The Argonautica

I no longer doubt Green's skills as a classics editor. All of his seem a pleasure to read. The introduction to this translation is specially well-written, and that's to say nothing of the poem itself--a memorable experience. However, this translation does have one major snag. The book uses end notes instead of a footnotes (these are very extensive, I might add).

Homer mentioned the voyage of the Argo as a well-known story, and bits and pieces appear in surviving Greek lyrics and dramas of the Classical period. Jason's later life with Medea is a well-known subject of tragedy. Our oldest comprehensive account of the journey, however, comes from Hellenistic times, in a work by Apollonius, at one time associated with the Library of Alexandria, commonly known as "of Rhodes," supposedly... Read Full Review

The ancient Greek story, 'The Voyage of Argo - the Argonautica', also known as 'Jason and the Argonauts' is generally best known as a classic '60's film. The Apollonius' version was very popular in its day, the middle of the third century BC. This is the Penguin Classic translation by E.V. Rieu (1959), and it still reads well. There is a handy glossary for the obscure names of the heroes and gods that populate the pages.This... Read Full Review

I liked it. The translation was well done and quite readable. I was surprised, however when I ran out of translation and hit the extensive commentary at the back. As I am not a scholar of Greek or Roman writings or mythology the depth of the commentary was generally too much for me. I would have preferred the split page method, where the text and commentary relevant to it appear on the same page. The glossary at the back... Read Full Review

215 pages long. This is the only complete tale of Jason and the Argonauts quest for the Golden Fleece. The story is certainly a classic through curiously not as widely read as Homer. Especially since this work is shorter and easier to read than the Illiad and Odyssey, yet also provides a good prelude to these epics too. My only prior knowledge of the story was the 1963 movie, which has the flavor of a jaunty adventure,... Read Full Review