Homeric Hymns

Rating:
Summary: A divine Homeric Hymns
Review: In ancient Greece, a hymn was a song of praise to a god--but it could also tell a rousing story, like the infant Hermes stealing his brother Apollo's cattle, or Aphrodite seducing the Trojan prince Anchises on Mt. Ida.

Professor Susan Shelmerdine's translation of the Homeric Hymns is an ideal introduction to these 33 hymns dedicated to the various Olympian gods. In clear, lively prose, she explains the hymns' literary tradition, myth sources, and forms. In easy-to-access on-the-page footnotes, she explains the relevant background that makes the hymns clear and easy to understand. But what makes her translation first-rate is that the poems are written in a clear, engaging voice that is both true to ancient Greek stylistics and yet sounds as contemporary as today. For example, this description of the abduction of Persephone by Hades:

"But the wide-pathed ground gaped open
along the Plain of Nysa, where the lord who receives many [Hades} sprang out
with his immortal horses, the son of Kronos, worshipped under many names.
He seized her against her will and on his golden chariot
carried her off wailing. And she cried aloud with a shrill voice,
But no one either of the gods or mortal men
heard her cry, not even the olives with their splendid fruit."

In addition, the book provides pictures of the gods taken from ancient Greek art, genealogy charts, and relevant maps. If you are taking a mythology class or just want an authentic introduction to stories of the ancient Greek gods, Susan Shelmerdine's Homeric Hymns is an excellent place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Rendition of The Hymns
Review: Susan Shelmerdine, professor of Greek at UNC Greensboro, indeed does not require her students to purchase her translation, contrary to the idea that at least one would disseminate. Rather, as one who knows classical languages and literature as thoroughly as anyone, she has offered us both a beautiful and an accurate rendition of the Homeric hymns. The copious notes are quite helpful, too. I commend this effort!

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Rendition of The Hymns
Review: Susan Shelmerdine, professor of Greek at UNC Greensboro, indeed does not require her students to purchase her translation, contrary to the idea that at least one would disseminate. Rather, as one who knows classical languages and literature as thoroughly as anyone, she has offered us both a beautiful and an accurate rendition of the Homeric hymns. The copious notes are quite helpful, too. I commend this effort!

Rating:
Summary: There are much better translations out there!
Review: You really should consider other options than this particular translation. The only buyers of this book are the students she requires to buy it. Just something to put on a CV and claim sales that she generated by requiring everyone teaching a mythology course in her department (she is the department head) to put her book on the required reading lists. You're not missing anything at all by saving yourself some money and fine a free copy of the work. After all, it's a few thousand years old and I doubt homer is losing his cut of the proceeds.

Rating:
Summary: There are much better translations out there!
Review: You really should consider other options than this particular translation. The only buyers of this book are the students she requires to buy it. Just something to put on a CV and claim sales that she generated by requiring everyone teaching a mythology course in her department (she is the department head) to put her book on the required reading lists. You're not missing anything at all by saving yourself some money and fine a free copy of the work. After all, it's a few thousand years old and I doubt homer is losing his cut of the proceeds.