Greek Lyrics, Second Edition: More than a Hundred Poems and Poetic Fragments from the Great Age of Greek Lyric Poetry

The translation is extremely poor.

It fails to convey the true meaning and essence of the original text accurately.

The words and phrases used seem to be randomly chosen without considering the context or the intended message.

As a result, the translated version is difficult to understand and makes little sense.

This kind of poor translation can cause confusion and miscommunication, especially when it comes to important documents or information.

It is essential to have a good translator who has a deep understanding of both the source and target languages, as well as the relevant subject matter.

Only then can we expect a high-quality translation that accurately reflects the original text and serves its intended purpose.

So, sometimes having a home library makes reading more complicated.

I was completely entranced while reading Lattimore’s translations of Greek Lyric poetry. I thought to myself, what a wonderful and felicitous combination of the original poets and the 20th century translator. And how contemporary many of these poems truly are. The emotions of love, lust, revenge, fear, patriotism, and uncertainty are all very fresh and palpable. The thoughts on the balance of power among men, gods, and destiny, and what happens to an individual are varied and extremely helpful when reading other Greek literature.

Archilochus especially appealed to me. He was a mercenary from the island of Paros and, at the same time, an eminent poet, the first one we know after Homer. Even though we know only fragments of his work, sometimes just a word or two found on the waste paper used to wrap up Egyptian mummies centuries later. But his contemporaries knew him as a highly skilled poet and also as a ruthless satirist.

So it occurred to me that I had purchased, many years ago, a book of Archilochus translations by Guy Davenport that I had never read. Well, an hour later, in comparison, Lattimore suddenly seemed rather wordy. As in three or four times the words of Davenport, and significantly more descriptive.

Lattimore’s seven lines are as follows:

Heart, my heart, so battered with misfortune far beyond your strength, Up, and face the men who hate us. Bare your chest to the assault Of the enemy, and fight them off. Stand fast among the beamlike spears. Give no ground; and if you beat them, do not brag in open show, Nor, if they beat you, run home and lie down on your bed and cry. Keep some measure in the joy you take in luck, and the degree You give way to sorrow. All our life is up-and-down like this.

Davenport’s eleven lines are:

Soul, soul, Torn by perplexity, On your feet now! Throw forward your chest To the enemy; Keep close in the attack; Move back not an inch. But never crow in victory, Nor mope hang-dog in loss. Overdo neither sorrow nor joy: A measured motion governs man.

Moreover, in some cases they understood a poem in almost opposite ways. For example, Lattimore’s:

Glaukos, a soldier of fortune’s your friend as long as he’s fighting.

Davenport’s:

Keep a mercenary for a friend Glaukos, to stand by in battle.

A reviewer of Davenport’s book suggested Barnstone’s translations, where I found:

Glaukos, soldier of fortune, will be your friend Until he begins to fight.

Now I had three different readings. I went back and forth. Sometimes one had the most potent version, although it might not be the most literal.

Barnstone’s:

The vessel wavered on the cutting edge Between the stormwinds and the waves.

Davenport’s, much more appealing:

Decks awash, Mast-top dipping, And all Balanced on the keen edge Now of the wind’s sword, Now of the wave’s blade.

Sometimes Lattimore was truly breath-taking:

Such is the passion for love that has twisted its way beneath my heartstrings And closed deep mist across my eyes Stealing the soft heart from inside my body…

Or

Here I lie mournful with desire, Feeble in bitterness of the pain gods inflicted upon me, Stuck through the bones with love.

Then I began to think, perhaps a Greek would have brought so much mental culture to reading or hearing Archilochus that Lattimore is closer to how a Greek would have understood the poems. Or maybe Davenport, despite Hugh Kenner’s introduction and his own claims in the translator’s note, was going too far out on the contemporary limb. He certainly doesn’t mention any other versions as influences, although Lattimore published only a few years before he did. Kenner claims, in fact, that it is only now that we can appreciate Archilochos (their spelling) because we are finally able to appreciate random parts and fragments of larger things as ‘found objects’ and works of art in themselves. But how can we really know? If anyone has any insights to share, please comment! I ended up still thinking that Lattimore’s are beautiful poems.

