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The Iliad of Homer

By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver
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Summary

For thousands of years, Homer's ancient epic poem the Iliad has enchanted readers from around the world. When you join Professor Vandiver for this lecture series on the Iliad, you'll come to understand what has enthralled and gripped so many people.

Her compelling 12-lecture look at this literary masterpiece - whether it's the work of many authors or the "vision" of a single blind poet - makes it vividly clear why, after almost 3,000 years, the Iliad remains not only among the greatest adventure stories ever told but also one of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written.

As you'll learn, the grandeur and immediacy of Homer's world would seem to defy time and space. Throughout these lectures, you'll explore this legendary era in brilliant, unforgettable hues. You'll meet its towering heroes who thirst for honor and the gods who inspired and instigated them. You'll go deep inside the shattering battles at Troy that act out mankind's awesome passions for glory, love, and vengeance. But more than that, you'll focus on the timeless human issues this masterpiece raises, all of them evoked by the power of a single dramatic question: Why does Achilles rage? The limits of freedom, the common humanity we share, the line between justice and revenge, the nature of destiny, the meaning of life - Professor Vandiver uses the Iliad as a potent lens through which to study them all.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses
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What listeners say about The Iliad of Homer

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Excellent Professor- opened up a whole new world for me

Really fantastic lecture series- easy to understand, captivating and the language flow and understanding is spot on!
Thank you Professor Vandiver for enabling and opening up a new world for me.
Will look for other work done by this Professor she is excellent.

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Great Listening to Great Courses

A great listen if you’ve read the books, and it is probably very helpful if you’re new to these canonical texts too.

The lectures are delivered professionally, as you would expect, and keep you interested in the subject.

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helped a lot with my reading of the Iliad!

helped a lot with my reading of the Iliad! would recommend if struggling with the original text

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Outstanding learning accompaniment to The Illiad

Ms Vandiver excels at bringing Homer's epic to life through her deep understanding of the plot and characterss, alongside her appreciation for the history and culture of the poet and his times. She shines light on important areas that you might have overlooked and delights in sharing this knowledge with the enthusiastic student.

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Grabbed my attention!

Thoroughly enjoyed prof Vandiver's argumentation of the Iliad. I highly recommend it for its exposition.

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Excellent listening.

Really enjoyable, it was much better than I had anticipated. Lots of new angles to consider. Fantastic.

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Thank you Elizabeth

Your lectures on the works of Homer have brought these masterpieces alive. The more I listen to you the more enraptured I am. Thank you so much.

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very enjoyable

Great story well told with passion. will give you a better understanding of the iliad

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Fantastic resource.

These lectures about the Iliad are well informed and good to listen to. Very enjoyable, accessible, and brings Homer within reach of a modern audience.
I used this to enhance my Open University study and it has really helped with my understanding. Unbiased and clear approach. Very satisfied.

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Brilliant lecture series

Excellent, insightful series of lectures on a fascinating story. The Iliad’s treatment of the questions of the human condition is still relevant.

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