I've always considered it my dream retirement project to translate Homer into Classical Chinese. But to do that I will need to learn Homeric Greek and Classical Chinese first.
What about Stanley Lombardo’s translation? That’s the version I read and fell in love with in college. I would say it’s the easiest translation to read overall.
Highly recommend. It gets dismissed because it’s not a “serious” translation, but it is highly readable and is the one I would recommend to most people starting out. It’s basically the NIV / NLT of Odyssey translations.
I actually really enjoyed Fitzgerald’s translation. Fitzgerald’s Iliad was very hard but actually both books worth it. It reminded me of Paradise Lost. Fitzgerald has a Miltonic grandeur. It’s difficult but once mastered, very beautiful.
If you speak almost any other language, the best recommendation is actually to avoid English translations entirely. Unfortunately, modern English just doesn't pair well with the structure and rhythm of Ancient Greek poetry.
I don't speak French, so I can't recommend a specific translation. French definitely doesn't work perfectly with Homeric hexameter because of the fixed stress, but there might be good adaptations.
Cracking up at the experts for your "12 Week Study of the Odyssey": A "professor" of political philosophy at an unaccredited university (lol), a professor of political science, a professor of English, a professor of humanities (PhD in politics, I'm noticing a pattern here), a professor of English and humanities, a clergyman with an educational background almost exclusively in theology (I'm sure the law degree entailed several classes on Epic Greek), and a professor of political science. Didn't occur to you to try getting an actual Classicist or Homeric scholar? No worries, I'm sure having an actual expert on Homer and the Greek language is completely irrelevant to a coherent understanding of the Odyssey. Seems to me you're serving an ideology first and Homer second :)
Ascend found a good group of scholars who love Homer and take seriously the lessons he has to offer us. No need to make assumptions. All the podcasts and videos are posted for review. It is a good series and does a lot to appreciate Homer as a fountainhead of Western culture.
Do you think Chapman is more popular than the 5 listed? It does not seem to be referenced near as often. Certainly could have listed Pope, it is an important work in its own right.
The way I got back into it is the National Geographic Greeking Out podcast for kids that I listened to with my young grandsons while I drove them to school! It was required in high school for me but i recalled bits and pieces and had no interest until Nat Geo explained it for kids! We followed up with books that also contained stories across a wide diversity of cultures.
I've always considered it my dream retirement project to translate Homer into Classical Chinese. But to do that I will need to learn Homeric Greek and Classical Chinese first.
I've got E.V. Rieu.
I recently purchased a copy of Homer's The Odyssey translated by Daniel Mendelsohn, Chicago Press 2025.
Never having read The Odyssey, this translation will be my first attempt.
Any opinions of this translation would be greatly appreciated.
Not terribly familiar but he's very active on X about his translation. He has a few YouTube videos commenting on this approach.
What about Stanley Lombardo’s translation? That’s the version I read and fell in love with in college. I would say it’s the easiest translation to read overall.
Not as familiar, it does not seem referenced as often. Glad you enjoyed it!
Highly recommend. It gets dismissed because it’s not a “serious” translation, but it is highly readable and is the one I would recommend to most people starting out. It’s basically the NIV / NLT of Odyssey translations.
Very helpful! I am pleased that I started with Fagles. I am really enjoying following along with the podcast too.
Good work!
My thoughts on Odyssey !
https://ghazibenahmed.substack.com/p/christopher-nolans-the-odyssey-when?r=4ukxmm&utm_medium=ios
I actually really enjoyed Fitzgerald’s translation. Fitzgerald’s Iliad was very hard but actually both books worth it. It reminded me of Paradise Lost. Fitzgerald has a Miltonic grandeur. It’s difficult but once mastered, very beautiful.
Man I will begin my journey next year into reading the Odyssey.
If you speak almost any other language, the best recommendation is actually to avoid English translations entirely. Unfortunately, modern English just doesn't pair well with the structure and rhythm of Ancient Greek poetry.
Would you be some recommendations in other languages then?
Got a rec for French? TIA
I don't speak French, so I can't recommend a specific translation. French definitely doesn't work perfectly with Homeric hexameter because of the fixed stress, but there might be good adaptations.
Cracking up at the experts for your "12 Week Study of the Odyssey": A "professor" of political philosophy at an unaccredited university (lol), a professor of political science, a professor of English, a professor of humanities (PhD in politics, I'm noticing a pattern here), a professor of English and humanities, a clergyman with an educational background almost exclusively in theology (I'm sure the law degree entailed several classes on Epic Greek), and a professor of political science. Didn't occur to you to try getting an actual Classicist or Homeric scholar? No worries, I'm sure having an actual expert on Homer and the Greek language is completely irrelevant to a coherent understanding of the Odyssey. Seems to me you're serving an ideology first and Homer second :)
Ascend found a good group of scholars who love Homer and take seriously the lessons he has to offer us. No need to make assumptions. All the podcasts and videos are posted for review. It is a good series and does a lot to appreciate Homer as a fountainhead of Western culture.
Emily Wilson
The version I got on Audible (an Illiad/Odyssey combo) a few years ago lists W.H.D. Rouse as the translator. Any thoughts on him?
what about Stephen Fry's retelling? gets one familiar with the story when you've never read or know the story before
To fail to include either Chapman or Pope does Homer and your readers a disservice
Do you think Chapman is more popular than the 5 listed? It does not seem to be referenced near as often. Certainly could have listed Pope, it is an important work in its own right.
https://theclearview.substack.com/p/the-homer-oracle
The way I got back into it is the National Geographic Greeking Out podcast for kids that I listened to with my young grandsons while I drove them to school! It was required in high school for me but i recalled bits and pieces and had no interest until Nat Geo explained it for kids! We followed up with books that also contained stories across a wide diversity of cultures.