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orange_eating_class's review against another edition
Imagine you had a brother who held you in such low regard that he was always explaining to you how to piss in a river and the like. Just all sorts of condescending stuff like that. Then imagine that this same brother was constantly reciting every single named character from A Song of Ice and Fire and who all their relatives were.
Anyway, Hesiod is pretty much exactly like this hypothetical guy, except he lived in the 7th or 8th Century BCE, he probably didn't need to explain to his brother how to piss in a river and not plant crops in a river, if he even had a brother, or if he even existed, and instead of tediously listing off George R.R. Martin characters, he liked to tediously list a bunch of ancient Greek deities.
Anyway, Hesiod is pretty much exactly like this hypothetical guy, except he lived in the 7th or 8th Century BCE, he probably didn't need to explain to his brother how to piss in a river and not plant crops in a river, if he even had a brother, or if he even existed, and instead of tediously listing off George R.R. Martin characters, he liked to tediously list a bunch of ancient Greek deities.
weswalker423's review against another edition
3.0
It's very interesting to read this book through a lens that compares it to Christian theology. That being said, it is a bit boring. Still a good book that helps people understand the underlying philosophy and theology of the Greco-Romans.
checkers09's review against another edition
2.75
This short book contains two of Hesiod's most well-known surviving works Theogony which focuses on genealogy and myths of the greek gods and Works and days which is more general life advice for men from that time.
I found this book fascinating, for many of the myths Hesiod discusses this is the oldest piece of work mentioning them that survives. Hesiod's works date back to the 8th century BCE, around the same time as Homer but unlike him, his work is more Personal and didactic and in my view, more enjoyable. his writing style is readable if perhaps a bit simple with quite a few unnecessary repetitions.
Theogony is the stronger of the two works it covers a wide range of stories, such as Zeus's battle with the titans, the origin of Aphrodite and Prometheus's stealing of the eternal flame. At other points he simply points out genealogy with endless streams of names going on and on for paragraphs. Work and days is a more autobiographical piece although he does talk about other myths, such as the first silver and Bronze people of earth. He mentions his own life a great deal, including his father and unreliable brother Perses. he advises men on how to live their lives and remain in good favour with the gods. Some of it is wise advice that can still be practised today and others are somewhat nonsensical. In particular, there was one passage where dear old Hesiod decided it was important to explain to us the correct way to urinate so as not to upset the gods. Towards the end he gives advice on the astronomical timing of certain daily tasks, which was an interesting reminder of just how important a role religion would have played in their daily lives.
Overall I find this to be a difficult book to review. On the one hand, in a modern sense, his work doesn't seem very remarkable or well-written. Still, considering the time of his works, Hesiod gives us a unique insight into not only the myths of the Greek gods but how they intern affected the way of life of their followers.
I found this book fascinating, for many of the myths Hesiod discusses this is the oldest piece of work mentioning them that survives. Hesiod's works date back to the 8th century BCE, around the same time as Homer but unlike him, his work is more Personal and didactic and in my view, more enjoyable. his writing style is readable if perhaps a bit simple with quite a few unnecessary repetitions.
Theogony is the stronger of the two works it covers a wide range of stories, such as Zeus's battle with the titans, the origin of Aphrodite and Prometheus's stealing of the eternal flame. At other points he simply points out genealogy with endless streams of names going on and on for paragraphs. Work and days is a more autobiographical piece although he does talk about other myths, such as the first silver and Bronze people of earth. He mentions his own life a great deal, including his father and unreliable brother Perses. he advises men on how to live their lives and remain in good favour with the gods. Some of it is wise advice that can still be practised today and others are somewhat nonsensical. In particular, there was one passage where dear old Hesiod decided it was important to explain to us the correct way to urinate so as not to upset the gods. Towards the end he gives advice on the astronomical timing of certain daily tasks, which was an interesting reminder of just how important a role religion would have played in their daily lives.
Overall I find this to be a difficult book to review. On the one hand, in a modern sense, his work doesn't seem very remarkable or well-written. Still, considering the time of his works, Hesiod gives us a unique insight into not only the myths of the Greek gods but how they intern affected the way of life of their followers.
miriamreads's review against another edition
3.0
4 1/2 stars for Theogony
2 stars for Works and Days
Overall enjoyable.
2 stars for Works and Days
Overall enjoyable.
romantiques's review against another edition
3.0
"so he spoke, and the gods, givers of blessings, applauded when they heard his words."
marimenegati's review against another edition
3.0
Theogony was very underwhelming, I much prefered works and days.