A Reading Course in Homeric Greek, Book 1: Volume 1 [Greek, Ancient (To 1453)]

If you want to read ancient texts in Greek, the best way, now pleasantly-surprisingly feasible with this book, is to start in Homer (however many individuals you believe actually composed the works under that name). I say this for two reasons: 1. Literarily, Homer's works function in almost all ancient Greek and Roman literature in the same way that the King James Bible and Shakespeare's works function in English literature. 2. Linguistically, it's always easier to go forward in time through linguistic changes than to go backward. English speakers today have to work at first to get the right feel for Shakespeare's English, and even the later ancient Greeks (after the time of Alexander the Great) depended on their scholars to explain "difficult" parts of Homer's language for them. This textbook is good. It rewards you with frequent, and real, accomplishment at each step. However, if you're a complete beginner in Greek who has never "declined" nouns and adjectives in any other language, you'll get much better results by taking a class based on this book or else by meeting frequently with a qualified private tutor. If you are comfortable declining nouns, and you are able to teach yourself a language efficiently, you can profitably work through this book on your own.

This excellent 3rd edition, including some well-chosen revisions and supplements, retains all the advantages of Schoder and Horrigan's measured approach while improving typography and readability, expanding the (extra-Homer) readings, and speaking more clearly to the preparation-deprived student of our time (earlier editions pretty much took for granted conceptual understanding of grammar and syntax). The book's pace is excellent and so is its well-phased introduction of new concepts as the student progresses. Self-correcting exercises are also included for the first time. Selections from the Odyssey begin halfway through the book, after the student has acquired sufficient knowledge and cultural background to appreciate them. Highly recommended. I hope that Collins Edwards, the reviser, is even now working on Book 2, last republished (2nd edition) in 1986.

Having just finished Book 1, and begun Book 2, I can say without a doubt that it was primarily this text that enabled me to make the progress I have. I have examined both this series, and the Athenaze, and would very much recommend this one, not becuase it is better, per se, but because it is more rewarding. Indeed, I have finished just one year of a language, and can already read one of its most famous authors! To a highschool student who has already taken 5 years of another language, and still cannot read classic Spanish literature for want of elevated course rapidity, this is astounding. I will say that this pace does require some level of devotion. There were times (around sections 25-30, and again at sections 50-60) when I was convinced that I could go no further. Yet, I have made it to Book 2, and say that anyone else can as well, just so long as they put the work into it, persevere, and occasionally can talk to a good tutor. This last point is really the key. I find this text far more useful than the Athenaze, but I must also relate that, as with any language, it is best to learn it at least partly from one relatively "fluent" in it. A tutor is a must for almost all. With that said though, I will restate the fact that this is a wonderful and rewarding text to study from, and one that will undoubtedly amaze any who would never consider themselves able to read ancient Greek. Just give it a try--as long as you stick to it, you will eventually succeed.

This is a three-volume set of large paperbacks that will teach the motivated beginner Homeric Greek.Most of the grammar is introduced in the 120 lessons in volume 1. The lessons are short - about 5 or 6 vocabulary items are introduced, along with a grammatical point or two. There are not a lot of examples given for each grammatical point, but this is made up for with the exercises. Each lesson, in addition to the reading selection, has translation exercises, both English to Greek, and Greek to English. Volume 2 has another 100 lessons or so, mostly annotated readings. Volume 3 is the "Teacher's Manual and Key". It contains translations of all the reading selections, and the answers to all the translation exercises. There are also tests for each lesson, with the answers provided. The presence of the answer key (translations and the answers to the exercises) is what makes this series excellent for those learning on their own; students get both practice in the application of the grammar, and feedback on how well they have learned the material.A background in Latin is obviously helpful, but not required. The cultural notes, quotes, and historical information help keep interest high. Obviously a text meant for use in Catholic / Jesuit schools, it's a refreshing throwback to the days when the classics were respected, and "dead white men" were not politically incorrect.Homeric Greek is not an easy language. But if you're motivated, willing to keep on pluggin', do the exercises faithfully, you'll end up with an excellent knowledge of this difficult but beautiful language.

An excellent no frills introduction to ancient Homeric Greek syntax, vocabulary, and translation. This book can, with the assistance of a tutor, quickly bring the reader to some of the first translations of a language that is so ancient, that it was spoken way before it was written (only because writing and alphabets had not been created yet!). Anyway, this book takes the "scare" out of seemingly unintelligable sqiggles and lines.The book also covers the musical verse that the poem was originally sung in. So, buy a copy and sing the Odyssey!