Second edition of best-selling one-year introductory course in ancient Greek for students and adults. This volume contains a narrative adapted entirely from ancient authors in order to encourage students rapidly to develop their reading skills. The texts and numerous illustrations also provide a good introduction to Greek culture.

Odes, hymns, and lyrics from many of Greece's most noted classical poets--including Homer, Hesiod, Sappho, Sophocles, and Euripides--are beautifully illustrated here with details of ancient Greek frescoes, vase paintings, and sculptures. Over the centuries, celebrated writers such as George Chapman, Mary Barnard, John Dryden, Alexander Pope, and W. B. Yeats have been inspired to create contemporary translations of these enduring verses. In this volume are their and other modern poets' captivating translations, accompanied by the original Greek text. This lively combination of the poetry and illustrations, along with notes on each poet and on archaeological sites such as Knossos, Akrotiri, Mycenae, Lipari, and Paestum where the Greek art objects in this book were excavated, makes this volume a perfect introduction to Greek verse.