Pope's Iliad
Homer’s Iliad in Alexander Pope’s verse translation (1715–20), in twenty-four books. Each book opens with Pope’s Argument, a summary of its action, and the line numbers count Pope’s own lines within each book. The whole edition is also a free PDF download.
Pope wrote in rhymed couplets and used the Roman names of the gods (Jove for Zeus, Juno for Hera); a table of the names follows his Preface. If you’re choosing a modern translation to read alongside it, see the guide to the translations.
Homer is universally allowed to have had the greatest invention of any writer whatever.
The Contention of Achilles and Agamemnon. In the war of Troy, the Greeks having sacked some of the neighbouring towns, and taken from thence two beautiful captives, Chryseïs and Briseïs, allotted the first to Agamemnon, and the last to Achilles.
The Trial of the Army, and Catalogue of the Forces. Jupiter, in pursuance of the request of Thetis, sends a deceitful vision to Agamemnon, persuading him to lead the army to battle, in order to make the Greeks sensible of their want of Achilles.
The Duel of Menelaus and Paris. The armies being ready to engage, a single combat is agreed upon between Menelaus and Paris (by the intervention of Hector) for the determination of the war.
The Breach of the Truce, and the First Battle. The gods deliberate in council concerning the Trojan war: they agree upon the continuation of it, and Jupiter sends down Minerva to break the truce.
The Acts of Diomed. Diomed, assisted by Pallas, performs wonders in this day’s battle.
The Episodes of Glaucus and Diomed, and of Hector and Andromache. The gods having left the field, the Grecians prevail.
The Single Combat of Hector and Ajax. The battle renewing with double ardour upon the return of Hector, Minerva is under apprehensions for the Greeks.
The Second Battle, and the Distress of the Greeks. Jupiter assembles a council of the deities, and threatens them with the pains of Tartarus if they assist either side.
The Embassy to Achilles. Agamemnon, after the last day’s defeat, proposes to the Greeks to quit the siege, and return to their country.
The Night-Adventure of Diomed and Ulysses. Upon the refusal of Achilles to return to the army, the distress of Agamemnon is described in the most lively manner.
The Third Battle, and the Acts of Agamemnon. Agamemnon, having armed himself, leads the Grecians to battle.
The Battle at the Grecian Wall. The Greeks having retired into their intrenchments, Hector attempts to force them; but it proving impossible to pass the ditch, Polydamas advises to quit their chariots, and manage the attack on foot.
The Fourth Battle Continued, in Which Neptune Assists the Greeks: the Acts of Idomeneus. Neptune, concerned for the loss of the Grecians, upon seeing the fortification forced by Hector, (who had entered the gate near the station of the Ajaces,) assumes the shape of Calchas, and inspires those heroes to oppose him:…
Juno Deceives Jupiter by the Girdle of Venus. Nestor, sitting at the table with Machaon, is alarmed with the increasing clamour of war, and hastens to Agamemnon; on his way he meets that prince with Diomed and Ulysses, whom he informs of the extremity of the danger.
The Fifth Battle at the Ships; and the Acts of Ajax. Jupiter, awaking, sees the Trojans repulsed from the trenches, Hector in a swoon, and Neptune at the head of the Greeks: he is highly incensed at the artifice of Juno, who appeases him by her submissions; she is then sent to Iris…
The Sixth Battle, the Acts and Death of Patroclus. Patroclus (in pursuance of the request of Nestor in the eleventh book) entreats Achilles to suffer him to go to the assistance of the Greeks with Achilles’ troops and armour.
The Seventh Battle, for the Body of Patroclus.—the Acts of Menelaus. Menelaus, upon the death of Patroclus, defends his body from the enemy.
The Grief of Achilles, and New Armour Made Him by Vulcan. The news of the death of Patroclus is brought to Achilles by Antilochus.
The Reconciliation of Achilles and Agamemnon. Thetis brings to her son the armour made by Vulcan.
The Battle of the Gods, and the Acts of Achilles. Jupiter, upon Achilles’ return to the battle, calls a council of the gods, and permits them to assist either party.
The Battle in the River Scamander. The Trojans fly before Achilles, some towards the town, others to the river Scamander: he falls upon the latter with great slaughter: takes twelve captives alive, to sacrifice to the shade of Patroclus; and kills Lycaon and…
The Death of Hector. The Trojans being safe within the walls, Hector only stays to oppose Achilles.
Funeral Games in Honour of Patroclus. Achilles and the Myrmidons do honours to the body of Patroclus.
The Redemption of the Body of Hector. The gods deliberate about the redemption of Hector’s body.
We have now passed through the Iliad, and seen the anger of Achilles, and the terrible effects of it, at an end: as that only was the subject of the poem, and the nature of epic poetry would not permit our author to proceed to…
The whole edition is available as a free PDF download, with bookmarks for every book. The text is that of Theodore Alois Buckley’s edition of Pope, from its 1899 reprint as transcribed by Project Gutenberg (eBook #6130), with Pope’s Preface, the Argument of each book, and his Concluding Note; Buckley’s introduction and notes are left out.