“Muse! be thou mine oracle, and I shall be thine interpreter.” This powerful statement reflects the profound connection between an artist and their source of inspiration. The muse, often seen as a divine or spiritual entity, is called upon to provide guidance and inspiration. In return, the artist vows to translate the muse's whispers and visions into tangible works of art. This relationship is a two-way street, with both the muse and the artist relying on each other. The muse offers the spark of creativity, while the artist shapes and refines that spark into something beautiful and meaningful. It is a partnership that has the potential to produce great works of literature, music, painting, and more. When the muse and the artist are in harmony, magic can happen.

I truly relished the writing style and tone present in these stories. It is simply breathtakingly beautiful. I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. However, it is especially beneficial for those of you who already have a grasp of the basics of Greek Mythology. This prior knowledge will enable you to have a more profound understanding of what the author is expounding upon.

The Muse seems to never abandon that land. For this is the essence of their existence. Everywhere, the girls are engaged in lively dancing. The resounding sound of the harps and the vibrant noise of the flutes fill the air. They adorn their hair with bay leaves of gold, creating a truly enchanting sight. They partake in feasts and exude joy.

Now, he resides beside the Aegis-holder in the most magnificent bliss. The Undying Ones have bestowed upon him the honor befitting one whom they cherish deeply. Youth has become his bride, and he dwells as a prince within golden halls.

I endured grief that was beyond words. But now, the Earth-Holder has bestowed upon me a sense of calm following the storm. I shall adorn my hair with garlands and sing, hoping that the envy of the Immortals will not disrupt my newfound peace.

This work is a compilation of the hymns dedicated to the Olympic winners, outstanding men. It usually investigates the illustrious backgrounds of their families as well as the mythical origins of the city where they live. The best words written by Pindar emerge from works without being specifically in the service of the celebration of a mortal. This is the reason why he became famous. I had to take it up again, to remember the ancient advice that is interspersed among his tributes. What a beautiful and tender concern to send good divine wishes at such a young age. Normally you would expect that from an old man. Beautiful text.

It is truly remarkable how Pindar's hymns manage to capture the essence and glory of the Olympic winners. His words not only praise their athletic achievements but also delve into their personal and family histories. By doing so, he creates a more comprehensive and engaging portrait of these individuals.

The mention of the mythical origins of the city adds an element of mystery and grandeur to the work. It gives the reader a sense of the broader context in which these athletes operate and further emphasizes their significance.

Overall, this compilation of Pindar's hymns is a valuable piece of literature that offers insights into the ancient world and the ideals that were held dear at that time.

This was an excruciating exercise in endurance that was cleverly disguised as poetry.

Pindar’s odes are like a complex labyrinth filled with archaic references, convoluted syntax, and a seemingly endless stream of allusions. To make sense of just half a stanza, one needs an encyclopedic knowledge of mythology, history, and culture.

Even with the help of scholarly commentary and provided formulas, the text remains frustratingly impenetrable. Its overly ornate style seems to suffocate any potential emotional resonance or clarity.

Pindar’s insistence on weaving together mythological digressions and abstract moralizing feels like an elaborate riddle designed to confuse even the most erudite individuals.

I understand that it holds a significant place as a cornerstone of lyric poetry (at least in terms of what has survived). However, its importance doesn't change the fact that reading it is a real slog.

I even went so far as to try singing them to myself, but to no avail. I realize that the experience was likely very different for spectators 2500 years ago.

Out of respect for its historical importance, I’ll begrudgingly give it 3 stars. But as a modern reader, I can say with confidence that this was a deeply unpleasant and esoteric experience. Maybe one day, with a better understanding of Greek mythology and the patience of a saint, I’ll be able to approach it with a more open mind.

Oh dear... Pindar is indeed a tough nut to crack. I resorted to using two translations in an attempt to make my way through his works, but it seems that Pindar presents challenges even to translators. Not only do their poetic styles differ, but the meanings often vary significantly (that is, when I was able to understand the meaning at all).

Pindar of Thebes was a prolific writer, with around 18 books known to have existed, but unfortunately, all but four have been lost. Those four consist of his poems honoring the winners of various events at the ancient Olympic games. These poems are rich in mythological references, some of which are particularly insightful and early. They also incorporate aspects of the real world, where athletes were treated to a lengthy poem in song, albeit at some cost (as the music has been lost).

I hold Pindar in respect, but I'm afraid I can't recommend him to anyone who isn't either obsessed or truly in need of knowing all the mythological elements preserved within his works. Pindar's main interest for me lies in the fact that he wrote mainly before the great playwrights, making his mythologies some of the oldest preserved and most influential versions.

In Pindar's defense, there is a great deal happening in his poems. When you can follow along, it seems as if ideas come from everywhere. There is a palpable energy. The more I read, the more I became accustomed to his (translated) idiosyncrasies and techniques, and the better I was able to follow.

As for the two translations, Lattimore's is the more poetic of the two. He uses few notes, only the bare essentials (which I found not enough!), but he does have some insightful comments. Swanson's, on the other hand, is more analytical. His book includes a lengthy introduction, extensive and quite wonderful notes (including a summary of each mythological story), and even, which I thought was a treat, an appendix of several classic English poems influenced by Pindar. However, his poetics had the occasional jarring misstep. Overall, the two translations are so different that they actually complement each other.

In conclusion, this was an interesting and hopefully useful, albeit odd, exercise.

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75. The Odes of Pindar, Second Edition translated by Richmond Lattimore - this book translation 1947/1976 format: 178 page hardcover acquired: library read: Dec 11-18

76. Pindar's Odes translated by Roy Arthur Swanson translation 1974 format: 358 page hardcover acquired: library read: Dec 10-20

composed: 498-439 bce rating: ??

