Homer the Preclassic considers the development of the Homeric poems-in particular the Iliad and Odyssey-during the time when they were still part of the oral tradition. Gregory Nagy traces the evolution of rival “Homers” and the different versions of Homeric poetry in this pretextual period, reconstructed over a time frame extending back from the sixth century BCE to the Bronze Age. Accurate in their linguistic detail and surprising in their implications, Nagy's insights conjure the Greeks' nostalgia for the imagined “epic space” of Troy and for the resonances and distortions this mythic past provided to the various Greek constituencies for whom the Homeric poems were so central and definitive.

This book is about the reception of Homeric poetry from the fifth through the first century BCE. The aim of this book, which centers on ancient concepts of Homer as the author of a body of poetry that we know as the Iliad and the Odyssey, is to show how Homer's work became a classic in the days of the Athenian empire and later.

This book contains one of the most famous literary works in history, "The Odyssey" rendered into beautiful English prose. There can be, however, it appears, no final English translation of Homer. In each there must be, in addition to what is Greek and eternal, the element of what is modern, personal, and fleeting. A prose translation cannot give the movement and the fire of a successful translation in verse; it only gathers, as it were, the crumbs which fall from the richer table, only tells the story, without the song. Yet to a prose translation is permitted, perhaps, that close adherence to the archaisms of the epic, which in verse become mere oddities.

Sir Steven Runciman explores the First Crusade and the foundation of the kingdom of Jerusalem.

This book examines the overall testimony of Plato as an expert about the cultural legacy of these Homeric performances. Plato's fine ear for language--in this case the technical language of high-class artisans like rhapsodes--picks up on a variety of authentic expressions that echo the talk of rhapsodes as they once practiced their art.

The Iliad and The Odyssey are two epic poems from Ancient Greece which have become cornerstones of Western literature. This stunning jacketed hardback brings together these two works in an accessible prose translation, ideal for those wanting to be thrown into the action of these thrilling tales In The Iliad, the Greek's best warrior Achilles has abandoned the war with the Trojans on a mission of revenge. Only the death of his best friend Patroclus persuades Achilles to return to battle and confront the Trojan leader Hector in single combat. The Odyssey is set after the Trojan War as Odysseus sets off on his ten-year journey home to Ithica. Filled with fallible gods and foolhardy heroes, these two classic tales offer incredible insight into ancient Greek mythology and culture, as well as being thrilling reads. ABOUT THE SERIES: The World Classics Library series gathers together the works of authors and philosophers whose ideas have stood the test of time. Perfect for bibliophiles, these gorgeous jacketed hardbacks are a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.