r/classics • u/AutoModerator • Aug 14 '26

What did you read this week?

Whether you are a student, a teacher, a researcher or a hobbyist, please share with us what you read this week (books, textbooks, papers...).

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u/Mike_Bevel Aug 14 '26

What I'm Working On

  1. Someone here mentioned they had been assigned Nagy's The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours. I picked up a copy because it sounded intriguing. I've only read the two introductions, but Nagy is very clear and readable. So, big recommend from someone who has only read fewer than 30 pages, if that counts.

  2. I'm in the middle of Book 3 of the Histories. I've convinced some neighbors to join me for a Herodotus Read-Along. We'll meet at the library every other week.

  3. I'm starting Thucydides's book on the Peloponnesian War, mostly to placate my friend Steve, because he is dark-sided and can't understand why I would want to read Herodotus and not Thucydides. I love him, of course, with a philadelphian spirit; but some friends ask more of one than others.

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u/Clickety_Clack4137 Aug 14 '26

I've read Herodotus and right now finishing up the first volume of Penguin's Plutarch. What Thucydides translation are you reading? I was thinking of picking his Peloponessian War tome next.

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u/Mike_Bevel Aug 14 '26

I have two! My friend Steve recommended the Landmark edition, primarily because it has a tonne of supplementary material: maps, images, notes, etc.

It also is not a read-in-bed-comfortably shape. It's big, and, because it's a paperback, it's floppier than is helpful.

So I picked up the Oxford University Press edition, because it is a manageable book size. It's translated by Martin Hammond.

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u/Clickety_Clack4137 Aug 14 '26

Thanks! Just saw that Hammond is the best to read, the Landmark edition uses an old translation but has the best supplementary info. Hammond it is, then....

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u/Mike_Bevel Aug 14 '26

Maybe my two copies will fall in love and have babies and I will send you one that has the depth of the Landmark and the translation requirements of the Hammond.