[B-Greek] studying Homeric Greek
George F. Somsel
gfsomsel at juno.com
Sat Aug 14 15:02:34 EDT 2004
On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 13:17:33 -0500 Steven Lo Vullo <slovullo at mac.com>
writes:
> On Aug 14, 2004, at 12:42 PM, R Yochanan Bitan Buth wrote:
>
> > RB: You will want a text, of which their are many, and a
> commentary for
> > Occasional reference. I say 'occasional' because I recommend
> > reading
> > For exposure rather than chasing an obscurity, of which there
> are a
> > Never-ending well.
>
> I forgot to mention that I also have the two volumes of the Iliad
> and
> the two of the Odyssey from the Loeb series with translation and
> notes
> by Murray, so I'm all set there. I also have translations by Fagles,
>
> Fitzgerald, and Rouse, which have varying degrees of commentary. Can
>
> you recommend a good commentary that is in print?
>
> > RB: Homer was part of the training of Greek literacy throughout
> Greek
> > And European history.
>
> Yes, it is pointed out that the idea of starting with Homer is not
> new:
> "This was the regular method employed by the old Romans in teaching
>
> their boys Greek, and it was highly commended by that capable and
> judicious schoolmaster, Quintilian, as the best possible plan. Since
>
> that time it has been used now and then by some of the world's
> ablest
> educators and scholars." He then goes on to list many throughout
> history who have used this plan with good success.
>
> > Pfarr has a good pedigree there. Personally,
> > I would recommend specializing in the language and dialect of
> > Interest. Homer can be read in parallel. Thus, if NT is a
> focus I
> > Would recommend Josephus, Epictetus and Plutarch, plus papyri,
> as
> > More fruitful than Homer. Homer is unsurpassed, though, in
> > providing
> > An entertaining experience in the history of the Greek
> language.
>
> I agree. But at the same time I want to be able to read more widely,
>
> primarily for enjoyment, but also to acquire a better understanding
> of
> the development of the Greek language and variety of Greek
> literature.
>
> Thanks very much for your input, Randall.
> ============
>
> Steven Lo Vullo
> Madison, WI
>
> ---
I haven't checked to see whether it is or is not in print, but there is
an online commentary to the Iliad (which is linked to the Perseus text).
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0
056
george
gfsomsel
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