Homer: Iliad

Introduction

Homer’s Iliad, about the siege of Troy, is the most important work of ancient Greek literature, next to the Odyssey. But just like the Odyssey, it’s about strange peoples & places that are ripped out of their historical context, or that never existed in any real context.

The reason is of course pun-encryption. Like pretty much every other piece of ancient literature, the Iliad is written to have a double-meaning. It’s secretly about how the aristocrats deceive the common people, by disguising themselves as commoners.

Since mythical Troy is an often-used codeword for Tyre, the actual superpower behind the eternal reign of deception, it may be that the Iliad in later sections starts telling something about actual history. So far, I’ve only decrypted the beginning, which is once again about the origins of aristocratic deception.

How to read this

• In the interlinear word-by-word translation, each word is shown as a little block; each verse is a paragraph of little blocks.
• Use the Pun Config to choose your level: Minimal for secret meaning only, Beginner for secret & official English texts, Intermediate for word-by-word vocabulary, Expert for original text & glyphs.
• Possible pun-encrypted meaning is marked with light red.
• Official meaning is marked with light green.
• Pun vocabulary is in red, whenever the meaning differs. All vocabulary is linked to online dictionaries.
• Please read the introduction, and judge yourself whether I got it right.
• Religious readers should proceed with care.

Iliad

Deception makes the multitudes happy, and makes them respect the nobility.

Iliad 1.1

Encrypted: Of ridicule sing, o great spectacle, of deceiving the multitudes the wretched, which to the numberless poor people respect for their masters brought.

Official: Of wrath sing o goddess, of the son of Peleus Achilles the accursed, which to countless Achaeans Greeks suffering brought.

[Of] ridicule [?]
μωμος / μωμιν mōmos / mōmin: blame, ridicule
μηνιν mēnin
μηνις / μηνιν mēnis / mēnin: wrath
[Of] wrath

sing,
αειδω aeidō: sing, praise
αειδε aeide
αειδω aeidō: sing, praise
sing

[o great] spectacle,
θεα thea: seeing, spectacle, performance
θεα thea
θεα thea: goddess
[o] goddess,

of deceiving
φηλητευω / φηλητευης phēlēteuō / phēlēteuēs: cheat, deceive
Πηληιαδεω Pēlēiadeō
Πηληιαδης / Πηληιαδεω Pēlēiadēs / Pēlēiadeō: Peleides, son of Peleus
of [the son of] Peleus

the multitudes
οχλος ochlos: crowd, populace, mob, mass, multitude
Αχιληος Achilēos
Αχιληυς Achilēus: Achilles
Achilles

the wretched,
ουλομενος oulomenos: wretched
ουλομενην oulomenēn
ουλομενος oulomenos: accursed, ruined
the accursed,

which
ὁ / ἡ ho / hē: the, he
ἡ hē
ὁ / ἡ ho / hē: the, he
which

to the numberless
μυριος myrios: numberless, countless, endless
μυρι myri
μυριος myrios: numberless, countless, endless
to countless

poor [people]
αχην / αχαιος achēn / achaios: poor, needy
Αχαιοις Achaiois
Αχαιος / Αχαιον Achaios / Achaion: Achaean
Achaeans [Greeks]

respect [for their masters?]
αλεγω alegō: regard, respect
αλγε alge
αλγεω algeō: suffer, troubled
suffering

brought.
τιθημι / εθηκε tithēmi / ethēke: put, place, set
εθηκε ethēke
τιθημι / εθηκε tithēmi / ethēke: put, place, set
brought.

Iliad 1.1

Iliad 1.3

Encrypted: Many hateful souls who were hateful to the nobility it won over to the nobility, they then happy were made, the commoners and the supporters also all.

Official: Many strong lives to Hades he sent those lives of the heroes, they then booty were made for dogs and vultures also all.

