THE ILIAD (MIDDLE GRADE VERSION)

THE ILIAD by Homer. Adapted by Gillian Cross. Illustrated by Neil Parker

I have read The Odyssey twice with some of my high schoolers, but I have never read The Iliad. Isaac and I are separately reading this children's version, and then we will meet for a discussion of it. I wasn't familiar with what the title meant, so I looked it up. It literally means "poem of Troy."

 The Iliad starts off with three goddesses each desiring an apple that bears the words "for the most beautiful." They couldn't decide who should get it, so they have Paris, the most handsome man, pick. Each goddess tries to bribe him. He chooses Aphrodite's offer which is the most beautiful earthly woman, Helen. She just happens to be married to King Menelaus. Paris takes Helen to Troy and Menelaus with several other Greek kings follow, and this is the beginning of the Trojan war.

There are so many lessons to share with your kids in this story. Topics like the sacredness of marriage, betrayal, forgiveness, revenge, the fickle nature of the Greek gods and the steadfast love of God, etc.

The Greek gods really are an interesting study. I truly cannot imagine living with trying to figure out if I was being tricked by them, if they were for me or against me. They are constantly causing havoc and intervening into situations.

The illustrations are wonderful. Neil Packer uses gouache, pen, and wash. I had to look up gouache which is an old opaque watercolor style. Wash means to apply a thin transparent paint over previously painted surfaces. He then places words within the pictures. They are fascinating to study.