E. V. Rieu and Peter Green have each provided their own translations of Homer's Iliad, capturing the epic's timeless themes in distinct styles. Rieu's translation is known for its straightforward and fluid prose, which seeks to render the text accessible to a wide audience. For instance, in Book 1, Rieu introduces readers to the central conflict by stating, "Anger — sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles," framing the theme of wrath in a clear manner intended to engage contemporary readers without delving into overly ornate language. This directness continues throughout his translation, seen in passages like Athena's counsel to Diomedes in Book 5, where she is characterized with conversational clarity as she tells him not to be intimidated by Ares. Peter Green, on the other hand, offers a more faithful rendition to the original Greek text, often utilizing enjambment and a lyrical style to preserve Homer's poetic structures. His introduction in Book 1, "Wrath, goddess, sing of Achilles Pēleus's son's calamitous wrath," closely mirrors the meter and formal tone of the original, while still remaining accessible. This poetic fidelity is seen in passages such as Book 6 where he compares human generations to the cyclical nature of leaves, maintaining the imagery and rhythm of the original Greek, "As the generation of leaves, so is that of mankind." Both translations bring out the Iliad's themes of glory, mortality, and fate, yet they cater to different reader experiences—Rieu focuses on clarity and engagement, while Green emphasizes poetic authenticity and structure.
Anger — sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that accursed anger, which brought the Greeks endless sufferings and sent the mighty souls of many warriors to Hades, leaving their bodies as carrion for the dogs and a feast for the birds; and Zeus' purpose was fulfilled. It all began when Agamemnon lord of men and godlike Achilles quarrelled and parted.
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.