Many
πολυς polys: many
πολλας pollas
πολυς polys: many
Many

 
δε de: and, but
δ d
δε de: and, but
 

hateful
αποθυμιος apothymios: unpleasant, hateful
ιφθιμους iphthimous
ιφθιμος iphthimos: stout, strong
strong

souls
ψυχη psychē: soul, life
ψυχας psychas
ψυχη psychē: soul, life
lives

[who were hateful] to the nobility
αιδως aidōs: nobility, dignity, majesty
Αιδι Aidi
Αιδης Aidēs: Hades
to Hades

it won over
παραπειθω parapeithō: persuade gradually, win over, beguile
προιαψεν proiapsen
προιαπτω proiaptō: send forth
he sent

to the nobility,
ἡρως hērōs: noble, lord, master
ἡρωων hērōōn
ἡρως hērōs: hero
[those lives] of the heroes,

they
αυτος autos: self
αυτους autous
αυτος autos: self
they

then
δε de: and, but
δε de
δε de: and, but
then

happy
ἱλαρος / ἱλαρος hilaros / hilaros: cheerful, happy
ἑλωρια helōria
ἑλωριον helōrion: booty
booty

were made,
τευχω teuchō: make ready
τευχε teuche
τευχω teuchō: make ready
were made

the commoners
κοινοω / κοινουσιν koinoō / koinousin: make common, profane
κυνεσσιν kynessin
κυων / κυνεσσιν kyōn / kynessin: dog
[for] dogs

[and] the supporters [?]
ονινημι / ονινης oninēmi / oninēs: help, support, assist
οιωνοισι oiōnoisi
οιωνος oiōnos: bird of prey
[and] vultures

also
τε te: and, also
τε te
τε te: and, also
also

all.
πας pas: all
πασι pasi
πας pas: all
all.

Iliad 1.3

The poor started it all, by unfairly criticizing the nobles for taking their money.

Iliad 1.5

Encrypted: Of the nobility was performed their will, from the time when first were divided in separation the self-chosen lords of men, and the wretched multitudes.

Official: Of Zeus was performed his will, from the time when first were divided in quarrel the son of Atreus, the king of men, and noble Achilles.

Of the nobility
διος dios: worthy, noble
Διος Dios
Διος Dios: Zeus; διος dios: divine
Of Zeus

 
δε de: and, but
δ d
δε de: and, but
 

was performed
τελεω teleō: execute, perform
ετελειετο eteleieto
τελεω teleō: execute, perform
was performed

[their] will,
βουλη boulē: will
βουλη boulē
βουλη boulē: will
[his] will,

from
εκ / εξ ek / ex: from
εξ ex
εκ / εξ ek / ex: from
from

the
ὁ / ου ho / hou: the, he
οὑ hou
ὁ / ου ho / hou: the, he
the

time
δη dē: now, then, at that point
δη dē
δη dē: now, then, at that point
time

 
ὁ / τα ho / ta: the, he
τα ta
ὁ / τα ho / ta: the, he
 

[when] first
πρωτος prōtos: first
πρωτα prōta
πρωτος prōtos: first
[when] first

were divided
διιστημι diistēmi: set apart, separate, divided
διαστητην diastētēn
διιστημι diistēmi: set apart, separate, divided
were divided

[in] separation
ὁριζω horizō: divide, separate, ordain
ερισαντε erisante
εριζω erizō: strive, quarrel
[in] quarrel

the self-chosen [??]
αυθαιρετος authairetos: self-chosen, independent, free
Ατρειδης Atreidēs
Ατρειδης Atreidēs: Atreides, son of Atreus
the [son of] Atreus,

 
τε te: and, also
τε te
τε te: and, also
 

lords
αναξ anax: lord, master, king
αναξ anax
αναξ anax: lord, master, king
the king

of men,
ανηρ / ανδρων anēr / andrōn: man, human
ανδρων andrōn
ανηρ / ανδρων anēr / andrōn: man, human
of men,

and
και kai: and
και kai
και kai: and
and

the wretched
δαιος daios: hostile, wretched
διος dios
διος dios: divine, noble
noble

multitudes.
οχλος ochlos: crowd, throng, mob, masses
Αχιλλευς Achilleus
Αχιληυς Achilēus: Achilles
Achilles.

Iliad 1.5

Iliad 1.8

Encrypted: Who then brought these two sides, to quarrel and brought them to fight? It was the poor and wretched folk, those kind of people!

Official: Who then brought these two men, of the gods, to quarrel and brought them to fight? It was of Leto and Zeus the son!

