The Odyssey is one of the earliest works of European literature, second only to the Iliad . These two great epic poems, the astonishing first fruits of Greek civilization, have together determined much of the course of Western literary culture and imagination. The poem tells of the long and painful return of Odysseus from the Trojan War to his homeland of Ithaka, his wife Penelope and his son Telemachos. Even after he finally returns, there are enemies to be fought in his house. The action of the poem covers a huge canvas, ranging widely over time and place, exploring the known and unknown worlds, involving magic and monsters, gods and ghosts, dangers defied: throughout there runs a strong and eloquent insistence on the humanity of men and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. In this vibrant new translation, in a very readable prose format, Martin Hammond complements his acclaimed translation of the Iliad to capture as closely as possible both the simplicity and the intensity of Homer's epic. With an introduction by Professor Jasper Griffin and a comprehensive index, it sets a new and lasting standard in the interpretation of a masterpiece of Greek literature for both the student and the general reader. “Hammond's precise and highly readable translation embraces not only the immediate human appeal of the Odyssey but also much of what is alien to modern literary culture: 'modes of speech, insistent narrative sequencing, the wealth of formulaic repetition' ... [It] offers Anglophone readers a faithful and direct experience of the style and manner of Homer's great poem.” - The Classical Review Homer is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey , and is revered as the greatest of ancient Greek epic poets. These epics representthe beginning of the Western canon, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature. Homer is known only as theauthor of the The Iliad and The Odyssey, the two epic poems of theTrojan War and its aftermath that mark the birth of Western culture. Nothing isknown of his life. Jasper Griffin was Public Orator and Professor of Classical Literature in the University of Oxford, UK, Fellow of Balliol College and elected a Fellow of the British Academy. His publications include Homer (2001), Virgil (2nd edn, 2001); Latin poets and Roman life (1994) also available from Bloomsbury, and editor of Homer: Iliad, Book IX (1995). Martin Hammond was Head of Classics and Master in College at Eton College. He was also Headmaster of City of London School, and Tonbridge School, Kent. His acclaimed translation of the Iliad was published by Penguin Classics. Martin Hammond was Head of Classics at Eton College for six year from 1974, and subsequently Master in College. In 1984 he was appointed Headmaster of the City of London School and since 1990 he has been Headmaster of Tonbridge School. He is the translator of the Penguin Classics edition of Homer's The Iliad. Homer The Odyssey By Homer Duckworth Publishing Copyright © 2000 Homer All right reserved. ISBN: 9780715629581 Chapter One Book I To the Muse. * The anger of Poseidon. * In Poseidon's absence, a gathering of the gods in Zeus' halls on Olympus. Athena's plea for help for the stranded Odysseus; Zeus' consent. * Athena in the guise of Méntës visits Ithaca. Her advice to Telémachus: he is to confront the Ithacan elders with the problem of the suitors and to leave Ithaca to search for news of his father. * Penelope's appearance among the suitors. Her silencing of Phémius the singer. Telémachus and the suitors: their sharp exchange. * Nightfall: Telémachus and his old nurse, Eurycle*¯¯a. Muse, tell me of the man of many wiles,* the man who wandered many paths of exile* after he sacked Troy's sacred citadel.* He saw the cities-mapped the minds-of many;* and on the sea, his spirit suffered every* adversity-to keep his life intact;* to bring his comrades back. In that last task,* his will was firm and fast, and yet he failed:* he could not save his comrades. Fools, they foiled* themselves: they ate the oxen of the Sun,* the herd of Hélios Hypérion;* the lord of light requited their transgression-* he took away the day of their return.* Muse, tell us of these matters. Daughter of Zeus,* my starting point is any point you choose.* All other Greeks who had been spared the steep* descent to death had reached their homes-released* from war and waves. One man alone was left,* still longing for his home, his wife, his rest.* For the commanding nymph, the brightest goddess,* Calypso, held him in her hollow grottoes:* she wanted him as husband. Even when* the wheel of years drew near his destined time-* the time the gods designed for his return* to Ithaca-he still could not depend* upon fair fortune or unfailing friends.* While other gods took pity on him, one-* Poseidon-still pursued: he preyed upon* divine Odysseus until the end,* until the exile fou