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Homer's Odyssey: A Companion Based on the English Translation of Richmond Lattimore
Peter Jones provides a line-by-line commentary on Homer's Odyssey that explains the factual details, mythological allusions, and Homeric conventions that a student or general reader could not be expected to bring to an initial encounter with the Odyssey. It also illuminates epic style, Homer's methods of composition, the structure of work, and his characterization. The introduction describes the features of oral poetry and looks at the history of the text of the Odyssey.
The commentary based on Richard Lattimore’s translation, since it is both widely read and technically accurate, but it will be equally relevant to other translations.
This series of Companions is designed for readers who approach the authors of the ancient world with little or no knowledge of Latin or Greek, or of the classical world. The commentaries accompany readily available translations, and the series should be of value to students of classical civilization studies, and history, for GCSE and A Level and at university. Each volume in the series includes the following: an introduction to the author and his work, with reference to scholarly views; a commentary providing explanation of detail, historical background, and a discussion of difficult or key passages; and periodic summaries of situation or content.
The commentary based on Richard Lattimore’s translation, since it is both widely read and technically accurate, but it will be equally relevant to other translations.
This series of Companions is designed for readers who approach the authors of the ancient world with little or no knowledge of Latin or Greek, or of the classical world. The commentaries accompany readily available translations, and the series should be of value to students of classical civilization studies, and history, for GCSE and A Level and at university. Each volume in the series includes the following: an introduction to the author and his work, with reference to scholarly views; a commentary providing explanation of detail, historical background, and a discussion of difficult or key passages; and periodic summaries of situation or content.
239 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 1991
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129 people want to read
About the author
Peter V. Jones
292 books39 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Jones (sometimes credited as Peter V. Jones) is a former lecturer in Classics at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, a writer and journalist. Jones has regularly written on Classics for major newspapers, and was awarded the MBE in 1983. He is a Cambridge graduate.
Jones' popular work has been focused on introducing new generations to Ancient Rome and Greece, from newspaper columns to crossword collections, popular non-fiction, and charitable organisations devoted to helping keep Classics subjects in schools.
Peter Jones (sometimes credited as Peter V. Jones) is a former lecturer in Classics at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, a writer and journalist. Jones has regularly written on Classics for major newspapers, and was awarded the MBE in 1983. He is a Cambridge graduate.
Jones' popular work has been focused on introducing new generations to Ancient Rome and Greece, from newspaper columns to crossword collections, popular non-fiction, and charitable organisations devoted to helping keep Classics subjects in schools.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 16, 2016
This is an excellent companion to Lattimore's translation of the Odyssey. It is the second time I use it.
Apart from an overall introduction, Jones gives shorter ones, of a sharp analytical cut, for each of the 24 chapters, as well as clarifying footnotes. This book was for me very welcome because at least my edition of Lattimore came without footnotes.
This is also a defense of Lattimore as the best translation into English, although Jones does point out in a few cases, some error in the translation, and gives his own alternative.
Apart from an overall introduction, Jones gives shorter ones, of a sharp analytical cut, for each of the 24 chapters, as well as clarifying footnotes. This book was for me very welcome because at least my edition of Lattimore came without footnotes.
This is also a defense of Lattimore as the best translation into English, although Jones does point out in a few cases, some error in the translation, and gives his own alternative.
September 19, 2014
Probably more like 4.5 -5 stars but the format wasn't too user friendly for me. The line numbers in my Lattimore edition didn't match up too well so I didn't bother with that.
However, Peter Jones' commentary was indispensable for me and really illuminated what I was reading: the primary importance in Greek culture of how to treat guests and strangers and the protocol for doing so. Also the importance of one's public reputation and public speaking ability. Understanding these things then clarified the role of the suitors behavior (the ultimate bad guys) and why Odysseus would have to kill them. One senses that the whole story is all about this on a certain level: the "meet and greet" and outcome from it is central to each of Odysseus' adventures, from the Cyclopes to the Sirens, climaxing in the final encounter with the suitors.
However, Peter Jones' commentary was indispensable for me and really illuminated what I was reading: the primary importance in Greek culture of how to treat guests and strangers and the protocol for doing so. Also the importance of one's public reputation and public speaking ability. Understanding these things then clarified the role of the suitors behavior (the ultimate bad guys) and why Odysseus would have to kill them. One senses that the whole story is all about this on a certain level: the "meet and greet" and outcome from it is central to each of Odysseus' adventures, from the Cyclopes to the Sirens, climaxing in the final encounter with the suitors.
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May 28, 2024Helpful resource..
July 28, 2022
If only I could sing the praises of Jones’ book as the archaic bard might sing of the strong-greaved heroes who died in sacred Ilion. This is an indispensable companion to Lattimore's Odyssey, and I mean that in the most emphatic way possible; do not even THINK of reading Lattimore's Odyssey without having this book handy. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the fact that Lattimore's text (or at least the only version of it that is currently in print) contains no footnotes or endnotes. Without a good guide, you will be totally lost!
