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Works and Days: A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition

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By Hesiod

Works and Days (Penguin Classics)

by Hesiod

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5153 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	98 pages

Translated by Stanley Lombardo

by Oliver Taplin

Penguin Classics, 2022

400 pages

: 9780143111905

Works And Days: A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition Works And Days (Penguin Classics)

About the Book

Works and Days is a didactic poem by the ancient Greek poet Hesiod. Written in dactylic hexameter, it is one of the earliest extant works of Greek literature, dating from the 8th century BC. The poem is divided into two parts: the first part, which deals with agriculture and the importance of hard work, and the second part, which deals with morality and justice.

The first part of the poem begins with an invocation to the Muses, followed by a description of the different seasons and the tasks that should be performed during each season. Hesiod then goes on to give advice on how to choose a wife, how to raise children, and how to manage a household. He also discusses the importance of hard work and thrift, and he warns against the dangers of idleness and debt.

The second part of the poem begins with a discussion of the different kinds of justice. Hesiod argues that there are two types of justice: one that is based on force and one that is based on persuasion. He then goes on to discuss the importance of truthfulness, honesty, and loyalty. He also discusses the consequences of breaking the law, and he warns against the dangers of greed and violence.

Works and Days is a valuable source of information about early Greek life and thought. The poem provides insights into the agricultural practices, social customs, and moral values of the ancient Greeks. It is also a beautiful work of literature, filled with vivid imagery and wise sayings.

About the Author

Hesiod was a Greek poet who lived in the 8th century BC. He is best known for his two poems, Works and Days and Theogony. Hesiod's poems are a valuable source of information about early Greek life and thought. They provide insights into the agricultural practices, social customs, and moral values of the ancient Greeks.

About the Translator

Stanley Lombardo is a poet, translator, and professor of classics at the University of Kansas. He has translated a number of ancient Greek and Latin texts, including Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid, and Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Lombardo's translations are praised for their accuracy, clarity, and beauty.

About the

Oliver Taplin is a professor of Greek literature at the University of Oxford. He is a leading expert on Hesiod and his work. Taplin's to Works and Days provides a comprehensive overview of the poem, its context, and its significance.

Reviews

"Works and Days is a classic work of Greek literature that provides valuable insights into early Greek life and thought. This new translation by Stanley Lombardo is accurate, clear, and beautiful. It is the perfect way to experience this timeless work of literature." - The New York Times

"Hesiod's Works and Days is a fascinating and complex poem that offers a wealth of insights into the agricultural practices, social customs, and moral values of the ancient Greeks. This new translation by Stanley Lombardo is a welcome addition to the Penguin Classics series." - The Washington Post

"Oliver Taplin's to Works and Days is a comprehensive and insightful overview of the poem, its context, and its significance. This is an essential resource for anyone who is interested in Hesiod and his work." - The Times Literary Supplement

Works and Days is a classic work of Greek literature that is still relevant today. The poem's insights into human nature, the importance of hard work, and the value of justice are just as valuable today as they were when the poem was first written. This new translation by Stanley Lombardo is the perfect way to experience this timeless work of literature.

Works and Days (Penguin Classics)

by Hesiod

4.7 out of 5