Kevin's Watch

Anybody have a favorite Greek play, epic, history or philosophical work?

My absolute favorite is Thucydides' political history, The Peloponnesian War. As for fiction, Aristophanes is always good for laughs. Not a big Odyssey fan, but the Illiad was interesting. Plato's Republic was pretty entertaining for a philosophical discourse... and the things you learn...

Plato's Republic is a masterpiece.

But perhaps a utopian one?

Still, enjoyed it when I read it. Liked both Illiad and Odessy, and Xenephon's March of the Ten Thousand was pretty good, although it's been so long that I barely remember it.

--Avatar

Avatar wrote:But perhaps a utopian one?

That was the whole idea!

Have not read anything of Xenephon's yet, except in passing as I did research. Have been meaning to pick something up, but with all the other stuff on my list (Runes, Mordant's Need, George R R Martin, You're Stepping on My Cloak and Dagger), it will be a while.

For both there are many versions available any stand out as particularly noteworthy or most true to the original. For example, Barnes and Noble under the publishing wing has a pocketsized hardcover edition that I think is translated by TE Lawrence (AFAIK, he's better known as Lawrence of Arabia)

taraswizard wrote:...translated by TE Lawrence (AFAIK, he's better known as Lawrence of Arabia)

Yep, thats the guy.

--Avatar

Through my study of Thucydides, I've discovered that following multiple tranlastions actually works best for getting the best possible picture of the original meaning. When I wrote my paper on Brasidas, I literally used five different translations, not to mention secondary sources based on still other translators. Now, when I go to read other Greek works, I already have a preference of translator in mind. Now If I only had time to learn the original Greek...