Jones' notes constantly keep you focused on the major themes of the Odyssey, such as xenia (proper relationships between hosts and guests, such as those that Odysseus and Telemachos meet on their travels, and how these norms are violated by villains such as Polyphemos and the suitors), kleos (good reputation, e.g. Telemachos' struggle to prove himself worthy of the heroic legacy of his father), and humans bringing destruction upon themselves by their own actions (e.g. the suitors, and Odysseus's men with the cattle of Helios). He frequently makes comparisons to the Iliad to reflect on common and unique aspects of the two epics (for example, he contrasts the quarreling, morally ambiguous gods of the Iliad with the gods of the Odyssey who are more harmonious among themselves and play a more active role as executors of justice against wrongdoers, and he compares Odysseus’ slaughter of the suitors to an Iliadic aristeia), and to other authors such as Hesiod and sometimes even Plato to remark on ideas found in Homer that are prominent elsewhere in ancient Greek thought. Also, Jones is always there to serve as a field guide, summarizing myths that are alluded to in the poem and pointing out where specific Greek words have significant meanings that are lost in translation.
In addition, Jones points out textual issues, such as lines where he thinks Lattimore’s translation of the Greek is inaccurate or misleading and suggests an alternative reading of the line. He discusses the ever-important “Homeric Question”, by: pointing out narrative inconsistencies and clumsy, abrupt passages that may suggest insertion by later authors; remarking on Homer’s confused understanding of the geography of the eastern Mediterranean; noting the melding of Bronze Age Mycenaean vestiges with the contemporary realities of Iron Age archaic Greece; and much more. On most important issues, he summarizes the opinions of Homeric scholars and commentators both ancient and modern.
The thoroughness of Jones’ notes forced me to do a close reading of the Odyssey and I cultivated great confidence in reading Homer as I moved through the poem, with Homer in one hand and Jones in the other. By the second half of the poem, I found myself able to anticipate some of the issues that Jones would raise and draw comparisons much more readily with the earlier parts of the poem. Jones clearly knows his Homer inside and out, and with this book, some of his expertise will rub off on you.
Jones' notes constantly keep you focused on the major themes of the Odyssey, such as xenia (proper relationships between hosts and guests, such as those that Odysseus and Telemachos meet on their travels, and how these norms are violated by villains such as Polyphemos and the suitors), kleos (good reputation, e.g. Telemachos' struggle to prove himself worthy of the heroic legacy of his father), and humans bringing destruction upon themselves by their own actions (e.g. the suitors, and Odysseus's men with the cattle of Helios). He frequently makes comparisons to the Iliad to reflect on common and unique aspects of the two epics (for example, he contrasts the quarreling, morally ambiguous gods of the Iliad with the gods of the Odyssey who are more harmonious among themselves and play a more active role as executors of justice against wrongdoers, and he compares Odysseus’ slaughter of the suitors to an Iliadic aristeia), and to other authors such as Hesiod and sometimes even Plato to remark on ideas found in Homer that are prominent elsewhere in ancient Greek thought. Also, Jones is always there to serve as a field guide, summarizing myths that are alluded to in the poem and pointing out where specific Greek words have significant meanings that are lost in translation.
In addition, Jones points out textual issues, such as lines where he thinks Lattimore’s translation of the Greek is inaccurate or misleading and suggests an alternative reading of the line. He discusses the ever-important “Homeric Question”, by: pointing out narrative inconsistencies and clumsy, abrupt passages that may suggest insertion by later authors; remarking on Homer’s confused understanding of the geography of the eastern Mediterranean; noting the melding of Bronze Age Mycenaean vestiges with the contemporary realities of Iron Age archaic Greece; and much more. On most important issues, he summarizes the opinions of Homeric scholars and commentators both ancient and modern.
The thoroughness of Jones’ notes forced me to do a close reading of the Odyssey and I cultivated great confidence in reading Homer as I moved through the poem, with Homer in one hand and Jones in the other. By the second half of the poem, I found myself able to anticipate some of the issues that Jones would raise and draw comparisons much more readily with the earlier parts of the poem. Jones clearly knows his Homer inside and out, and with this book, some of his expertise will rub off on you.
August 14, 2025
Invaluable.
Allowed for much greater enjoyment than I had reading Lattimore’s Iliad. Provides contemporary cultural insights, catches missed irony and “jokes”, offers solutions to logical problems, and allows for much easier following of a narrative that is at times sparse.
Allowed for much greater enjoyment than I had reading Lattimore’s Iliad. Provides contemporary cultural insights, catches missed irony and “jokes”, offers solutions to logical problems, and allows for much easier following of a narrative that is at times sparse.
March 17, 2021
One needs a guidebook for these works. This one was excellent.
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December 30, 2022last book of 2022! useful for my coursework innit
September 28, 2024
very helpful
January 15, 2018
Hated Ulysses, but cannot complain that there's a reason this is a REAL classic.
Glad it's out of the way though.
Should I read the Iliad?
Have a listen to our podcast episode on the Odyssey:
https://soundcloud.com/mostlylitpod/t...
Glad it's out of the way though.
Should I read the Iliad?
Have a listen to our podcast episode on the Odyssey:
https://soundcloud.com/mostlylitpod/t...
December 15, 2013
I wish there would have been a women of Odysseus' equal.
April 28, 2015
Very helpful for interpreting the Lattimore text.
general-fiction
March 8, 2019FIC
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews