I was recently asked to produce a reading list for a student who’s getting into Classics and studying Classical Civilisation GCSE with Vox Clara Tutoring.
There’s so much to choose from, of course, but here’s where I’ve suggested we start.
The Greek Reading List:
Homer, Iliad and Odyssey: There’s really no avoiding the fundamental importance of knowing some Homer. Beginners may find the Odyssey an easier start than the Iliad, even though that’s the wrong way round for narrative chronology. There are some fantastic translations available, but you could do worse than Fagles’ Iliad and, for the Odyssey, the fantastic rendering by Emily Wilson.
Hesiod, Theogony: I’ve put the Theogony on the list because so many of my students have a keen interest in mythology, and this takes them away from modern texts and into a significant original source. West’s translation is perhaps the most commonly used, but try Schlegel and Weinfield if you want a truly poetic version.
Apollonius, Argonautica: I’ve not taught the Argonautica nearly as much as I’d have liked, but I think it’s another good way into a crucial mythological story, and this Hellenistic epic provides nice contrast with all the study of Homer. Peter Green has produced a lovely verse translation with copious supporting notes.
Sappho’s poetry: Although much is highly fragmentary, even the odd lines of this early woman poet, with her extraordinary passionate verses towards women and men alike are vital reading. If the fragments are frustrating, start with the extant or near-extant poems. Anne Carson’s critically-acclaimed translation is well worth reading.
Plato, Symposium: Those interested in ancient philosophy will doubtless want to go far further than Plato, but his Symposium is a very good place to start. This set of speeches about eros (desire), while giving many and varying perspectives through the eyes of ancient characters, is both fun and intriguing. Gill’s translation is an accessible option.
Euripides, Bacchae and Medea: Reading any tragedy is vital to a beginner Classicist, and I could have chosen any number of plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. The Bacchae and Medea, however, live large in modern imaginations, and raise some fascinating questions about gender, in particular. There are many additional aspects to consider when reading drama in translation, but you could try Morwood’s Bacchae or Robertson’s Medea.
Aristophanes, Lysistrata: To complement all that tragedy, we mustn’t forget about comedy (and, if this is your interest, don’t forget Menander, Plautus, and Terence for a very different perspective!). Again, there are a number of famous Aristophanes plays to choose from, but Lysistrata’s gender-political ideas still raise eyebrows today. Sommerstein’s Penguin translation is a popular option.
Herodotus, Histories: The so-called ‘father of history’, Herodotus offers beginner readers an enjoyable mixture of what we might now describe as both ‘myth’ and ‘history. If you enjoy the Histories, Thucydides should be your follow-up. For a vivid modern translation, try this by novellist and Classicist Tom Holland.
The Roman Reading List:
Virgil, Aeneid: There is no avoiding the importance of Virgil’s Aeneid for all subsequent poetry, not to mention the understanding of Augustan Rome. This epic account of the first foundations of Rome and the hero Aeneas is crucial reading for anyone starting out in Classics. West’s translation is very widely taught, with the caveat that he renders Virgil’s hexameter as prose.
Livy, Histories 1-5: Complement the poetic account of Rome’s earliest history with Livy’s ‘historian’ perspective. The first five books cover the famous stories of Rome’s early mythohistory, and are contained in one volume in De Selincourt’s translation.
Catullus’ poetry: While some of the language and imagery may not be suitable for younger readers, Catullus’ importance to all subsequent Roman love poetry makes him vital and entertaining reading. Daisy Dunn offers a refreshing translation, plus I’ve always gone back to Peter Green’s vivid bilingual edition.
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Fasti, and Amores: I know it might seem unfair that I’ve given Ovid three entries on the list, but, what can I say? I love Ovid’s work. Still engaging, entertaining, and highly controversial, he’s well worth reading across the different genres in which he wrote. The Metamorphoses and Fasti are essential for myth lovers, while those who are looking for love poetry should turn to the Amores. If you’d like an even more controversial game of words, the Ars Amatoria should be your next stop. For the Metamorphoses, Humphries’ renowned translation is now also available with commentary, but for the more affordable option try Melville. For a wonderful interpretation, I must point you also towards Ted Hughes’ Tales from Ovid. For the Fasti, go for Anne and Peter Wiseman’s translation, even though it’s another prose rendering (Peter Wiseman taught me everything I know about the Fasti during my MA, and he truly is a legend!). For a truly poetic Amores, there’s Len Krisak’s translation, or there’s another A D Melville translation to recommend. Plus with both options you’ll get the Ars Amatoria thrown in as well!
