Classics in Translation, Volume I: Greek Literature

by Paul MacKendrick (Editor), Herbert M. Howe (Editor)

Here, translated into modern English, are the works of literature, history, science, oratory, and philosophy that constitute the mainstream of classical Greek thought and continue to influence world civilizations. This volume includes:
· Complete translations of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, Sophocles’ Antigone, Euripides’ Medea, Aristophanes’ Frogs, and The Constitution of Athens by the “Old Oligarch.”
· Abridged translations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, The Homeric Hymn to Hermes, and Plutarch’s Life of Tiberius Gracchus.
· Selections from Hesiod and Lucian; from twenty-eight lyric poets including Sappho, Pindar, and Meleagar; from the histories of Herodotus and Thucydides; and from eight Attic orators, including Isocrates and Demosthenes.
· Selections from the scientific writings of Hippocrates, Archimedes, and Galen.
· Selections from the pre-Socratic philosophers and from Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and Epictetus.

Genres: Classics

446 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 1959

Reviews

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want the real skinny on Greek and Roman literature?

This book was written for the Liberal Studies of the University of Wisconsin. In 1599 in Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, Casca states "... for mine own part, it was Greek to Me." that is how a lot of people see classics like "The Iliad of Homer."

Even the translations leave something to be desired for a person who does not have the context and prefers modern idioms. This way one does not miss out on the rich classical world (the painless way.)

I bought this book for a different view of Homer. Then I found this a good companion to many other books in my library. If you do not buy the originals this is a good overview.