The Greek Classics. Any "easy" reads?

Splottboy

Does anyone know of any idiots " Odyssey " or the " Illiad " by Homer?

I've tried reading the classical version, but it's bloody hard going, so want an easier read.

About 40yrs ago we had a temp teacher in jnr school, who was Greek and she used to tell us all about Jason/Thesseus/Odysseus/Ulysees etc. Great epic stories which have never left me. The basis of all the Marvel/DC Superheroes too. And you thort it was Stan Lee, LOL!

Recently featured in "The Reader" so this has rekindled my interest in these books.
"Clash of the Titans" also in the media. Filmed in N.Wales by the way!

Thanks for any info/advice everyone.

ynyswen24

Have a look for translations by Robert Fagles, I have his translation of The Odyssey in an edition from Penguin and I'd be fairly certain he'll have done The Illiad as well. It was first published in 1996 so is fairly contemporary and certainly more readable than various versions I've seen in the past.
A good book on The Illiad is War Music by Cgristopher Logue, a modern verse retelling of some books of The Illiad and very good indeed.

If it helps I've just gone and got my copy of The Odyssey, its ISBN number is

ISBN-0-14-044822-5

There's a reason Homer's works have survived thousands of years, they're 'frickin great. Doh!

Splottboy

Thanks, fellow Welsh person, I take it!
Just watched, "Clash of the Gods" on Sky plus, about Thor.
Hope the Marvel film is just as good next year.

The classics are great, reason why I went to Greece in late 1970's,
Delos, the most sacred place is a very atmospheric experience, almost religious too.
Strange feeling on the island. Hard to explain...

Was also able to see Anafi from Santorini.Guy in b and b very excited to show us, as it's normally covered in mist from a distance. Think it was raised from the depths by Poseidon to offer shelter to the Argo, according to legend.
Unusual to see it apparently. I feel honoured.

ynyswen24

Dim Problem...

Ray Harryhausen did it for me!

-spider-

Try Herodotus - 'The Histories' or (slightly more difficult to get into) Plato - 'The Republic'

disquieting_museeuws

The Fagles translations are also available as audiobooks which I can recommend. The Odyssey is unabridged & read by Ian McKellen & an abridged Iliad is read by Derek Jacobi.

There are also some nice US copies of Richmond Lattimore's translations of the 2 poems which are easy to get hold of.

I agree with ynyswen on Christopher Logue, 'War Music' is a fantastic reader-friendly adaptation that retains the feel of the original.

For background, Michael Wood's lyrical 1980's TV series 'In Search of the Trojan War' is recently available on DVD, I'd recommend it to anyone at all interested in the subject.

The lovely Bettany Hughes has also made a recent long programme on the subject:

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-ancient-world-with-bettany-hughes/4od

Everything you need is really in Homer, Shakespeare, plus possibly Family Guy!

Splottboy

Hi, are you still after the Discovery stuff?
Sorry for not getting bsck to you, but got whip my kids to download some pics if you still want it.
Regards,
The Boy from Splott!

finchy

Aristophanes is a good laugh even translated into English and separated by 2500 years, especially If you have some general knowledge of Greek society at that time.

bartimaeus

"Black Ships Before Troy" (Iliad) and "The Wanderings of Odysseus" (Odyssey) by Rosemary Sutcliffe, illustrated by Alan Lee.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-Ships-Before-Rosemary-Sutcliff/dp/0711215227
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wanderings-Odysseus-Story-Odyssey/dp/0711218463/ref=pd_sim_b_1

These books are aimed at older children rather than being 'translations' of for adults, but don't let that put you off as they are beautifully written... and you can 'see inside' on Amazon so you know what you are getting.

disquieting_museeuws

Splottboy wrote:

Hi, are you still after the Discovery stuff?
Sorry for not getting bsck to you, but got whip my kids to download some pics if you still want it.
Regards,
The Boy from Splott!

If you're asking me, no idea what you mean I'm afraid (but my memory is pretty bad these days) You did tell me about Simba the Lion, I remember, which was very interesting as it happens.

Splottboy

I thought you posted a request for Discovery top/shorts.
Apologies if it wasn't you.

Yeah, poor old Simba. Bet he's still in that bloody glass case in the Pump room, Penarth rd