Please be aware before we start that we are not going to be reading the entirety of the Homeric Hymns. Instead, we will be focusing on the longer hymns. Namely, we will be reading the hymns to: Demeter, Apollo, Hermes, and Aphrodite.

Reading/Discussion Post Schedule:

• Start Date: 02/03/24
• Week 1 - Hymn to Demeter - 09/03/24
• Week 2 - Hymn to Apollo - 16/03/24
• Week 3 - Hymn to Hermes - 23/03/24
• Week 4 - Hymn to Aphrodite - 30/03/24

Free versions: both the Evelyn-White and the Lang translations are available for free online. Additionally, a free audiobook version is available on LibriVox. The hymns we will be reading correspond with sections 2 - 5 of the audiobook.

Available Translations:

• Hugh Evelyn-White, Public Domain, Verse, 1914. This is an older translation and was used in schools for most of the twentieth century. It is well respected, if at times a little dry. As it is in the public domain there are several versions of this translation available online and in print. As such, the availability of context notes varies. You can read it for free on the Project Gutenberg site: Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns, and Homerica, by Homer and Hesiod (gutenberg.org)
• Jules Cashford, Penguin Classics, Verse, 2003. This is seen as a good translation for beginners to read. The translation is mostly done in free verse, which means that the poetry is less restrictive in terms of meter than some other translations. It comes with an introduction by Nicholas Richardson that talks a lot about the hymn to Demeter and the whole Persephone/Hades story, which could be of interest to a lot of readers. This translation comes in both physical and eBook formats. The Homeric Hymns (Penguin Classics) eBook : Homer, Richardson, Nicholas, Cashford, Jules: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
• Micheal Crudden, Oxford World Classics, Verse, 2008. This translation is written in fixed hexameter verse, to reflect some of the meter of the original Greek text. Reviews are mixed on this aspect of the translation but mostly agree that it works well, with Crudden taking some artistic liberties. This is seen as an accessible version of the poems and comes with a solid introduction and extensive notes. This book comes in physical and eBook editions. The Homeric Hymns (Oxford World's Classics) : Crudden, Michael: Amazon.co.uk: Books
• Martin West, Loeb Classical Library, Verse, 2003. This is a very academic bilingual translation that is used by scholars. Overall, the reviews for it are great, with an emphasis on the accuracy and the accessibility of the translation. This version seems to mainly be available in physical hardback format but can be accessed through the LoeB Classical Library site if you are attending an affiliated university. LOEB Homeric Hymns. Homeric Apocrypha. Lives of Homer (Loeb Classical Library 496) : West, Martin L: Amazon.co.uk: Books
• Peter McDonald, Fyfield Books, Verse, 2016. McDonald was an acclaimed poet, alongside being a respected scholar. His translation is seen as being modern but true to the original text. This edition comes with a lot of extras, including a translation of the ‘Life of Homer’, excerpts from ‘The Odyssey’ and Hesiod’s ‘Theogony’. It comes in both physical and eBook formats. The Homeric Hymns: Amazon.co.uk: Peter McDonald: 9781784101763: Books
• Diane J. Raynor, University of California Press, Verse, 2014. This translation has a lot of really good reviews. It is seen as both accurate and vibrant, capturing the musical essence of the original text. It comes with a great introduction that provides a lot of context and extensive notes. It comes in physical and eBook formats. The Homeric Hymns: A Translation, with Introduction and Notes (Joan Palevsky Imprint in Classical Literature) eBook : Rayor, Diane J.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
• Apostolos N. Athanassakis, John Hopkins University Press, Verse, 2020 (third edition). Athanassakis originally published his translation of the Hymns in the 70s. Written in iambic pentameter, it quickly became the go-to text for scholars because it captures the energy of the original texts while also being clear and accessible. The most recent edition added an expanded introduction, a lot of context notes, genealogical tables and commentary on modern scholarship surrounding the Hymns. It comes in eBook and physical formats. The Homeric Hymns eBook : Athanassakis, Apostolos N.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
• Sarah Ruden, Hackett Classics, Verse, 2005. Ruden chose to try to mimic the original Greek rhythm of the Hymns by sticking to an eleven syllable line structure here. For the most part, this technique seems to work well. The translation has mixed reviews overall, but most agree that it a good place for beginners to start with. Her writing is good, though at points it is a little dry. From what I can see online, the major criticisms for this book focus on the shortness of the introduction and a lack of extensive context notes. This translation comes in physical format only. Homeric Hymns (Hackett Classics) : Murnaghan, Sheila, Ruden, Sarah: Amazon.co.uk: Books
• Susan C. Shelmerdine, Focus Classical Library, Verse, 2000. This translation has some really good reviews. It is seen as truthful to the original Greek texts as well as being enjoyable to read. It comes with a lot of notes and in-depth analysis for most of the bigger Hymns as well. It is recommended for ‘novices’ in Greek mythology – people who know a little bit about the mythos and the cultural background but are still reading the Hymns for the first time. This translation comes in physical and eBook formats. The Homeric Hymns (Focus Classical Library) eBook : Shelmerdine, Susan C.: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
• Andrew Lang, Project Gutenberg, Prose, 2005. This is also an older translation (Lang died in the early twentieth century). Reviews for this translation are mixed, due to both Lang’s influence/opinions on the Hymns coming through in the text and due to it being a prose translation. It comes with an introduction and some notes. It is available for free on the Project Gutenberg site: The Homeric Hymns (gutenberg.org)

Currently, I’m thinking of going with either the Athanassakis or the Shelmerdine translations.