Who
τις tis: who, what
τις tis
τις tis: who, what
Who

 
τε te: and, also
τ t
τε te: and, also
 

then
αρα ara: so, then
αρ ar
αρα ara: so, then
then

[brought] these two [sides],
σφωε sphōe: both of them, these two
σφωε sphōe
σφωε sphōe: both of them, these two
[brought] these two [men],

 
θεος theos: God, god
θεων theōn
θεος theos: God, god
of the gods,

to quarrel
ερις eris: strife, quarrel, contention
εριδι eridi
ερις eris: strife, quarrel, contention
to quarrel

[and] brought [them]
συνιημι syniēmi: bring together
ξυνεηκε xyneēke
συνιημι syniēmi: bring together
[and] brought [them]

to fight?
μαχομαι machomai: fight
μαχεσθαι machesthai
μαχομαι machomai: fight
to fight?

[It was] the poor
λιτος / λιτω litos / litō: simple, poor, paltry, petty
Λητους Lētous
Λητω / Λητους Lētō / Lētous: Leto
[It was] of Leto

and
και kai: and, also
και kai
και kai: and, also
and

wretched [folk],
δαιος daios: hostile, wretched
Διος Dios
Διος Dios: Zeus; διος dios: divine
Zeus

[those] kind of people!
οἱος hoios: manner, kind, sort of person
υἱος huios
υιος huios: son
the son!

 
ὁ ho: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ ho: the, he
 

Iliad 1.8

Iliad 1.9

Encrypted: Because against the nobles in provocation a great disorder throughout the common people was stirred up in their wretchedness, ruining the subjects, because the tax money was totally unfairly criticized, that was taken away of the masses.

Official: Because against the king in anger a great plague throughout the host he raised in his wickedness, killing the men, because Chryses was unfairly dishonored, the priest, by the sons of Atreus.

Because
γαρ gar: for, indeed, because
γαρ gar
γαρ gar: for, indeed, because
Because

[against] the nobles
βασιλευς basileus: king, ruler, lord, noble
βασιληι basilēi
βασιλευς basileus: king, ruler, lord, noble
[against] the king

[in] provocation
χολοω choloō: anger, provoke
χολωθεις cholōtheis
χολοω choloō: anger, provoke
[in] anger

a [great] disorder
νοσος nosos: distress, mischief, disorder
νουσον nouson
νοσος nosos: disease, plague
a [great] plague

throughout
ανα ana: throughout
ανα ana
ανα ana: throughout
throughout

the common people
στρατος stratos: commons, people
στρατον straton
στρατος stratos: army, host
the host

was stirred up
ορνυμι ornymi: raise, set upon, stir up
ορσε orse
ορνυμι ornymi: raise, set upon, stir up
[he] raised

[in their] wretchedness,
κακος kakos: wretched, base, low of birth
κακην kakēn
κακος kakos: bad, evil, wicked
[in his] wickedness,

ruining
ολεκω olekō: ruin, destroy, kill
ολεκοντο olekonto
ολεκω olekō: ruin, destroy, kill
killing

 
δε de: and, but
δε de
δε de: and, but
 

the subjects,
λαος laos: subjects, common people
λαοι laoi
λαος laos: men
the men,

because
ουνεκα houneka: because
οὑνεκα houneka
ουνεκα houneka: because
because

the
ὁ / τον ho / ton: the, he
τον ton
ὁ / τον ho / ton: the, he
 

[tax?] money
χρυσος chrysos: gold coin; χρυσιον chrysion: money; χρησις / χρησιν chrēsis / chrēsin: lending, loan
Χρυσην Chrysēn
Χρυσης / Χρυσην Chrysēs / Chrysēn: Chryses
Chryses

was [totally unfairly] criticized,
αιτιαομαι aitiaomai: blame, criticize, accuse
ητιμασεν ētimasen
ατιμαω atimaō: dishonour, disdain
was [unfairly] dishonored,

[that] was taken away
αειρω / αειρετε aeirō / aeirete: lift, take away, remove, win, gain
αρητηρα arētēra
αρητηρ arētēr: priest; αρα ara: prayer
the priest,

of the masses.
αθροος athroos: in masses, crowded together; -ιδης -idēs: son of
Ατρειδης Atreidēs
Ατρειδης Atreidēs: son of Atreus; α- a-: not; τρεω treō: fear; -ιδης -idēs: son of
[by the sons of] Atreus.

Iliad 1.9

So the nobles hide their wealth, and pretend to be commoners.

