An excellent book.

However, I've been guilty of only reading it in between other books.

It's as if this wonderful piece of literature has been pushed to the sidelines, getting only scraps of my attention.

I find myself constantly distracted by the numerous other books on my shelf, always eager to explore the next new story.

But this particular book deserves so much more.

It has the power to transport me to different worlds, make me feel a range of emotions, and expand my knowledge and understanding.

Yet, I continue to neglect it, dipping in and out only when I have a spare moment.

I need to make a conscious effort to give this book the time and attention it truly deserves.

To sit down, lose myself in its pages, and let it work its magic.

Only then will I be able to fully appreciate the beauty and value that lies within.

Disappointing...

This single word can carry a great deal of weight and emotion. It often describes a situation where our expectations have not been met.

Perhaps we were looking forward to a special event, only to find that it fell short of our hopes. Maybe we had high expectations for a product or service, but it failed to deliver.

Disappointment can leave us feeling let down, frustrated, and even a little bit sad. It can make us question our decisions and wonder if we could have done something differently.

However, it's important to remember that disappointment is a natural part of life. We can't always get what we want, and sometimes things don't work out the way we planned.

When we experience disappointment, it's important to allow ourselves to feel the emotions that come with it. But we also need to try to move forward and learn from the experience.

Maybe next time, we can set more realistic expectations or take steps to ensure that we get the outcome we desire. And who knows, maybe the next time we face a similar situation, we'll be pleasantly surprised instead of disappointed.

For the first time since I started my project at the turn of the year, I came across a book that wasn't worth it at all. Not even a little bit. Basically, the book consists of 44 poems that are "praises" to the victories of some athletes participating in Greek sports games. It's true that the translation I read was old and very difficult to follow. However, the overly dramatic flourishes combined with the invocations of Olympic myths to add weight and importance to the sports victories were extremely boring.

To be fair, the importance of physical and sports excellence for the Greeks is well established, and this book successfully reinforces this Hellenic characteristic. But, at least for me, it wasn't enough to make the reading worthwhile.

I had high hopes for this book, thinking it would offer unique insights into the world of ancient Greek sports and the mindset of the athletes. However, the excessive use of flowery language and the constant references to myths made it feel more like a tiresome exercise in glorification rather than a meaningful exploration of the subject.

Perhaps if the translation had been more modern and accessible, or if the author had taken a different approach to presenting the material, my opinion might have been different. But as it stands, this is one book that I would not recommend to others.

Maybe it's because I read a prose translation, or perhaps it's because I simply don't pay enough attention to the era.

However, to be honest, I truly don't think any of this is especially remarkable or worthy of notice.

It seems that the details and nuances that might have been significant in the original context have been lost in translation or have failed to capture my interest.

Perhaps I need to approach it from a different perspective or do more research to understand the historical and cultural background better.

Nevertheless, for now, I can't help but feel a bit disappointed that I haven't been able to fully appreciate the value of what I've read.

Maybe with time and further exploration, my opinion will change, but for the moment, this is how I feel.

Pindar is possibly the greatest poet to have ever lived.

He had a profound influence on our ideology of sport.

Moreover, he nearly single-handedly created the unified kingdom of Rhodes. In Rhodes, the relevant poem was inscribed in gold on the central temple.

His control of language is simply unsurpassed. He was able to use words in a way that no other poet could. His poetry was not only beautiful but also had a deep meaning.

It inspired people to be better and to strive for excellence. Pindar's works have stood the test of time and are still studied and admired today.

He is truly a remarkable figure in the history of literature and a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Pindar is notoriously hard to understand, and now I truly comprehend what this means.

The reason for his difficulty lies in the fact that his poetry is extremely distant from us in every aspect. (After all, who is writing victory songs in the same vein today?) It is not intuitive at all. At first glance, it appears to have no discernible structure and is deeply imbued with religious themes.

Before delving into Pindar, one should at least read a comprehensive introduction and perhaps obtain a detailed commentary. Without this preparatory work, one will surely become hopelessly lost. (My particular edition could have benefited from many more explanatory notes.) However, if one invests the necessary effort, the reward will be beautiful poetry and one of the most sublime conceptions of humanity. Pindar truly has the potential to shine brightly. I am determined to reread him in the near future.

The translation seemed to be quite excellent, at least based on what I could glean from the original. (Pindar's Greek is incredibly challenging.)

