This is an abridged version of the translator's version of the Iliad , published in 1997 (ISBN 0-87220-543-6). It highlights high poetic moments and essential mythological content and will be especially useful in surveys of world literature and in Western civilization surveys. An introduction situates the epic in its historical and cultural contexts, elucidates its representation and critique of traditional heroism, and calls attention to the main interpretive problems it raises for ancient audiences and modern readers. Editors Stanley Lombardo and Sheila Murnaghan teach classical studies at the University of Kansas and the University of Pennsylvania. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)