Yale Classics - Ancient Greek Literature


Book Description

Yale Classics - Ancient Greek Literature is a landmark anthology that encapsulates the enduring legacy and diverse richness of Ancient Greek literary tradition. This collection presents a significant array of literary styles - from the epic poetry of Homer to the philosophical dialogues of Plato and Aristotle, and the tragic dramas of Sophocles and Euripides. It draws together the seminal works that have not only shaped Western literature but have also laid the groundwork for much of contemporary thought and culture. The inclusion of both widely celebrated and lesser-known pieces affords readers a comprehensive view of the literary prowess and thematic breadth characteristic of Ancient Greek literature, highlighting its exploration of virtues, the human condition, and the pursuit of knowledge. The contributing authors and editors are titans of literature and philosophy, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the anthology's overarching theme. Many of these figures were central to pivotal historical, cultural, and literary movements of their time. The collective contributions of these authors provide a multifaceted glimpse into the ancient world, offering insights into the social, political, and philosophical underpinnings that influenced their works. Through this anthology, readers are invited to traverse various epochs and city-states of Ancient Greece, gaining a deeper understanding of its complex literary heritage. Yale Classics - Ancient Greek Literature is an essential collection for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the depth and diversity of ancient thought and expression. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between different literary forms and themes, from the poetic to the philosophical and the dramatic. This anthology is not only a testament to the intellectual and artistic achievements of its contributors but also an invaluable educational resource. It encourages a dialogue between the past and the present, making it a vital addition to the libraries of scholars, students, and enthusiasts of literature and ancient civilizations alike.




Ancient Greek Athletics


Book Description

Presenting a survey of sports in ancient Greece, this work describes ancient sporting events and games. It considers the role of women and amateurs in ancient athletics, and explores the impact of these games on art, literature and politics.




Learning Latin and Greek from Antiquity to the Present


Book Description

This volume provides a unique overview of the complete histories of Latin and Greek as second languages.




Aristotle's Way


Book Description

From renowned classicist Edith Hall, ARISTOTLE'S WAY is an examination of one of history's greatest philosophers, showing us how to lead happy, fulfilled, and meaningful lives Aristotle was the first philosopher to inquire into subjective happiness, and he understood its essence better and more clearly than anyone since. According to Aristotle, happiness is not about well-being, but instead a lasting state of contentment, which should be the ultimate goal of human life. We become happy through finding a purpose, realizing our potential, and modifying our behavior to become the best version of ourselves. With these objectives in mind, Aristotle developed a humane program for becoming a happy person, which has stood the test of time, comprising much of what today we associate with the good life: meaning, creativity, and positivity. Most importantly, Aristotle understood happiness as available to the vast majority us, but only, crucially, if we decide to apply ourselves to its creation--and he led by example. As Hall writes, "If you believe that the goal of human life is to maximize happiness, then you are a budding Aristotelian." In expert yet vibrant modern language, Hall lays out the crux of Aristotle's thinking, mixing affecting autobiographical anecdotes with a deep wealth of classical learning. For Hall, whose own life has been greatly improved by her understanding of Aristotle, this is an intensely personal subject. She distills his ancient wisdom into ten practical and universal lessons to help us confront life's difficult and crucial moments, summarizing a lifetime of the most rarefied and brilliant scholarship.




Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times


Book Description

"First edition 1996. Updated in 2000 with new suggested readings and illustrations"--Title page verso.




Ancient Anger


Book Description

Anger is found everywhere in the ancient world, starting with the very first word of the Iliad and continuing through all literary genres and every aspect of public and private life. Yet it is only recently, as a variety of disciplines start to devote attention to the history and nature of the emotions, that Classicists, ancient historians and ancient philosophers have begun to study anger in antiquity with the seriousness and attention it deserves. This volume brings together a number of significant studies by authors from different disciplines and countries, on literary, philosophical, medical and political aspects of ancient anger from Homer until the Roman Imperial Period. It studies some of the most important ancient sources and provides a paradigmatic selection of approaches to them, and should stimulate further research on this important subject in a number of fields.




Music and Metamorphosis in Graeco-Roman Thought


Book Description

Examines questions raised, in antiquity and now, by mythical narratives about humans transforming into non-human musical beings.




The Art of Libation in Classical Athens


Book Description

This handsome volume presents an innovative look at the imagery of libations, the most commonly depicted ritual in ancient Greece, and how it engaged viewers in religious performance. In a libation, liquid--water, wine, milk, oil, or honey--was poured from a vessel such as a jug or a bowl onto the ground, an altar, or another surface. Libations were made on occasions like banquets, sacrifices, oath-taking, departures to war, and visitations to tombs, and their iconography provides essential insight into religious and social life in 5th-century BC Athens. Scenes depicting the ritual often involved beholders directly--a statue's gaze might establish the onlooker as a fellow participant, or painted vases could draw parallels between human practices and acts of gods or heroes. Beautifully illustrated with a broad range of examples, including the Caryatids at the Acropolis, the Parthenon Frieze, Attic red-figure pottery, and funerary sculpture, this important book demonstrates the power of Greek art to transcend the boundaries between visual representation and everyday experience.




Classical Art and the Cultures of Greece and Rome


Book Description

An inquiry into the foundations of European culture. The account ranges from the Greek Dark Ages to the Christianisation of Rome, revealing how the experience of a constantly changing physical environment influenced the inhabitants of Ancient Greece and Rome.




Enraged


Book Description

An examination of remedies for violent rage rediscovered in ancient Greek myths Millennia ago, Greek myths exposed the dangers of violent rage and the need for empathy and self-restraint. Homer's Iliad, Euripides' Hecuba, and Sophocles' Ajax show that anger and vengeance destroy perpetrators and victims alike. Composed before and during the ancient Greeks' groundbreaking movement away from autocracy toward more inclusive political participation, these stories offer guidelines for modern efforts to create and maintain civil societies. Emily Katz Anhalt reveals how these three masterworks of classical Greek literature can teach us, as they taught the ancient Greeks, to recognize violent revenge as a marker of illogical thinking and poor leadership. These time-honored texts emphasize the costs of our dangerous penchant for glorifying violent rage and those who would indulge in it. By promoting compassion, rational thought, and debate, Greek myths help to arm us against the tyrants we might serve and the tyrants we might become.