In conclusion, Pindar is a difficult poet to approach and can be rather intimidating. It is not an easy task to recommend him without caveats.

I'm truly glad that I have read these materials. However, they present quite a challenge. This is due to the difficult syntax employed and the numerous references made to various figures within Greek history. Most of these references are likely to be lost on modern readers, as they may not have the in-depth knowledge or background to fully understand them.

Nevertheless, after pairing this with Helene Guerber's "The Story of the Greeks", I have started to feel a sense of progress. It's as if I'm beginning to groove into a more genuine context for ancient Greece and its many legendary figures. The combination of these two sources seems to be providing a more comprehensive and understandable picture, helping me to better appreciate and make sense of the rich and complex history of ancient Greece.

In the realm of sports, athletes strive for glory and victory, much like the heroes of Greek mythology.

These modern-day champions, like the demigods of old, display remarkable strength, courage, and determination in the Olympic style games.

Just as Achilles was renowned for his prowess on the battlefield, today's athletes shine on the athletic field, defying the odds and achieving feats that seem almost superhuman.

Despite the chaos and turmoil of recent events, such as wars that have disrupted lives and communities, these athletes continue to inspire us with their unwavering spirit.

Their victories are not only a source of pride for themselves and their countries but also a symbol of hope and unity in a world that often seems divided.

Although the subject matter may be obscure to some, the beauty and power of their achievements are undeniable.

We should celebrate these athletes and their remarkable accomplishments, for they are the true heroes of our time.

In terms of entertainment or enjoyment, this book was a total burden,

even though it is short. It read like the least decipherable parts of the Iliad,

with name after name after endless unpronounceable names,

and without any gore to hold my attention.

These are supposed to be the odes Pindar wrote for the victorious at various games,

such as Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, and Isthmia.

Without referring to the book's notes and Wikipedia, this would have been incomprehensible.

Having said that, true Greekheads (which I am not at this point)

who have a context for everything Pindar is talking about would enjoy this more.

There were pieces of phrasing I loved and references to Homeric and other mythological episodes,

such as Jason and the Argonauts, for instance, that I'm familiar with,

so that was nice. But those references were generally thrown in without any kind of framing,

so again the context problem for the average person.

Obviously good enough to warrant the three stars I'm giving it,

but experienced more as a two star book because I was often too lazy to consult Wikipedia or the book's notes.

Overall, it was a challenging read that required a lot of effort to understand,

but there were some redeeming qualities for those who are willing to put in the work.

Difficult reading, but interesting subject, his Odes for the victors at Olympic Games.

His Odes for the victors at Olympic Games present a challenging yet captivating topic. The language used in these odes may be complex, making it a difficult read for some. However, the subject matter is truly fascinating.

These odes were composed to celebrate the achievements of the victors in the Olympic Games. They offer a unique perspective on the ancient Greek culture and the significance of athletic competitions. Through the study of these odes, we can gain insights into the values, beliefs, and aspirations of the people of that time.

Despite the difficulties in understanding the text, the effort is well worth it. The beauty and elegance of the language, combined with the historical and cultural context, make these odes a truly remarkable piece of literature. They continue to inspire and intrigue readers to this day.

In the modern era, I have discovered that it is rather difficult for me to fully relish the odes.

Nevertheless, I do take great pleasure in the myths that are recounted within the odes. Be it the tales from the Trojan War, those of Herakles, Jason, Orestes, or numerous others.

These myths serve as an excellent means to enhance my comprehension of Greek mythology.

They offer a unique perspective and bring to life the heroic deeds and complex characters of ancient times.

Although the language and style of the odes may seem a bit archaic and challenging at times, the underlying myths have a timeless appeal.

They continue to fascinate and engage me, providing a rich source of inspiration and knowledge.

Exploring these myths through the odes has become an enjoyable and educational experience for me.

It allows me to connect with the past and gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural heritage of the ancient Greeks.

Anyone who can translate Pindar into verses with such fine craftsmanship is truly a genius.

Pindar's works are renowned for their complexity and beauty, and to capture that essence in another language while maintaining the rhythm, meter, and poetic devices is an extremely challenging task.

It requires not only a deep understanding of both the original language and the target language but also a great deal of creativity and literary skill.

Those who are able to achieve this feat are able to bring Pindar's words to life for a new audience, allowing them to experience the power and beauty of his poetry in a whole new way.

Such translations are not only a testament to the translator's genius but also a valuable contribution to the world of literature.