Product Description

Together the poetry of Hesiod and Theognis offers a superb introduction to the life and thought of ancient Greece. Hesiod’s Theogoney (c. 725 BCE) is a powerful creation myth: an epic, bloody tale of dark forces, sex and violence, tracing the history of the world from primeval Chaos to the establishment of Zeus as supreme king of the gods. In contrast, Hesiod’s Works and Days, written to advise his indolent brother Perseus, is an intriguing, sophisticated combination of ethical maxims, social and political comment and superstitious law. Elegiac rather than epic, the works of Theognis - written some two centuries after Hesiod - include theological speculations, love lyrics and moral advice for his protégé Kurnos, reflecting the moods and themes of an aristocratic poet who mourned a changing Greek society.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #217398 in Books
• Published on: 2002-02-27
• Original language: Greek
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

From the Author
I wrote this a while back, and I hope you enjoy it.
Well, after some conjurer brought me back from the dead to ask my why I wrote the Theogony, I ask Zeus to thunderbolt him and send him to Tartarus. Since I am here, now, I will say that my poetry is for enjoyment, pure and simple. I am, incidentally, a better author than Homer, and a much nicer guy. But going back to my comment, Zeus was never all that cruel towards his parents. As a matter of fact, he intends to let his dad Cronos out of Tartarus in a few centuries. Prometheus is another story, however. Anyhow, I made the poem gut-wrenching so you all would like it. I am overjoyed at the honor shown to me by all the printings of my work. Thanks

About the Author
Hesiod is an early Greek poet, whose work gives an insight into the creation myths of Greek society. Theognis, writing c.525 bce, was an aristocrat. Dorothea Wender is a well-know translator.

Customer Reviews

Of Gods & Men
This translation by Dorothea Wender is well set out and easy to read.

Taking the works in order, Wender presents Theogony, Works and Days and the elegiac poetry of Theognis in a clear and concise manner bringing both life and a sense of excitment to the text.

Theognis' elegies are, as Wender herself proclaims, more freely translated. This should not be seen as a distraction; the same vigour evident in Hesiods works is retained in the poetry but the reading is easier because the language is contemporary.

Collected together, the work of Hesiod and Theognis can be viewed as having a common thread; the inconsistency of men and society and the need to trust in the gods. Whilst Hesiods 'Works and Days' gives common sense advice for the farmer, sailor and society, Theognis provides us with maxims and psychological attributes by which to organise our lives. Despite being written perhaps 200 years apart, Theognis' elegies reflect Hesiods words: Hesiod says "Shun evil profit, for dishonest gain is just the same as failure". Theognis echoes this thought with "Possesions come from Zues ... but if a greedy man ... acquires them ... he ends in sorrow."

In summary this book is enjoyable for many reasons; the translation is clear and a joy to read, the morals and observations still have a resonance today and the works are an excellent place for those interested in ancient Greek literature and intellectual thought to start or extend their investigation. Dorothea Wender is here congratulated for her presentation and style in bringing the works to life. An excellent read.

Two thirds great
The first work presented here - Theogony by Hesiod - is actually quite dull, as the translator points out in here excellent introduction. For the most part it consists of the presentation of a list of characters with their place in the creation myths outlined. There is not much poetry here at all. However, all comes good with Works and Days. There is some really interesting poetry here, with Hesiod giving some solid advice to Perseus.

The real joy here though are the Elegies by Theognis. Funny, sombre, pedantic - "Those men are silly fools who mourn the dead/And do not mourn the flower of lost youth."

Who do you think you are?
You'll need a sheet of paper the size of a football pitch to map out Hesiod's family tree of the gods! This edition, however, boats a lively translation supported by a brief and concise introduction and useful explanatory notes. In contrast to Homer, Hesiod's voice and play on the role of the poet is clearly demarcated, particularly in his appeal to his brother Perses in Works and Days. Hesiod appears to be attacking Perses' idleness and lack of ambition. But could Hesiod's attack also be aimed at other sections of his society, those people who seek a life of indolence, dependent on hand outs, with little motivation for social responsibility? Hesiod's obvious attention to a strong work ethic, deeply embedded in the agrarian cycle, espouses a moral responsibility for the individual and his neighbours. Perses does not seem to share his brother's values and principles and is duly criticised. In an interesting passage Hesiod details the need for Perses to conform to social conventions, such as not cutting your finger nails during a feast to the gods, sitting on the graves of children or using a `woman's washing water' to cleanse your body. As in all times (take a look at a tabloid newspaper) gossip is seen as destructive but hard to avoid. For Hesiod `Rumour [a divinity] is a dangerous thing, light and easy to pick up, but hard to support and difficult to get rid of.'

As with many civilisations Hesiod conveys a patriarchal view of divine order and social responsibility. For me there is a widely sexist element to this structure and, alongside, for example, the Bible's Eve, women are seen as harbingers of trouble and strife. For instance in Works and Days Hesiod warns against the `arse-rigged woman [who will] deceive your wits with her wily twitterings when she pokes into your granary; he who believes a woman, believes cheaters.' Similarly the consequences of Prometheus' theft of fire from Zeus is the creation of a woman in the form of Pandora, whose jar (not box) is `unstopped' and all man's ills are released for all eternity, the only exception being Hope which remained `under the lip of the jar.' Hesiod's genealogy and moral framework offers an informative insight into the world of ancient Greece.