The Iliad of Homer in Alexander Pope’s celebrated 18th-century verse translation, published as a sumptuous Easton Press edition (1979), is a masterpiece of classical literature and fine craftsmanship. This exquisite volume pairs Pope’s majestic heroic couplets—considered the most poetic English rendering of Homer’s epic—with the striking neoclassical illustrations of John Flaxman, whose elegant line drawings (originally created in 1793) distill the drama of the Trojan War into timeless silhouettes.
Pope’s translation transforms the rage of Achilles, the fall of Hector, and the clash of gods and mortals into flowing, lyrical English, bridging ancient Greek grandeur with Enlightenment refinement. The Easton Press elevates this poetic achievement with its signature heirloom quality: a full leather binding adorned with 22-karat gold accents, archival paper, silk moiré endpapers, and a satin ribbon marker. Flaxman’s spare yet powerful illustrations—reproduced here in their original purity—capture pivotal moments with geometric grace, from the duel between Paris and Menelaus to the funeral pyre of Patroclus.
A treasure for collectors and scholars alike, this edition unites three artistic visions: Homer’s ancient epic, Pope’s Augustan verse, and Flaxman’s neoclassical artistry—all preserved in a volume worthy of its immortal subject. It stands as both a literary monument and a testament to the enduring power of the book as art.
