Hesiod Book order

Hesiod was an ancient Greek poet, contemporary of Homer. His works are well known as a major source of Greek mythology, agricultural techniques, early economic thought, archaic Greek astronomy and ancient timekeeping. This special edition (Large print with introduction and footnotes) brings together his three major works: The Theogony, Works and Days and The Shield of Heracles. Hesiod's Theogony is a large-scale synthesis of a vast variety of local Greek traditions concerning the gods, organized as a narrative that tells how they came to be and how they established permanent control over the cosmos.

The book presents a faithful reproduction of the original text, preserving its authenticity and integrity. It offers readers an opportunity to engage with the original work as it was intended, ensuring that the nuances and details are intact. This reproduction serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the historical context and significance of the original material.

Set in 700 BC Greece, the narrative follows Hesiod, a humble shepherd from Boetia, who experiences a transformative encounter with the Muses. They grant him a laurel staff and the divine gift of Poetry, enabling him to articulate the wonders of the past and future. Through his newfound voice, Hesiod embarks on a journey to celebrate and immortalize the stories and truths of his time.

Hesiod's interpretation of the world's origins unfolds through a focus on genealogy, starting with primordial entities like Chaos, Gaia, Tartarus, and Eros. The text explores the creation of gods and the universe, revealing a tapestry of variant tales that reflect the diverse myths of ancient times. This work not only serves as a foundational mythological narrative but also highlights the complexity and richness of early Greek cosmology.

This collection features the classic works of Hesiod, Callimachus, and Theognis, presented in a faithful reprint of the original 1873 edition. It offers readers an opportunity to explore the timeless themes and poetic styles of these influential ancient poets, preserving their literary significance and historical context.

The two extant poems of Hesiod (eighth or seventh century BC) are Theogony, in which he charts the history of the divine world, and Works and Days, in which he delivers moral precepts and practical advice for the world of men.

Though attributed to Hesiod (eighth or seventh century BC) in antiquity, the Catalogue of Women, a presentation of legendary Greek heroes and episodes according to maternal genealogy; The Shield, a counterpoint to the Iliadic shield of Achilles; and certain poems that survive as fragments were likely not composed by Hesiod himself.

"The Theogony is one of the most important mythical texts to survive from antiquity, and we devote the first section 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"--Provided by publisher.