Customer Reviews
Who do you think you are? - By: A reader, 05 Jan 2008 
You'll need a sheet of paper the size of a football pitch to map out Hesiod's family tree of the gods! This edition, however, boats a lively translation supported by a brief & concise introduction & useful explanatory notes. In contrast to Homer, Hesiod's voice & play on the role of the poet is clearly demarcated, particularlyin his appeal to his brother Persesin Works & Days. Hesiod appears to be attacking Perses' idleness & lack of ambition. But could Hesiod's attack also be aimed at other sections of his society, those people who seek a life of indolence, dependent on hand outs, with little motivation for social responsibility? Hesiod's obvious attention to a strong work ethic, deeply embeddedin the agrarian cycle, espouses a moral responsibility for the individual & his neighbours. Perses does not seem to share his brother's values & principles & is duly criticised. In an interesting passage Hesiod details the need for Perses to conform to social conventions, such as not cutting your finger nails during a feast to the gods, sitting on the graves of children or using a `woman's washing water' to cleanse your body. Asin all times (take a look at a tabloid newspaper) gossip is seen as destructive but hard to avoid. For Hesiod `Rumour [a divinity] is a dangerous thing, light & easy to pick up, but hard to support & difficult to get rid of.'
As with many civilisations Hesiod conveys a patriarchal view of divine order & social responsibility. For me there is a widely sexist element to this structure and, alongside, for example, the Bible's Eve, women are seen as harbingers of trouble & strife. For instancein Works & Days Hesiod warns against the `arse-rigged woman [who will] deceive your wits with her wily twitterings when she pokes into your granary; he who believes a woman, believes cheaters.' Similarly the consequences of Prometheus' theft of fire from Zeus is the creation of a womanin the form of Pandora, whose jar (not box) is `unstopped' & all man's ills are released for all eternity, the only exception being Hope which remained `under the lip of the jar.' Hesiod's genealogy & moral framework offers an informative insight into the world of ancient Greece.
Of Gods & Men - By: Jules, 10 May 2003 This translation by Dorothea Wender is well set out & easy to read.
Taking the worksin order, Wender presents Theogony, Works & Days & the elegiac poetry of Theognisin a clear & concise manner bringing both life & a sense of excitment to the text.
Theognis' elegies are, as Wender herself proclaims, more freely translated. This should not be seen as a distraction; the same vigour evidentin Hesiods works is retainedin the poetry but the reading is easier because the language is contemporary.
Collected together, the work of Hesiod & Theognis can be viewed as having a common thread; the inconsistency of men & society & the need to trustin the gods. Whilst Hesiods 'Works & Days' gives common sense advice for the farmer, sailor & society, Theognis provides us with maxims & psychological attributes by which to organise our lives. Despite being written perhaps 200 years apart, Theognis' elegies reflect Hesiods words: Hesiod says "Shun evil profit, for dishonest gain is just the same as failure". Theognis echoes this thought with "Possesions come from Zues ... but if a greedy man ... acquires them ... he endsin sorrow."
In summary this book is enjoyable for many reasons; the translation is clear & a joy to read, the morals & observations still have a resonance today & the works are an excellent place for those interestedin ancient Greek literature & intellectual thought to start or extend their investigation. Dorothea Wender is here congratulated for her presentation & stylein bringing the works to life. An excellent read.
