Allen Rogers Benner

An admirable text for the intermediate student of Greek who is approaching Homer for the first time, this volume (which has been around since 1903), offers a selection of passages from the Iliad. Five full books are presented (I, III, IX, XVIII, XXII), as well as episodes from seven others (II, V, VI, XV, XVI, XIX, XXIV), which leaves twelve books wholly unexplored. This title also includes a significant section of explanatory notes (pg. 213-345), a short Homeric Grammar, and a Vocabulary & Greek Index.

This is not a book intended for someone making a complete study of the Iliad in the ancient Greek (something I have never done, alas!), but serves to introduce a solid portion of Homer's work. It was the text in one of my college courses, so I also had the benefit of solid in-person instruction while using it. On a related note: I tend not to use the grammar and glossary/vocabulary features of books such as these, because I find it so annoying to be constantly flipping back and forth. I use either my Liddell & Scott Lexicon or the Perseus Project website as resources instead - they give you definitions, grammatical form, and other helpful information while the text is open in front of you. Just a study tip from one student to another...… (mere)