Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > British Museum
Board of wood inscribed in ink with lines 468-473 of Book I
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Board of wood inscribed in ink with lines 468-473 of Book I
Wooden board with iron handle inscribed in ink with lines 468-473 from Book I of Iliad by Homer. 1st-2nd century AD. Roman. From Egypt. British Museum. London. England. United Kingdom
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14324621
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
Classic Epic Fragment Handle Homer Homeric Iliad Inscribed Inscription Iron Letter Lines Romans Scripture Word
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Africa
> Related Images
> Arts
> Literature
> Books
> Arts
> Literature
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> British Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> British Museum
EDITORS COMMENTS
1st-2nd Century AD: Wooden Board Inscribed with Lines 468-473 of Homer's Iliad from the British Museum, London, England, United Kingdom This ancient wooden board, inscribed with lines 468-473 from Book I of Homer's epic poem, the Iliad, dates back to the 1st-2nd century AD. Discovered in Egypt, this relic is a testament to the enduring influence of Greek literature in the Roman world. The board, which features an iron handle, is inscribed in ink, with the lines carefully etched into the wood. The Iliad, an epic poem attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is considered one of the greatest works of Western literature. The poem tells the story of the Trojan War, a legendary conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. This wooden board is a fragment of a larger text, likely part of a scroll or codex, that once contained the entire Iliad. The lines inscribed on the board, which read "But Zeus the cloud-gatherer put in their hearts / To fight against each other, and they obeyed / The son of Cronus, and they drew their sharp-pointed swords / And cast them at once, and the earth rang with the clash / Of bronze and the shouting of the warriors," (468-473), describe the beginning of the quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles that sets the events of the Iliad in motion. This fragment, now housed in the British Museum in London, England, offers a glimpse into the ancient world's fascination with the epic tales of Homer and the enduring power of literature to transcend time and place. The intricately inscribed lines, etched into the wood with precision, serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving the literary heritage of the past for future generations.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