Iliad 1.12

Encrypted: But because the nobles could then appear in a new sight in the perception of the poor, they could put an end to these unfair attacks :

Official: Because Chryses had then come swiftly onto the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter.

 
ὁ / ὁς ho / hos: the, he
ὁ ho
ὁ / ὁς ho / hos: the, he
 

[But] because
γαρ gar: for, indeed, because
γαρ gar
γαρ gar: for, indeed, because
Because

[the nobles could then] appear
ερχομαι / ηλθε erchomai / ēlthe: enter, grow, appear
ηλθε ēlthe
ερχομαι / ηλθε erchomai / ēlthe: come, go
[Chryses had then] come

[in a new??] sight
θεα / θεαις thea / theais: view, sight
θοας thoas
θοας thoas: swift
swiftly

in
επι epi: on, with, against
επι epi
επι epi: on, with, against
onto

the perception
νοος noos: mind, sense, perception
νηας nēas
ναυς naus: ship
the ships

of the poor,
αχην / αχαιος achēn / achaios: poor, needy
Αχαιων Achaiōn
Αχαιος / Αχαιων Achaios / Achaiōn: Achaean
of the Achaeans

[they could] put an end to
λυω / λυσομενος lyō / lysomenos: refute, put an end to
λυσομενος lysomenos
λυω / λυσομενος lyō / lysomenos: unbind, set free
to free

 
τε te: and, also
τε te
τε te: and, also
 

[these unfair] attacks [??]:
θιγγανω / θιγγανεται thigganō / thigganetai: attempt, attack
θυγατρα thygatra
θυγατηρ / θυγατεροιν thygatēr / thygateroin: daughter
[his] daughter.

Iliad 1.12

Iliad 1.13

Encrypted: They displayed ignorance of their riches, and made it as if they belonged to the men of low degree, cast-out immigrants, using thereupon mockery.

Official: He was carrying immense ransom, and a wreath he carried in his hands, of the far-hitting Apollo, golden up on a staff.

[They] displayed
φερω pherō: bring forth, show, display, present
φερων pherōn
φερω pherō: bring, bear, carry
He was carrying

 
τε te: and, also
τ t
τε te: and, also
 

ignorance [??]
απειρων apeirōn: without experience, ignorant
απερεισι apereisi
απειρεσιος apeiresios: countless, immense; απειρων apeirōn: countless
immense

of [their] riches [??],
αφενος / αφενη aphenos / aphenē: riches, wealth, plenty
αποινα apoina
αποινα apoina: ransom
ransom,

and made it as if
στευμαι steumai: have the appearance, make as if
στεμματ stemmat
στεμμα stemma: wreath, garland, chaplet
[and] a wreath

[they] belonged
εχω echō: possess, belong to
εχων echōn
εχω echō: bear, carry, bring
he carried

to
εν en: in, into, before
εν en
εν en: in, into, before
in

the men of low degree,
χειρων cheirōn: inferior, men of lowest degree
χερσιν chersin
χειρ cheir: hand, arm
his hands,

cast-out
εκβαλλω ekballō: cast out, banish; εκβολος ekbolos: outcast
ἑκηβολου hekēbolou
ἑκας hekas: far off; βαλλω ballō: throw, shoot, hit
of the far-hitting

immigrants,
επηλυς / επηλυν epēlys / epēlyn: stranger, foreigner, immigrant
Απολλωνος Apollōnos
Απολλων Apollōn: Apollo
Apollo,

using
χρησις chrēsis: use, using, employment
χρυσεω chryseō
χρυσεος chryseos: golden
golden

thereupon
ανα ana: all over, thereupon
ανα ana
ανα ana: up, upon
up on

mockery [??].
σκωπτω / σκωπτετον skōptō / skōpteton: mock, jest, joke
σκηπτρω skēptrō
σκηπτρον skēptron: sceptre, staff
a staff.

Iliad 1.13

The nobles make the leaders of the poor betray them, and help to deceive them.

