The Iliad

5b Homer. Lutetia (or Paris in Latin), 1554. IN GREEK.

Notes

The Iliad, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem set during the Trojan War, focusing on a brief but pivotal period in the conflict. Centered on the wrath of Achilles, it explores themes of honor, pride, fate, and the human cost of war as Greek and Trojan heroes clash on and off the battlefield. While it features dramatic duels, interventions by the gods, and vivid depictions of heroism and mortality, the poem also highlights the deep emotional struggles of its characters, revealing how personal grievances and divine influences shape the course of the war.

Greek editions of the Iliad from the 1550s belong to an important period in classical scholarship, when the revival of Greek learning in Renaissance Europe led to improved printed texts of ancient works. By the mid-16th century, printers—especially in Venice, Basel, and Paris—were producing high-quality Greek editions based on earlier Byzantine manuscripts. Venice was the center of Greek printing at the time, with the Aldine Press (founded by Aldus Manutius) having set the standard earlier in the century; later Venetian printers such as Giunta and Zacharias Callierges continued issuing Greek classics. Editions of the Iliad from the 1550s often included scholarly commentaries (scholia), marginal notes, and improved typography as Greek typefaces became more refined. These books represent a transitional moment when ancient epic poetry moved from medieval manuscript tradition into the more widely accessible world of Renaissance humanist printing.

The city listed as “Lutetia” reflects the classical Roman name for modern-day Paris, consistent with the humanist preference for ancient place names in scholarly works. During this period, printers and editors often employed Latin alongside Greek to situate texts within the context of classical antiquity and to appeal to educated readers familiar with Roman geography and culture. Thus, the reference to Lutetia highlights the book’s connection to both the Renaissance revival of classical learning and the broader tradition of European humanist scholarship.

Description

Original calf leather boards with rebacked spine. Rounding to corners from bumping over time. Red ruling and hand carved woodblock letters throughout. Hand-drawn illustration on title page. Pastedown bookplate to second flyleaf of Rev. John Vane. Minimal foxing. Very good condition for age. Fully intact. Greek.