The Iliad for Boys and Girls
By Alfred J. Church (1907)
Homer's epic of the Trojan War retold in noble English: the wrath of Achilles, the combat of Hector and Ajax, Patroclus's sacrifice, and Priam pleading for his son.
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Ch. 1: The Quarrel
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 1
CHAPTER I
THE QUARREL
Leda, Queen of Sparta, bare a daughter, Helen by name, that grew to be the fairest of all women upon earth. She married Menelaus, son of Atreus, and for a while dwelt in peace with her husband, bearing him a daughter, Hermione by name. But there came to the court of Menelaus, who was by this time King of Sparta, a certain Paris, second in birth among the sons of Priam, King of Troy. Menelaus entertained him hospitably, but Paris repaid his kindness with evil, for he carried off his wife, the fair Helen, and took with her many of the King's possessions.
Le'-da. Men-e-la'-us. Ag-a-mem'-non. Her-mi'-o-ne. A'-treus.
Then Menelaus, with his elder brother Agamemnon, who was lord of all the Greeks, went to all the chiefs, and prayed that they would help them to avenge this wrong. Thus was a great host gathered together, even a hundred thousand men, and eleven hundred fourscore and six ships.
For nine years did the Greeks besiege the city of Troy. They won, indeed, in the field, but could not break through the walls.
Now because they had been away from their homes for many years, they were in want of things needful. Therefore it was their custom to leave part of the army to watch the city, and with part to spoil the cities in the country round about. And in this way the great quarrel that caused such trouble to the host came about.
The Greeks sacked the city of Chryse, where was a temple of Apollo, and a priest that served the temple. And when they divided the spoil, they gave to King Agamemnon, with other gifts, the priest's daughter Chryseis. Thereupon Chryses, the priest, came to the camp, wishing to ransom his daughter. Much gold he brought with him, and on his staff of gold he carried the holy garland, that men might reverence him the more. He went to all the chiefs, and to the sons of Atreus first of all, saying:--
Chry'-se. A-pol'-lo. Chry-se'-is. Chry'-ses.
"Loose, I pray you, my dear daughter, and take the ransom for her; so may the gods that dwell in Olympus grant you to take the city of Troy, and to have safe return to your homes."
Then all the others spake him fair, and would have done what he wished. Only Agamemnon would not have it so.
"Get thee out, graybeard!" he cried in great wrath. "Let me not find thee lingering now by the ships, neither coming hither again, or it shall be the worse for thee, for all thy priesthood. And as for thy daughter, I shall carry her away to Argos, when I shall have taken this city of Troy."
Then the old man went out hastily in great fear and trouble. And he walked in his sorrow by the shore of the sounding sea, and prayed to his god Apollo.
"Hear me, God of the silver bow! If I have built thee a temple, and offered thee the fat of many bullocks and rams, hear me, and avenge my tears on these Greeks with thine arrows!"
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Table of Contents
32 ChaptersEvery chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.
Ch. 1: The Quarrel
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Quarrel of Achilles and Agamemnon
The plague in the camp; Achilles withdraws to his black ships in bitter resentment.
Chapter 2: The Duel of Menelaus and Paris
The two champions meet between the armies beneath the Scaean gate of Troy.
Ch. 2: The Assembly
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Hector and Andromache at the Wall
Hector takes off his gleaming horsehair helmet so his infant son Astyanax will not fear him.
Ch. 3: The Duel Of Paris And Menelaus
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 3
Ch. 4: The Broken Oath
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 4
Chapter 4: The Battle at the Greek Trench and Ships
Hector shatters the Greek gate with a great stone; firebrand hurled at the wooden galleys.
Ch. 5: The Valiant Deeds Of Diomed
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Patroclus Dons the Armor of Achilles
The dear comrade leads the Myrmidons into battle, turning the tide before falling to Hector.
Chapter 6: The Grief of Achilles & The Shield of Hephaestus
Achilles pours ashes on his head; Vulcan forges a wondrous shield depicting all of human life.
Ch. 6: Glaucus And Diomed
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 6
Chapter 7: The Slaying of Hector at the Scaean Gate
Achilles returns to battle like blazing fire; the final combat before the weeping parents of Troy.
Ch. 7: Hector And Andromache
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 7
Chapter 8: The Funeral Games for Patroclus
Chariot races, wrestling, and archery honoring the memory of the fallen hero.
Ch. 8: The Duel Of Hector And Ajax
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 8
Chapter 9: King Priam in the Tent of Achilles
The aged king kisses the hands that slew his son: Achilles weeps and yields Hector's body for burial.
Ch. 9: The Battle On The Plain
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 9
Ch. 10: The Embassy To Achilles
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 10
Ch. 11: The Adventure Of Ulysses And Diomed
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 11
Ch. 12: The Wounding Of The Chiefs
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 12
Ch. 13: The Battle At The Wall
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 13
Ch. 14: The Battle At The Ships
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 14
Ch. 15: The Deeds And Death Of Patroclus
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 15
Ch. 16: The Rousing Of Achilles
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 16
Ch. 17: The Making Of The Arms
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 17
Ch. 18: The Ending Of The Strife
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 18
Ch. 19: The Battle At The River
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 19
Ch. 20: The Battle Of The Gods
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 20
Ch. 21: The Slaying Of Hector
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 21
Ch. 22: The Burning Of Patroclus
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 22
Ch. 23: The Ransoming Of Hector
The Story of the Iliad by Alfred J. Church — Chapter 23
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