Iliad 1.15

Encrypted: And they beseeched all the poor, but any independent lesser authorities most of all, the double crossing leaders of the people:

Official: And he beseeched all the Achaeans, but the sons of Atreus most of all, the two leaders of the people:

And
και kai: and, also
και kai
και kai: and, also
And

[they] beseeched
λισσομαι lissomai: beg, pray, beseech
λισσετο lisseto
λισσομαι lissomai: beg, pray, beseech
[he] beseeched

all
πας pas: all
παντας pantas
πας pas: all
all

the poor,
αχην / αχαιος achēn / achaios: poor, needy
Αχαιους Achaious
Αχαιος / Αχαιων Achaios / Achaiōn: Achaean
the Achaeans,

[but any] independent [lesser authorities??]
αυθαιρετος authairetos: self-chosen, independent, free
Ατρειδα Atreida
Ατρειδης Atreidēs: son of Atreus; α- a-: not; τρεω treō: fear; -ιδης -idēs: son of
[but the sons of] Atreus

 
δε de: and, but
δε de
δε de: and, but
 

most of all,
μαλιστα malista: most, above all
μαλιστα malista
μαλιστα malista: most, above all
most of all,

the double [crossing???]
δοιοι doioi: twofold, double
δυω dyō
δυω dyō: two
the two

leaders
κοσμητωρ kosmētōr: commander, leader
κοσμητορε kosmētore
κοσμητωρ kosmētōr: commander, leader
leaders

of the people:
λαος laos: men
λαων laōn
λαος laos: men
of the people:

Iliad 1.15

Iliad 1.17

Encrypted: Independent leaders, and also you other helmsmen of the poor folk, to you indeed the nobles will allow it, they who distinguished family backgrounds have, to assist them in deceiving the multitudes, and to well-off to your homes return.

Official: Sons of Atreus, and also you other well-greaved Achaeans, to you indeed the gods have granted it, they who the Olympic domain possess, to sack of Priam the city, and to well to your homes return.

Independent [leaders??],
αυθαιρετος authairetos: self-chosen, independent, free
Ατρειδαι Atreidai
Ατρειδης Atreidēs: son of Atreus; α- a-: not; τρεω treō: fear; -ιδης -idēs: son of
[Sons of] Atreus,

and
τε te: and, also
τε te
τε te: and, also
and

also
και kai: and, also
και kai
και kai: and, also
also

[you] other
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλοι alloi
αλλος allos: other, another
[you] other

helmsmen [??]
οιακονομος oiakonomos: helmsman, pilot, ruler
ευκνημιδες euknēmides
ευκνημις euknēmis: well-greaved
well-greaved [??]

[of] the poor [folk],
αχην / αχαιος achēn / achaios: poor, needy
Αχαιοι Achaioi
Αχαιος / Αχαιων Achaios / Achaiōn: Achaean
Achaeans,

to you
ὑμεις hymeis: you
ὑμιν hymin
ὑμεις hymeis: you
to you

indeed
μεν men: indeed
μεν men
μεν men: indeed
indeed

the nobles
διος dios: worthy, noblest
θεοι theoi
θεος theos: God, god
the gods

will allow [it],
διδωμι didōmi: grant, provide, allow
δοιεν doien
διδωμι didōmi: grant, provide, allow
have granted [it],

[they who] distinguished
ελλαμπω ellampō: distinguish oneself
Ολυμπια Olympia
Ολυμπια Olympia: Olympia
[they who] the Olympic

family [backgrounds]
δωμα dōma: household, family
δωματ dōmat
δωμα dōma: house
domain

have,
εχω echō: have, hold, possess
εχοντες echontes
εχω echō: have, hold, possess
possess,

to assist [them]
εξυπηρετεω exypēreteō: assist to the utmost
εκπερσαι ekpersai
εκπερθω ekperthō: destroy utterly, sack
to sack

in deceiving
προιημι / προιεμενος proiēmi / proiemenos: deliver over, betray
Πριαμοιο Priamoio
Πριαμος / Πριαμοιο Priamos / Priamoio: Priam
of Priam

the multitudes,
πολυς polys: many, multitude, people, commonalty
πολιν polin
πολις polis: city
the city,

[and] to well-off
ευ eu: well off, prosper
ευ eu
ευ eu: well
[and] to well

 
δε de: and, but
δ d
δε de: and, but
 

to your homes
οικαδε oikade: home, to one’s house
οικαδ oikad
οικαδε oikade: home, to one’s house
to your homes

return.
ἱκνεομαι hikneomai: come, reach, return
ἱκεσθαι hikesthai
ἱκνεομαι hikneomai: come, reach, return
return.

