In this new translation of Hesiod, Barry B. Powell gives an accessible, modern verse rendering of these vibrant texts, essential to an understanding of early Greek myth and society. With stunning color images that help bring to life the contents of the poems and notes that explicate complex passages, Powell’s fresh renditions provide an exciting introduction to the culture of the ancient Greeks. This is the definitive translation and guide for students and readers looking to experience the poetry of Hesiod, who ranks alongside Homer as an influential poet of Greek antiquity. ”Barry Powell, known for his powerful translations of Homer, now brings to life the epics of Hesiod, the second giant of early Greek literature. Powell's accurate but sparkling English renditions make this book the ideal place to begin reading Hesiod’s timeless classics.”—Ian Morris, Professor of Classics and Professor of History at Stanford University ”Powell’s translation is fresh, rich, and nuanced but never arcane or difficult to follow. Perfect for undergraduate students and anyone who loves Greek epic poetry.”—Carolina Lopez-Ruiz, Associate Professor of Classics at The Ohio State University ”An exciting and most welcome new translation, enriched with illuminating introductions, well-drawn maps, a substantial body of notes, a glossary, indices, explanatory charts, and numerous colorful illustrations.”—Silvia Montiglio, Professor of Classics at Johns Hopkins University ”Barry Powell, known for his powerful translations of Homer, now brings to life the epics of Hesiod, the second giant of early Greek literature. Powell's accurate but sparkling English renditions make this book the ideal place to begin reading Hesiod’s timeless classics.”—Ian Morris, Professor of Classics and Professor of History at Stanford University ”Powell’s translation is fresh, rich, and nuanced but never arcane or difficult to follow. Perfect for undergraduate students and anyone who loves Greek epic poetry.”—Carolina Lopez-Ruiz, Associate Professor of Classics at The Ohio State University ”An exciting and most welcome new translation, enriched with illuminating introductions, well-drawn maps, a substantial body of notes, a glossary, indices, explanatory charts, and numerous colorful illustrations.”—Silvia Montiglio, Professor of Classics at Johns Hopkins University Barry B. Powell is Halls-Bascom Professor of Classics Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of Homer and the Origin of the Greek Alphabet ; Classical Myth ; Writing: Theory and History of the Technology of Civilization; and many other books . The Poems of Hesiod Theogony, Works and Days, and The Shield of Herakles By Barry B. Powell UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS Copyright © 2017 The Regents of the University of California All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-520-29286-4 Contents List of Illustrations, Acknowledgments, Spelling, the Pronunciation of Ancient Names, and Map References, Maps, General Introduction: Hesiod and His Poems, Introduction to the Theogony, Theogony, Introduction to the Works and Days, Works and Days, Introduction to The Shield of Herakles, The Shield of Herakles, Notes, Bibliography, Glossary/Index, CHAPTER 1 General Introduction Hesiod and His Poems The Theogony is one of the most important mythical texts to survive from antiquity, and I devote the first section of this translation to it. It tells of the creation of the present world order under the rule of almighty Zeus. The Works and Days, in the second section, describes a bitter dispute between Hesiod and his brother over the disposition of their father's property, a theme that allows Hesiod to range widely over issues of right and wrong. The Shield of Herakles, whose centerpiece is a long description of a work of art, is not by Hesiod, at least most of it, but it was always attributed to him in antiquity. It is Hesiodic in style and has always formed part of the Hesiodic corpus. It makes up the third section of this book. The influence of Homer's poems on Greek and later culture is inestimable, but Homer never tells us who he is; he stands behind his poems, invisible, all-knowing. His probable contemporary Hesiod, by contrast, is the first self-conscious author in Western literature. Hesiod tells us something about himself in his poetry. His name seems to mean "he who takes pleasure in a journey" (for what it is worth) but in the Works and Days he may play with the meaning of "he who sends forth song." As with all names — for example, Homer, meaning "hostage," or Herodotus, meaning "a warrior's gift" — the name of a poet may have nothing to do with his actual career. Hesiod's father, so the poet tells us, once lived in ASIA MINOR, in Aiolian KYMê, then moved to ASKRA in mainland Greece, a small, forlorn village at the foot of MOUNT HELIKON near THEBES, where Hesiod lived. Like Homer, Hesiod became an aoidos, an oral "singer." W