There are many more fine poets in this anthology. Sappho, of course, Pindar, Solon, but many I had never even heard of. With few exceptions, all we have from these poets are just a few pieces or fragments. I had initially rejected Pindar based on being left cold by his athlete odes, but the works here are truly wonderful. Also, a comparison of Lattimore’s Sappho with Mary Barnard’s suggests the same verbose/terse difference as with Archilochus. (All following translations by Lattimore.)

Consider Solon:

This city of ours will never be destroyed by the planning of Zeus, nor according to the wish of the immortal gods; such is she who, great hearted, mightily fathered, protects us, Pallas Athene, who hands are stretched out over our heads. But the citizens themselves in their wildness are bent on destruction Of their great city, and money is the compulsive cause. The leaders of the people are evil-minded. The next stage Will be great suffering, recompense for their violent acts, For they do not know enough to restrain their greed and apportion Orderly shares for all as if at a decorous feast.

Xenophanes argues in a nice (but too long for here) poem that the poet should get the glory and respect currently showered on Olympic athletes.

Pindar:

But he who sits among the peaks and the golden snows of Olympos, Zeus, gods’ guard, had no heart To break destiny…

And

O shining and wreathed in violets, city of singing, stanchion of Hellas, glorious Athens, citadel full of divinity.

And

O Thrasyboúlos, I send this gear of racing and lovely songs to you for the end of your revels. So may you share it with them who drink beside you… at that time of night when the troublesome cares of humanity drift from our hearts and on seas of luxury streaming in gold we swim together, and make for a shore that is nowhere…

And so I suggest unearthing this out of print volume and reading it with a glass of wine in your other hand, or reading stanzas aloud to a friend or spouse. Then read the other versions, and enjoy all of them, because a good poem has many readings, and one of the pleasures of translation is hearing from two artists, the author and the translator.

Those who follow my reviews know I just finished Edward Gibbon’s autobiography. In it, he says the most powerful method by which he taught himself Greek and Latin was to translate the original into English, lay his work aside for a while, then translate his English version back into Greek or Latin and compare it to the original. Over time, he got better and better at adhering closely to the original. I would love to have his translations of these fragments!

An enchanting book of ancient Greek poems and lyrics awaits you! Lattimore's translation is truly excellent and highly readable. It brings to life the beauty and charm of the ancient Greek language and culture. With his masterful translation, you can easily immerse yourself in the world of ancient Greek poetry and experience the emotions and thoughts of the poets. The book is a treasure trove of literary gems, filled with vivid imagery, powerful emotions, and profound insights. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply interested in ancient history and culture, this book is a must-read. It will transport you to a bygone era and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the art and literature of ancient Greece.

Lattimore does his usual superb job here.

His performance is truly outstanding and remarkable. He shows great skill and expertise in whatever task he undertakes. Whether it's in the field of work, sports, or any other area, Lattimore always manages to shine and stand out from the crowd.

His attention to detail, determination, and hard work are the key factors that contribute to his success. People around him are always amazed by his abilities and achievements.

He is a role model for many, inspiring others to strive for excellence and reach for their goals. Lattimore's superb job here is just another example of his consistent high level of performance and his ability to make a positive impact wherever he goes.

So many great works are in here.

However, this particular one is truly memorable for me as it was my introduction to Sappho.

I vividly remember the moment when I first encountered her words.

Since then, I have developed a deep and abiding love for reading her poetry.

Sappho's words have a unique charm and power that draw me in every time.

Her ability to express complex emotions and ideas with such simplicity and elegance is truly remarkable.

Even after all these years, her works continue to inspire and move me.

I am constantly amazed by the beauty and depth of her poetry.

