New York, NY — March 12, 2026 — Long before the modern novel, before the theater of Shakespeare or the political pamphlets of revolution, there were the epics of Homer—vast poetic narratives that shaped the foundations of Western storytelling. Now Poetica, the poetry imprint of Casa Carlini, presents new editions of Homer’s two immortal poems: The Iliad and The Odyssey, translated by Alexander Pope.
Composed nearly three millennia ago, these epics remain among the most influential works ever written. The Iliad recounts the final, furious chapter of the Trojan War, centering on the rage of Achilles and the tragic consequences of pride, honor, and vengeance. The poem unfolds not merely as a story of battle but as a meditation on mortality, heroism, and the fragile glory of human achievement.
The Odyssey, by contrast, tells the long and perilous journey home of Odysseus after the fall of Troy. Across seas filled with monsters, enchantresses, storms, and treachery, the hero struggles to return to Ithaca and reclaim his place among family and kingdom. It is a tale not only of adventure but of endurance, intelligence, and the longing for home.
Together, the two epics form the cornerstone of Western literature. They have shaped storytelling for centuries, inspiring dramatists, poets, philosophers, and filmmakers alike. From Virgil and Dante to modern reinterpretations across literature and cinema, Homer’s influence continues to reverberate.
These new Poetica editions present the poems in the celebrated eighteenth-century translation by Alexander Pope. Renowned for its rhythmic brilliance and rhetorical clarity, Pope’s version transformed Homer’s Greek verse into heroic English couplets that helped introduce generations of readers to the grandeur and drama of the ancient epics.
The timing of the release is especially apt. With Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated film adaptation of The Odyssey arriving in theaters this summer, renewed attention is turning toward Homer’s timeless story of wandering, resilience, and return. Poetica’s edition aims to meet that moment by bringing Pope’s classic translation to a new generation of readers.
The book covers were designed by Farashta Rezai, a graphic design student at George Mason University in Virginia. Drawing inspiration from classical Greek art and mythology, Rezai created a cohesive visual language that evokes the heroic scale and mythic atmosphere of Homer’s world. The design for The Iliad features stylized Greek warriors emerging from a clouded sky, figures poised between triumph and tragedy, echoing the poem’s enduring themes of glory and loss.
“Epic poetry often feels distant to modern readers,” said Charles Carlini, founder of Casa Carlini. “But Homer’s stories are as alive as ever—about war, ambition, love, homecoming, and the limits of human power. With Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey on the horizon, this felt like the perfect moment to revisit these extraordinary works.”
More than stories of ancient gods and warriors, The Iliad and The Odyssey remain enduring explorations of what it means to be human—our courage and arrogance, our loyalty and longing, and our search for meaning in a world governed by fate and chance.
The Homer editions from Poetica are available now through Casa Carlini, major booksellers, and Amazon.
About Poetica
Poetica, the poetry imprint of Casa Carlini, is dedicated to preserving and reintroducing the great poetic voices of the past while bringing timeless verse into conversation with modern readers.
About Casa Carlini
Casa Carlini publishes thoughtfully curated editions of classic and contemporary works across its imprints, each dedicated to exploring the ideas, stories, and cultural forces that shape our world.
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