[William Tell]

I would think that the best way to judge a translation of Homer’s epic would be to ask, “Is the story told the way Homer would have told it?”. Who would presume to improve on a work that has lasted almost three thousand years?

[nickcarraway]

Homer wouldn’t have written it down?

[dr_lew]

The wrath do thou sing, O goddess of Peleus' son, Achilles, that baneful wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeas, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of warriors, and made themselves to be a spoil for dogs and all manner of birds ...

Check. This is THE ILIAD in the Loeb Classical Library, and the greek is right there if you have any questions. And I've got to tell you, they've got more answers than I have questions!