Ilion is the epic poem in quantitative hexameters written by Sri Aurobindo. It describes the last day of Troy during the Trojan War. Composed in nine books, the final ninth book remains incomplete. Sri Aurobindo began writing the epic around 1909 while in Alipore Jail.

“Like Homer's Iliad, Sri Aurobindo's Ilion is also an incomplete work. Iliad is spread over eight days, ending with the death of Hector at the hands of Achilles. Sri Aurobindo's Ilion covers the events of a single day, the last day of the doomed city of Troy.  In Homer's Iliad, the action begins with the wrath of Achilles against Agamemnon. In Sri Aurobindo's Ilion, the action begins with the proposal of Achilles to Troy conveyed at the dawn by a messenger, ‘carrying Fate in his helpless hands and the doom of an empire.’ Eight books are entitled respectively, The Book of the Herald; The Book of the Statesman; The Book of the Assembly; The Book of Partings; The Book of Achilles; The Book of the Chieftains; The Book of the Woman; and The Book of the Gods. The ninth book does not bear any title, and it is left incomplete, although the end of the story of Troy is sufficiently indicated.”

                                                    — Homer and Iliad, Sri Aurobindo and Ilion by Kireet Joshi

About the Session

In this session, Rathi offers her reflections on Ilion, interweaving them with readings of related lines from the poem. Rathi is an exponent of Sri Aurobindo's poetry, having studied its meanings and nuances of rendition for many years.

Facilitator

Rathi

Editor of Awakening, Research Scholar, and member of Sri Aurobindo Society

Organising Team

Coordinator – Ahana

Research Scholar and member of Sri Aurobindo Society

Assistant Coordinator – Meena

Office Support Assistant, Sri Aurobindo Society

Advisory Consultant – Sushanto

Senior Artist and member of Sri Aurobindo Society

Registration details: Registration is free.

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