A Greek Anthology

This book offers an ideal first reader in ancient Greek for students who have already completed a beginner's course.

9780521000260, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 August 2002

202 pages, 23 b/w illus. 1 map
20.8 x 14.7 x 1 cm, 0.3 kg

' … the book is handsomely produced - carefully proof read, peppered with illustrations, and sensibly priced. It is ideal for intermediate Greek courses where students need to increase reading speed and enhance their familiarity with Greek culture. JACT deserves a pat on the back for such fine work.' The Classical Outlook

This book offers an ideal first reader in ancient Greek. It presents a selection of extracts from a comprehensive range of Greek authors, from Homer to Plutarch, together with generous help with vocabulary and grammar. The passages have been chosen for their intrinsic interest and variety, and brief introductions set them in context. All but the commonest Greek words are glossed as they occur and a general vocabulary is included at the back. Although the book is designed to be used by students who have only completed a beginner's course in Greek, students of all ages will find that it helps them to improve their ability and confidence in reading a wide range of prose and verse texts, while at the same time providing a fascinating and copiously illustrated introduction to the riches and variety of ancient Greek literature over a period of almost a thousand years.

Time chart
Map of the Greek world
1. Homer Iliad: Zeus, fate and the death of Sarpedon
2. Homer Odyssey: Calypso is ordered by the gods to release Odysseus
3. Herodotus The Histories: the battle of Salamis
4. Aeschylus Persians: the battle of Salamis
5. Sophocles Antigone: Antigone confronts Creon
6. Euripides Alcestis: Alcestis' farewell to Admetus
7. Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War: the revolt of Mytilene
8. Sophocles Philoctetes: Neoptolemus tries to persuade Philoctetes
9. Euripides Bacchae: Pentheus and Dionysus
10. Aristophanes Frogs: Dionysus in the underworld
11. Plato Apology of Socrates: Socrates and the nature of death
12. Aristophanes Ecclesiazusae (Assemblywomen): power to women?
13. Xenophon Oeconomicus (The estate manager): the duties of husband and wife
14. Demosthenes On the Crown: news of disaster at Elatea
15. Demosthenes Against Conon: harassment on military service
16. Aristotle Poetics: tragic action and the tragic hero
17. Menander Perikeiromene (The girl with the cut hair): how to get your mistress to forgive you
18. Plutarch Life of Antony: the death of Cleopatra
19. Plutarch On the Decline of Oracles: Great Pan is dead
20. New Testament Acts of the Apostles: St Paul in Athens
Metrical appendix
General vocabulary.

Subject Areas: Literary essays [DNF], Linguistics [CF]