Iliad: Book Eight

This is an illustrated translation of the eighth book of Homer’s Iliad and continues the sequence of seven books already available as of October 2016. 


Zeus is very much in the foreground in this book. He has decided to forbid the gods to take part directly in the war and he himself becomes involved at various points in order to prod the course of events towards the destined end.


The struggle between the opposing armies continues with Hektor at the centre of attention as the body count increases inexorably.  Despite Zeus’s proscription of involvement, both Apollo and Hera manage to get involved to a degree at different points. 


However when Hera and Athena together defy the proscription and head off to assist the Greeks, Zeus sends them back with dire warnings and they are forced to return to Olympos. 


As night falls the Trojan army camps on the Greeks’ doorstep, expecting to be victorious the next day.