering profound reflections on morality and human frailty.Purgatorio: The Mountain of Redemption Emerging from Hell, Dante ascends the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory, where souls seek purification for their sins. Through penitence and hope, the journey reveals the transformative power of redemption and the soul’s yearning for divine grace.Paradiso: The Heights of Heavenly Bliss Led by Beatrice, Dante ascends through the celestial spheres of Heaven, witnessing the divine order of the universe. In this sublime vision of unity and love, Dante experiences the ultimate fulfillment of spiritual enlightenment in the presence of God.Why Read The Divine Comedy? Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, this edition retains the beauty and depth of Dante’s original work. It is a profound exploration of humanity's moral struggle, the complexity of divine justice, and the ultimate journey toward spiritual salvation.The Divine Comedy remains a timeless guide to the human condition, inviting readers to reflect on their own paths through life's trials and triumphs. Read more

The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents the works of world poet Dante Alighieri, with beautiful illustrations, the original Italian texts and bonus material. (8MB Version 1)* Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Dante's life and works* Concise introductions to the poetry* Excellent formatting of the poems* Both verse and prose translations of THE DIVINE COMEDY, with glossed footnotes – ideal for students* Also includes Gustave Doré’s celebrated illustrations of THE DIVINE COMEDY – over a hundred stunning images* Easily locate the cantos you want to read with detailed contents tables* Includes Dante’s complete works in Italian – ideal for students exploring the original texts* Features a bonus biography - discover Dante's literary life* Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres CONTENTS:The Poetry CollectionsTHE NEW LIFETHE DIVINE COMEDY (VERSE)THE DIVINE COMEDY (PROSE)The Italian TextsLIST OF WORKSThe BiographyDANTE: HIS TIMES AND HIS WORK BY ARTHUR JOHN BUTLER Read more

TOLSTOY CALLED THE ILIAD A miracle; Goethe said that it always thrust him into a state of astonishment. Homer’s story is thrilling, and his Greek is perhaps the most beautiful poetry ever sung or written. But until now, even the best English translations haven’t been able to re-create the energy and simplicity, the speed, grace, and pulsing rhythm of the original. In Stephen Mitchell’s Iliad, the epic story resounds again across 2,700 years, as if the lifeblood of its heroes Achilles and Patroclus, Hector and Priam flows in every word. And we are there with them, amid the horror and ecstasy of war, carried along by a poetry that lifts even the most devastating human events into the realm of the beautiful. Mitchell’s Iliad is the first translation based on the work of the preeminent Homeric scholar Martin L. West, whose edition of the original Greek identifies many passages that were added after the Iliad was first written down, to the detriment of the music and the story. Omitting these hundreds of interpolated lines restores a dramatically sharper, leaner text. In addition, Mitchell’s illuminating introduction opens the epic still further to our understanding and appreciation. Now, thanks to Stephen Mitchell’s scholarship and the power of his language, the Iliad’s ancient story comes to moving, vivid new life. Read more

This translation of The Iliad equals Fitzgerald's earlier Odyssey in power and imagination. It recreates the original action as conceived by Homer, using fresh and flexible blank verse that is both lyrical and dramatic. Read more

The Aeneid by VirgilAn Epic Tale of Heroism, Duty, and DestinyWidely regarded as one of the greatest works of classical literature, Virgil’s The Aeneid recounts the legendary journey of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, as he navigates the perils of exile to fulfill his divine mission of founding Rome. This timeless epic weaves themes of courage, fate, and loyalty into a powerful narrative of human resilience and divine intervention.The StoryAfter the fall of Troy, Aeneas leads a band of survivors on a quest to establish a new homeland. Guided by the gods and driven by his sense of duty, he faces trials at sea, clashes with enemies, and battles his own inner conflicts. From his tragic love affair with Queen Dido to his climactic confrontation with Turnus, Aeneas’s journey is both a deeply personal and universally significant tale of heroism and sacrifice.Key Themes: Fate and Duty: Aeneas must balance personal desires with his divine mission to fulfill his destiny. War and Peace: The epic explores the human cost of conflict and the hope for a lasting legacy. Divine Influence: Gods and goddesses play pivotal roles, shaping Aeneas’s journey and its outcomes.Why Read The Aeneid?Virgil’s masterful storytelling and poetic brilliance make The Aeneid a cornerstone of Western literature. It not only recounts the founding myth of Rome but also offers profound insights into the human condition. A must-read for lovers of epic tales and classical mythology. Read more