Peter Green and Michael Reck approach translating the Iliad with distinct styles that bring out different nuances of Homer's epic. Green's translation displays a formal and detailed precision, often preserving the complexity of Greek syntax, which emphasizes the gravity and grandeur of the narrative. For example, in his translation of the opening lines, Green refers to "Achilles Pēleus's son's calamitous wrath," illustrating a meticulous attention to the names and lineage that are crucial to the Greek epic tradition. His translation of Athena's encouragement to Diomedes, describing Ares as a "two-faced liar," aligns with his methodical style that offers readers a clear portrayal of the gods’ duplicity and the moral complexities of the characters. In contrast, Michael Reck's translation opts for a more modern and dynamic approach, using language that is vivid and accessible. For instance, Reck's choice of words in the introduction—describing Achilles' wrath as a "maniac rage"—infuses the text with an immediacy and emotional intensity that can resonate with contemporary readers. His portrayal of the same scene with Athena and Diomedes accesses a more casual, narrative style, referring to Ares simply as a "crook" and "lunatic," which accentuates the relatable aspects of human and divine interactions without sacrificing the epic's dramatic tensions. Both translations succeed in capturing the essence of the Iliad, though they do so with different emphases: Green's through an adherence to traditional structure and scholarly depth, and Reck's through modern articulation and vivid imagery.
Wrath, goddess, sing of Achilles Pēleus's son's
calamitous wrath, which hit the Achaians with countless ills—
many the valiant souls it saw off down to Hādēs,
souls of heroes, their selves1 left as carrion for dogs
and all birds of prey, and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled
from the first moment those two men parted in fury,
Atreus's son, king of men, and the godlike Achilles.
Sing, Goddess, Achilles' maniac rage:
ruinous thing! it roused a thousand sorrows
and hurled many souls of mighty warriors
to Hades, made their bodies food for dogs
and carrion birds—as Zeus's will foredoomed—
from the time relentless strife came between
Atreus' son, a king, and brave Achilles.