It is a joy to explore her words and discover new meanings and interpretations with each reading.

Sappho will always hold a special place in my heart as one of the greatest poets of all time.

I truly love the way the poems in this collection vividly demonstrate that the ancient Greek writers had a plethora of concerns and thoughts that are strikingly similar to ours in the present day. There are the universal issues of love, which has always been a central theme in human existence, binding people together in various ways. Life, with all its joys and sorrows, was also a matter of great significance to them, just as it is to us. Death, that inevitable end, was contemplated and explored. Society, with its complex structures and interactions, was another area of interest. Goodness and greed, the two opposing forces within human nature, were also delved into.

However, I can't help but wish that more than just these short fragments were accessible to us. It would be wonderful to have a more comprehensive understanding of the ancient Greek mindset through their complete works. Additionally, I yearn to know all of the names and places that the poems allude to. This knowledge would provide a deeper context and enhance our appreciation of these ancient literary treasures.

I thoroughly enjoyed this concise volume of Greek verse.

It offers a unique glimpse into the rich and vibrant world of ancient Greece.

However, it is highly recommended that one masters some classical Greek history before delving into this book.

By having a good understanding of the historical context, readers can better appreciate and put the verses in perspective.

This knowledge allows for a deeper exploration of the themes, emotions, and cultural significance embedded within the poetry.

It enriches the reading experience and enables a more profound connection with the ancient Greek civilization.

Overall, this slim book of Greek verse is a wonderful literary treasure that rewards those who approach it with both an open mind and a foundation in classical Greek history.

Included here are over a hundred poems and poetic fragments. They are from thirty Greek lyric poets of antiquity, as well as some anonymous verse. This collection spans from the 7th to the 5th Century. It's a slim book, only 82 pages in paperback.

Almost all of the above survive only in fragments. These fragments are found in pot shards, scraps of papyrus used to wrap mummies, and quotations by grammarians and others. The most notable poets, or at least those I’ve heard mentioned and seen anthologized elsewhere, are: Archilochos of Paros, Solon (the legendary statesman of Athens), Alcman of Sparta, Stesichorus of Hemera, Ibycus of Rhegium, Alcaeus of Mytilene, Anakreon of Teos (who is supposed to have influenced Aeschylus), Simonides of Ceos (to whom the famous epitaph for Sparta’s 400 who fell at Thermopylae is ascribed), Bacchylides of Ceos, Pindar of Thebes (famous for his Olympic Victory Odes), and Sappho of Lesbos, Praxilla of Sicyon and Corinna of Tanagra, notable woman poets.

Among the poets represented, I regret most all we’ve lost by Archilochos and Sappho. Both of them, despite the fragmentary nature of what survived, come through as personalities and amazing poets, in what couldn't be a wider contrast. Archilochos was a mercenary with what has been called a "nettle tongue." There was a legend that wasps hovered over his grave. In a translation of his poems by Davenport, I could definitely see the soldier, often biting, crude, lewd, blunt. That wasn’t as apparent in this edition by Lattimore. Sappho is the great lyric poet of antiquity. Plato called her the "tenth muse." She's Archilochos' opposite pole, vernal, refined, but like him at times frank in speaking of desire. Her poems were preserved until nearly A.D 1000, at least according to A Book of Woman Poets, "when a wrathful church destroyed whatever it could find. In 1073 her writings were publicly burned in Rome and Constantinople by order of Pope Gregory VIII." Otherwise, I find it valuable to have collected in one place such a wide range of the notable Greek poets and I appreciate the introductions to each poet. Not knowing Greek, it’s hard for me to judge the translations, except that I’ve seen renderings of the famous epitaph to the Spartans and of Sappho and Archilochos that I’ve liked better. But perhaps these are truer, I can’t know. I do know I didn't much like the Lattimore translation of Homer I encountered in high school and it took Robert Fitzgerald's translation for it to catch fire with me.