This is an interesting reading for anyone who is curious and/or a student of Greek mythology.

It is a valuable contribution by António de Castro Caeiro in his annotations.

Special mention should be made of the five essays at the end, especially the first one by Frederico Lourenço on the question of nostalgia in Ode IV.

The book offers a detailed exploration of the rich and complex world of Greek mythology.

Readers can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the myths, their meanings, and their significance in ancient Greek culture.

The annotations by António de Castro Caeiro provide additional insights and interpretations, enhancing the overall reading experience.

The essays at the end offer different perspectives on various aspects of Greek mythology, adding to the depth and breadth of the book.

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student of Greek mythology, this book is sure to provide you with an engaging and informative read.

Pindar, who was writing around the same time as Aschylus, composed lyric verse. However, when it comes to translation into the English used by the translator of Penguin Classics, Pindar's lyric verse doesn't fare nearly as well as his contemporary's drama.

Probably, there wasn't much that could have been done to enhance this situation. The pieces are all in honor of victorious athletes, and most of them contain brief summaries of mythical stories that many of us are still familiar with. When read all at once, it can become a bit repetitive. It might be better to dip into these works intermittently.

The introduction implies that the original form and structure of Pindar's lyric verse were exquisite, but unfortunately, that has been lost in translation. What's more, the melodies to which the odes were sung have been lost for an even longer time. Nevertheless, it is always gratifying to share just a little of the thoughts of someone who lived 2400 years ago.

This allows us to catch a glimpse of the past and gain some understanding of the cultural and artistic context in which Pindar lived and created. Although the translations may not fully capture the essence of the original works, they still offer us a valuable opportunity to explore and appreciate the beauty and significance of Pindar's lyric verse.

The joy that reading Pindar in a translation like that of José Alsina transmits, I wish it to everyone. I was lucky enough to have a second edition to compare with, but this one was my favorite. There is nothing like the Greek poetry of the occasion, the celebration while Zeus still mattered and geography, the interference of the Olympic gods, the chariot race or the pentathlon had importance.

Pindar's poetry is a window into a bygone era, a time when the gods were actively involved in the lives of mortals. His words bring to life the excitement and drama of the ancient Greek games, the pride and honor of the victors, and the awe and respect for the divine.

Reading his poetry in Alsina's translation is like experiencing it for the first time, even if you have read other translations before. Alsina has captured the essence of Pindar's work, the beauty of his language, and the power of his ideas. It is a truly remarkable achievement.

I highly recommend this translation to anyone who has an interest in ancient Greek literature, or who simply enjoys reading beautiful poetry. It is a book that will transport you to another world, a world of gods and heroes, of glory and tragedy.

Whew! I finally completed this book of poems. Pindar is regarded as one of the greatest Greek poets, yet this translation has unfortunately failed to convince me.

Richmond Lattimore was a highly respected translator of ancient Greek. He was renowned for his unwavering fidelity to the text. However, in this particular case, he was perhaps too faithful to aspects like the Greek word order, to the detriment of clarity. It seems that in his attempt to maintain the authenticity of the original, the readability of the translation has suffered.

Nevertheless, if one is reading (or rather struggling) through the Odes in the original Greek, I suspect that this translation could potentially serve as a useful aid to understanding. It might offer some insights and clarifications that could assist the reader in grappling with the complex and often晦涩 language of the original.

Overall, Pindar is indeed a poet worthy of study and appreciation. But if one lacks the ability to read the original Greek, I would recommend looking elsewhere for a translation that is not only easier to comprehend but also contains more interpretive materials such as a good introduction and detailed notes. These additional elements can greatly enhance one's understanding and enjoyment of Pindar's poetry.

A welcome change from Sappho's works can be observed here. Since Sappho's works were incomplete, these new ones are fully realized, presenting a more comprehensive and satisfying experience.

I often wonder how Pindar's odes would have sounded when accompanied by the music of that era. The musical accompaniment must have added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the already beautiful words.

The mythological parts of the odes are truly the most interesting. They take up a significant portion of the lines, captivating the reader with their rich and vivid descriptions. Pindar's use of mythology not only enriches the content of the odes but also provides a connection to the cultural and religious beliefs of the time.

Interestingly, Pindar usually includes a warning to the victor. He cautions them not to overstep their god-given abilities, as this would invite envy and ultimately lead to ruin. This moral lesson adds a thought-provoking element to the odes, making them not just a celebration of victory but also a reflection on the importance of humility and moderation.

Bad translation?

Essentially incomprehensible.

I only read about half but that seemed to be enough.

The quality of the translation was truly abysmal.

The words were jumbled and the sentences made little sense.

It was as if the translator had no understanding of either the source language or the target language.

Reading it was a frustrating experience, and I found myself constantly having to guess what the original text might have meant.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for anyone trying to understand the content based on this translation.

It is essential that translations are accurate and convey the intended meaning clearly.

Poor translations not only do a disservice to the original work but also to the readers who rely on them to access information from other cultures and languages.

In this case, it would have been better if the translation had not been done at all rather than presenting such a garbled mess.

Guilty rating: When something is so classic that it doesn't deserve just two stars, yet it's too dull to merit more than three. It's a bit of a conundrum.

Sorry, Pindar. I find myself in this strange position when it comes to evaluating your work.

On one hand, the classic nature of your compositions cannot be ignored. They have withstood the test of time and are an important part of literary history.

However, on the other hand, I must admit that I struggle to stay engaged while reading. It's not that there's anything objectively wrong with your work, but for some reason, it just doesn't hold my interest as much as I would like.

I should have known, perhaps, given that Edith Hamilton likes you. But alas, my own tastes seem to differ.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.