The Theogony, Work, and Days, and The Shield of Heracles

Paperback, 69 pages

English language

Published Jan. 1, 2008 by Digireads.com Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-1-4209-3074-0

(1 review)

[from back cover] Contained in this volume are the three best known works of the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Hesiod's The Theogony concerns the origins of the world and of the gods and forms a foundation for all Greek mythology. In Works and Days, Hesiod argues that labor is a fundamental condition of human existence and to those who are willing to work success will be most surely achieved. Additionally in this volume is The Shield of Heracles in which is described the conflict between Heracles and Cycnus while passing near Itonus. Presented here is the Hugh G. Evelyn-White translation of three important works that are generally attributed to Hesiod.

1 edition

knordstrom reviewed The Theogony, Work, and Days, and The Shield of Heracles by Hugh G. Evelyn-White

A Classic translation of Historically Important Stories

5 stars

Giving this book a 5 star review as who am I to say anything negative against stories well over 2 thousand years old and a translation that is approximately 100 years old now, that is considered seminal. And the book does provide an amazing insight into the Greeks life and philosophy.

Both The Theogony and Work and Days are very academic, the first being a long list of the Greek Gods and their origin and relation of one to another and the later being best practices for farming which would obviously be important for the ancient society and a great interest to scholars but not the most interesting to read. The Shield of Heracles is by far the closest to an actually story and is written in a very entertaining and engaging way, however it is also the shortest story at around 10 pages.

However my recommendation would be if …

Giving this book a 5 star review as who am I to say anything negative against stories well over 2 thousand years old and a translation that is approximately 100 years old now, that is considered seminal. And the book does provide an amazing insight into the Greeks life and philosophy.

Both The Theogony and Work and Days are very academic, the first being a long list of the Greek Gods and their origin and relation of one to another and the later being best practices for farming which would obviously be important for the ancient society and a great interest to scholars but not the most interesting to read. The Shield of Heracles is by far the closest to an actually story and is written in a very entertaining and engaging way, however it is also the shortest story at around 10 pages.

However my recommendation would be if you want to learn about ancient Greeks, then get a more modern translation which will probably do a far better job keep the attention of a modern audience and have better footnotes. And maybe something that's not so academically focused.

If however you want to read this translation for it's historical nature then this book from digireads if probably just fine but as the original translation is an out of copyright work you could probably find a free version online somewhere much easier (and cheaper).

Disclaimer: I got this book free from going out of business sale and I effectively didn't have to pay anything for the hardcopy. Otherwise I tend to avoid reprints like this and will get them from site like Project Gutenberg.

Subjects

Classics
Greek
Mythology
Literature
Philosophy