PosthomericaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fantastic new translation of Quintus Smyrnaeus’s Posthomerica. The first time I read this was a free edition from the early 1900s. This new, fresh translation made a big difference. As many people note, while Quintus certainly “ain’t Homer”, it is an important read that touches on many non-longer extant episodes of the Epic Cycle that lie between the Iliad and the Odyssey.

There were many enjoyable passages and phrases, in both the original Greek and in the translation. One I highlighted was: “Eos reached the deep stream of Ocean and great darkness came upon the dimmed earth–the time when mortals have some slight relief from their troubles” (IV. 62-64, p. 198/9). I also liked Poseidon warning Apollo to not kill Achilles’ son Neoptolemus, “Off you go back into divine air: if you make me angry, I shall force open a broad chasm in the vast earth and instantly plunge the whole city of Ilium, walls and all, down into that broad darkness; then you will be the one who is grieving” (IX 313-323, p. 470/1). My side note to this was “Damn.”

For my rating, I gave 4 stars for content, 3 stars for the quality of writing by Quintus, 5 stars for the translation by Neil Hopkinson and 5 stars for my pure, unfiltered joy reading this particular volume! Hurrah and well done, Loeb Classical Library.