Iliad 1.17

Iliad 1.20

Encrypted: The other slaves of ours, help us mock those people, for a compensation to be received, those who are angry of the nobility that sort of person, cast them out and drive them away.

Official: The child of mine, please unbind my beloved, for a ransom to be received, in honour of Zeus his son, the far-hitting Apollo.

The [other] slaves
παις / παιδας pais / paidas: slave, servant
παιδα paida
παις / παιδας pais / paidas: son, child
The child

 
δε de: and, but
δ d
δε de: and, but
 

of [ours],
εγω egō: I, me
εμοι emoi
εγω egō: I, me
of mine,

[help us] mock [??]
λασθη lasthē: insult, mockery
λυσαιτε lysaite
λυω / λυσαιτε lyō / lysaite: unbind, set free
[please] unbind

[those] people,
φυλον / φυλοις phylon / phylois: nation, clan, tribe, people
φιλην philēn
φιλος / φιλην philos / philēn: loved, beloved, dear
[my] beloved,

[for] a
ὁ / τα ho / ta: the, he
τα ta
ὁ / τα ho / ta: the, he
[for] a

 
δε de: and, but
δ d
δε de: and, but
 

compensation
αποινα apoina: ransom, compensation
αποινα apoina
αποινα apoina: ransom, compensation
ransom

to be received,
δεχομαι dechomai: take, accept, receive
δεχεσθαι dechesthai
δεχομαι dechomai: take, accept, receive
to be received,

[those who are] angry [???]
ἁζομαι hazomai: angry
ἁζομενοι hazomenoi
ἁζομαι hazomai: stand in awe of
in honour [??]

of the nobility
διος dios: worthy, noblest
Διος Dios
Διος Dios: Zeus; διος dios: divine
of Zeus

[that] sort of person [??],
οἱος hoios: manner, kind, sort of person
υἱον huion
υιος huios: son
[his] son,

cast [them] out [???]
εκβαλλω ekballō: cast out, banish, reject
ἑκηβολον hekēbolon
ἑκας hekas: far off; βαλλω ballō: throw, shoot, hit
the far-hitting

[and] drive [them] away [???].
απελαυνω apelaunō: drive away, banish, expel
Απολλωνα Apollōna
Απολλων Apollōn: Apollo
Apollo.

Iliad 1.20

Iliad 1.22

Encrypted: There, those other leaders indeed all shouted assent of the poor people, to pay reverence to the powerful, and at the splendid prospect of receiving this compensation.

Official: There, the others indeed all shouted assent of the Achaeans, to pay reverence to the priest and at the splendid prospect of receiving this ransom.

There,
ενθα entha: there
ενθ enth
ενθα entha: there
There,

[those] other [leaders]
αλλος allos: other, another
αλλοι alloi
αλλος allos: other, another
the others

indeed
μεν men: indeed
μεν men
μεν men: indeed
indeed

all
πας pas: all
παντες pantes
πας pas: all
all

shouted assent
επευφημεω epeuphēmeō: shout assent
επευφημησαν epeuphēmēsan
επευφημεω epeuphēmeō: shout assent
shouted assent

of the poor [people],
αχην / αχαιος achēn / achaios: poor, needy
Αχαιοι Achaioi
Αχαιος / Αχαιων Achaios / Achaiōn: Achaean
of the Achaeans,

to pay reverence to
αιδεομαι aideomai: feel regard, pay due reverence
αιδεισθαι aideisthai
αιδεομαι aideomai: feel regard, pay due reverence
to pay reverence to

 
τε te: and, also
θ th
τε te: and, also
 

the powerful,
ἱερος hieros: mighty, august, powerful
ἱερηα hierēa
ἱερευς hiereus: priest
the priest

and
και kai: and, also
και kai
και kai: and, also
and

[at] the splendid [prospect]
αγλαος aglaos: splendid, shining
αγλαα aglaa
αγλαος aglaos: splendid, shining
[at] the splendid [prospect]

of receiving
δεχομαι dechomai: take, accept, receive
δεχθαι dechthai
δεχομαι dechomai: take, accept, receive
of receiving

[this] compensation.
αποινα apoina: ransom, compensation
αποινα apoina
αποινα apoina: ransom, compensation
[this] ransom.

Iliad 1.22