Homer
The Iliad
Translated by Martin Hammon
Penguin 1987
Selection from the Opening of the Poem
Sing, goddess, of the anger of
Achilleus, son of Peleus, the accursed anger which brought uncounted anguish on
the Achaians and hurled down to Hades many mighty souls of heroes, making their
bodies the prey to dogs and the birds' feasting: and this was the working of
Zeus' will. Sing from the time of the first quarrel which divided Atreus' son,
the lord of men, and godlike Achilleus.
Which of the gods was it who set these two to their
fighting? It was the son of Zeus and Leto. In anger at the king he raised a vile
plague throughout the army, and the people were dying, because the son of Atreus
had dishonoured Chryses, his priest. Chryses had come to the fast ships of the
Achaians to gain releae for his daughter, bringing with him unlimited ransom,
and holding in his hands the sacred woollen bands of Apollo the far-shooter,
wreathed on a golden staff. He began to entreat the whole body of the Achaians,
but especially the two sons of Atreus, the marshals of the army. 'Sons of
Atreus, and you other well-greaved Achaians, may the gods who live on Olympos
grant you the sacking of Priam's city and a safe return to your homes. But
release my dear child to me, and accept this ransom, in reverence for the son of
Zeus, Apollo the far shooter.'
Then all the other Achaians shouted their agreement,
to respect the priest's claims and take the splendid ransom. But this was not
the pleasure of Agamemnon's heart, the son of Atreus. He sent him shamefully on
his way, with harsh words of command: 'Old man, let me never find you by our
hollow ships, either dallying here now or coming back again in future - or you
will have no protection from your god's staff and sacred bands. As for the girl,
I shall not release her. Before that, old age will come upon her in our house,
in Argos, far from her own country, where she will work at the loom and serve my
bed. No, away with you: do not provoke me, if want to return in safety.'
So he spoke, and the old man was afraid and did as he
was ordered. He went in silence along the shore of the sounding sea. And then
when he had gone a far way off, the old man prayed long to lord Apollo, the
child of lovely-haired Leto: 'Hear me, lord of the silver bow, protector of
Chryse and holy Killa, and mighty lord of Tenedos, Smintheus. If ever I have
built a shrine that is pleasing to you, if ever I have burnt for you fat-wrapped
thigh-bones of bulls and goats, grant this my prayer: may the Danaans pay for my
tears with your arrows.'
Review Comment
Hammond's prose translation stays very close to the Greek and for that reason would be a useful text for someone reading the Greek and in seach of help from a reliable English text. As a stand alone English text, however, Hammond's prose is unsatisfactory, largely because it is inert and fails to deliver the energy, passion, and dramatic intensity of the poem, especially in the speeches, which too often do not come across as something a person would actually say. In addition, Hammond is at times fond of some rather odd English words (e.g., blatherskate). Anyone seeking a prose translation of the Iliad, especially for classroom use, should have a good look at other options (e.g., the revised Rieu transation) before chooing Hammond's version.
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