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From: ahearn@parsec.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.books
Subject: Re: Greek and Roman Classics - (nf)
Message-ID: <4755@uiucdcs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Jan-84 22:35:08 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.4755
Posted: Tue Jan  3 22:35:08 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 6-Jan-84 02:16:41 EST
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#R:ihuxw:-63300:parsec:46400001:000:1114
parsec!ahearn    Jan  3 13:03:00 1984

In reply to Scott Pector's comments on the classics, I am 
compelled to advertise the merits of Aeschylus and Catullus.
Aeschylus' *Agamemnon*, in particular, is very good. The play
is concerned with the events leading to the death of Agamemnon
at the hands of his wife, Clytemnestra.

Catullus is my favorite classical poet. He lived at the time of
Julius Caesar and wrote very well in many different forms (he was
among the first of the Roman poets to use Greek forms, like
the Sapphic). Catullus is witty, keenly aware, and bawdy. In fact,
if you are easily offended, stay away from Catullus. He writes 
frequently about sex, and was one of the lovers of one of the more
famous, uh, society women of his time.

With all translations, the erudition and integrity of the translator
is crucial. Do a little research before you buy the book.

Two translations I have recently read which I can recommend very highly
are Mary Bernard's *The Poems of Sappho* (well, Sappho and Catullus
are my favorite classical poets) and John Ciardi's masterwork, Dante's
*Divine Comedy*.

Enjoy!

Joe Ahearn
allegra!convex