My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die.

What it means

Achilles knows his choice: go home and live long, or stay, die young and be remembered. Every serious life involves a trade like that. Know what you are giving up and why.

The source

"My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die." Homer said it in Iliad 9.413. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

"ὤλετο μέν μοι νόστος, ἀτὰρ κλέος ἄφθιτον ἔσται"

Original Greek, Iliad 9.413. Text read at github.com.

Who said it

Homer (c. 8th century BC). The poet of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the war at Troy and the long sail home. Greeks learned courage, endurance and the sea from his lines.

Questions

What does "My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die." mean?

Achilles knows his choice: go home and live long, or stay, die young and be remembered. Every serious life involves a trade like that. Know what you are giving up and why.

Who said "My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die."?

Homer (c. 8th century BC). Source: Iliad 9.413.

What is the original Greek?

ὤλετο μέν μοι νόστος, ἀτὰρ κλέος ἄφθιτον ἔσται. Translated from the original Greek by Spartan Surfers.

Is "My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"My homecoming is lost, but my glory will never die." (Homer, Iliad 9.413, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/my-homecoming-is-lost-but-my-glory-will