What about 'classical classics'?

[Green_Shoe]

Hello everyone!

 

I haven't seen any treads about the real classics, I mean antique classics by this. Do you like Greek or Roman authors? How do you approach their works? There are many good translations out there so you don't need to learn Ancient Greek or Latin to read Homer or Vergil. But it's so exhausting sometimes... Even if the historical and cultural background is familiar to you, it's a big challenge, I think.

[sirinrob]

Well Plato's 'Republic' is on my TBR list so hope that counts :eek2:

[Echo]

I loved the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, and I've enjoyed what little of Plato I've read, but I haven't read much else.

[busy91]

The only one I've read was Dante's Inferno. Don't know if he qualifies. I approached it very openly, I'm not sure I 'got it' all but I gave it a go. Don't think I'll be reading anything like that, anytime soon.

[MDR124]

I have in mind to refresh my classical studies and start translating again from ancient greek and latin. I know reading these books isn't easy, but once you start reading them you get rewarded by their beauty. What have you been reading Green Shoe?

[Green_Shoe]

sirinrob, sure. Plato. Respect.

MDR124, sounds like we're colleagues. I read Homer, Vergil, Horace, Taсitus, Lucretius - the standard list for those who take Introduction to the Classical Literature course. I don't say that I'm the best student in the world and a professional in this field but it would be nice to have someone to talk about it.

I'm re-reading Petronius' Satyricon at the moment and I really like it.

busy91, Dante is definetly Classics but from another period. I was talking about the Literature of Antiquity/Late Antiquity. But I like Dante, too.

[MDR124]

Colleagues...I could have been probably. I happen to be an engineer, yet I find shelter in classics whenever I can. I can find peace in them and often they're more modern than most of the books you find around in bookshops. Among the authors you mentioned I love reading Homer (Odissey, in particular, I can't get tired of it), Horace (Satirae and Odes) and Lucretius (de rerum natura).

[blithe]

The only classical literature I've read is The Odyssey, but I have enjoyed reading the philosophical works of Seneca, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius and Epicurus - I find their words quite soothing.

[Green_Shoe]

MDR124, oh. Then we're not. Engineering is not my field at all . Well, you told you wanted to refresh your classical studies and so on. To be honest, I've never seen an engineer, who could translate original texts from ancient Greek and Latin, that's why I thought you're some kind of philologist.

De rerum natura is an interesting work. I'm taking a course about Lucretius this semester and I'm going crazy because of the intertextuality and philosophical background.

[MDR124]

Oh, Green Shoe, you're too generous. I'm just fond of ancient literature and philosophy. Lucretius' De rerum natura is really interesting. If you hadn't already read Epicurus'Letters you should, I can bet you'd like it.

[Green_Shoe]

Yeah, it is essential to read Epicurus to be aware of what Lucretius is writing about. Well, in general. The course is getting more and more interesting now.

[MDR124]

I'm happy to hear that. I'd follow a literature course too, especially one with such philosophical links

I'm book-starved, I've left all my greek texts in the old house before we moved here, I can't wait until next week to retrieve them

[Genevieve]

I find Plato to be very enchanting, something about the rythmn of his words, wonderful, oui, the best

[Tristan]

When I was in high school, I must have read a shitload of Latin texts. Ovidius, Cicero, Homer, Julius Caesar,.. ranging from poetry/mythology to socio-political works. There's a lot in them to appreciate, even to love. Still, I wouldn't even dream of reading them in the original language though. I'm afraid my Latin is a tad too rusty these days.