Hesiod was an early Greek poet and rhapsode, who presumably lived around 700 BCE. His writings serve as a major source on Greek mythology, farming ...
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Jun 12, 2011
Marta
rated it: 
Yes. One of the oldest books ever written, maybe 700 B.C. I can't say much about how it's written because I think it was translated countless times and probably it's not even near to the original, but still it was a little difficult to read at the beginning but only few pages later you get used to it and you can fully concentrate on the "story".
Of course it's helpful if you have some basic knowledge in mythology, otherwise it can be a little confusing o.O
In my opinio More...
Of course it's helpful if you have some basic knowledge in mythology, otherwise it can be a little confusing o.O
In my opinio More...
Sep 28, 2011
Jim
rated it:
The story of the origin of the Greek Gods told in a pithy, declamatory way - as like a bard would do. Hesiod is not as poetic as Homer, but their are gems of description - usually in the odd adjectives he prefaces the gods with - "Bright Eyed Athena" for example.
Occasionally the verse bogs down into lists of minor gods and begats (gee, like another creation story familiar to many?). But I really enjoyed reading how the classical mind, just out of barbarism and creating civ More...
Occasionally the verse bogs down into lists of minor gods and begats (gee, like another creation story familiar to many?). But I really enjoyed reading how the classical mind, just out of barbarism and creating civ More...
Apr 04, 2011
xamevou
rated it: 
As always, every phrase in this review should be preceded by "In my opinion...":
It is clear that this book is of immense value for the Human Race, as it contains a very precise account of the greek Gods, their origins and their relationships (marriages, rivalries, etc.). However, it is not fun at all. It reads as a boring catalog of Gods, or as a census. There are many charts through the internet that convey almost the same information as this book, whose main literary virtue is More...
It is clear that this book is of immense value for the Human Race, as it contains a very precise account of the greek Gods, their origins and their relationships (marriages, rivalries, etc.). However, it is not fun at all. It reads as a boring catalog of Gods, or as a census. There are many charts through the internet that convey almost the same information as this book, whose main literary virtue is More...
Nov 06, 2011
Lucy
rated it: 
Hesiod's Theogony was mentioned in passing by one of my professors a few weeks ago, so when I saw a translation I decided to buy it on a whim. I recommend it not just to Classics students, but also anyone with an interest in Greek mythology!
May 04, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
I've read this twice now, and I can honestly say I completely understand the importance of a good translator. I really should have written their names down because one translation was brilliant and one was absolutely just not readable!
May 04, 2009
It was interesting. Mostly a geneological description of who begat such and such God/Titan. But there were stories about how Krono's overcame his dad, and how Zeus overcame Kronos, and basically became the ruler of the world.
May 11, 2011
Erik
rated it:
Having already read Hesiod's Theogony in the Loeb editon, I obtained this for comparison purposes and its ancillary matter.
Note the translator: Norman Brown, the author of Love's Body etc.
Note the translator: Norman Brown, the author of Love's Body etc.
Jul 13, 2010
Jesse
rated it: 
The story was very cool, about how the Greek Gods came about, but it was very short and very dry. If I hadn't already read it just before picking Theogony up, I'd have just read the Aeneid again.
Jul 23, 2011
Brian
rated it:
The Works and Days is very interesting for some of the more day-to-day experiences and beliefs of ancient Greeks, but I preferred the Theogony for the grandiose tales of origin.
Mar 16, 2010
Kailey
rated it:
A who is who and who beget who of early Greek mythology. It is a hard read because there are so many rapid fire names and not a lot of connecting story. The work is very centered on the greatness of Zeus and how he established his power. I found this edition to be helpful because it has some great family tree diagrams in the introduction that are very useful.
Aug 10, 2011
A quick read, and pretty interesting if you've got any grounding in Greek mythology.
Jan 29, 2012
Yupa
rated it:
Dite quel che volete, ma per quanto mi riguarda Esiodo, in confronto a Omero, si dimostra troppo debole un po' da tutti i punti di vista...
Eccessivi poi gli elogi a Zeus, divinità che non m'ha mai garbato troppo...
Eccessivi poi gli elogi a Zeus, divinità che non m'ha mai garbato troppo...
May 07, 2010
Rae
rated it:
I read this so long ago that I don't remember much about it other than that I liked it. I think it has to do with the Greek gods and how Zeus was made the chief god.
Dec 16, 2009
Willow
rated it:
The Theogany is a wonderful Classical text that is very necessary for understanding how the Greeks felt about their religion.
Nov 17, 2008
PD
rated it:
You'll have to wade through this one. But it is an important book, historically speaking.
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