Suetonius Lives of the Caesars: I know there will be readers asking what I’ve done leaving out Cicero and Tacitus, but I think many beginners will fare better on their Roman prose journey by beginning with Suetonius’ accounts of the emperors’ lives. Famously translated by Robert Graves, there is also the newer translation by Catherine Edwards to suggest.
Lucan, Civil War: Perhaps another controversial choice for a beginners’ must-read list, but I still think Lucan is woefully overlooked. Try the Civil War (or Pharsalia) for an extraordinary dark gory epic with Julius Caesar as its megalomaniac anti-hero. This is a stark and important text for contrasting with the Aeneid and Susan Braund’s translation does it great justice.
Claudian, Rape of Proserpina: Okay, this time I’ll acknowledge I really am giving in to personal favourites, but as the author of a book about Claudian, I couldn’t just leave him off! A very different style of epic again, with its flowery late antique poetics, this unfinished mythological poem deserves your attention, especially if you are interested in the Persephone story. Sadly, the excellent translation by Claire Gruzelier will now cost you a small fortune, but you can read Platnauer’s rather dated version online for free.
The Background Reading List:
Robin Osborne, The World of Athens: This JACT textbook is still a solid introduction to Athenian culture, and provides a great background for anyone studying Greek or starting out in Classics.
Paul Cartledge, The Spartans: An Epic History: Sparta still dominates popular imagination, and Paul Cartledge is the great Sparta expert. The Spartans: An Epic History is an engaging yet enlightening read.
Mary Beard, SPQR: Mary Beard has been subject to her fair share of controversy lately, but SPQR is nevertheless a readable introduction to the Roman world by a leading historian.
The Modern Fiction Reading List:
Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles and Circe: It’s no secret that we are big fans here at Vox Clara Tutoring of modern fiction as a way into Classics. Madeline Miller has been at the forefront of a huge rise in popularity for myth retellings. The Song of Achilles for Iliad fans, or Circe for Odyssey ones, really are some of the finest in the genre at the moment.
Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad: As so often, Atwood was well ahead of her time with the Penelopiad, essential reading for Odyssey fans who are looking for a clever and amusing new perspective.
Ursula Le Guin, Lavinia: If Roman mythology and the Aeneid are your thing, Le Guin has a beautiful retelling from the perspective of Italian princess Lavinia.
Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle of the Ninth: A classic of children and young adult literature, turn to The Eagle of the Ninth for a journey through Roman Britain and the adventures of a Roman soldier. The film made of the novel, The Eagle, is also worth watching.
Caroline Lawrence, The Time Travel Diaries: I’ve already mentioned Lawrence’s work in a previous review, but I won’t miss the chance to promote her novels as a great way into the ancient world for slightly younger readers. The Time Travel Diaries are her most recent books, but The Roman Mysteries are another option, for those who like an ancient adventure.
Stephen Fry, Mythos, Heroes, and Troy: For a modern and engaging romp through a wide range of Greek myths, underscored by solid research, Stephen Fry’s works are currently top of our list. You can find out more about by reading Lucy Fletcher’s review on our blog.
Kamila Shamsie, Home Fire: I really didn’t want to miss off this powerful and innovative retelling of Sophocles’ Antigone, set among contemporary Muslim families in America and London. If ever there were a reminder that ancient stories are also for our time, this is it.
Podcasts:
Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics: While podcasts aren’t reading, I really feel they deserve a mention on this list as one of the current ways that people are enjoying and learning about the classical world at the moment. Natalie Haynes is a fabulous Classics advocate, and her novels are absolutely worth looking up, too. Her show on Radio 4 is also available to download and listen to, and is funny and very informative all at once.
Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby: Another fun, witty, but thoroughly researched podcast, focussing largely on Greek myths. Liv’s long-running show grows better and better, and is a great way to think about the ancient world in a different way.
In conclusion…
Obviously this is a personal list, but hopefully there’s something here for anyone starting out in Classics. Though drawn from my long career in teaching and studying Classics, and it’s by no means extant. I am also aware that it only covers Greece and Rome, rather than the wider ancient world, but hope that beginners will want to explore further in due course. I’d love to know what you think I’ve missed off! I also know that books are often expensive, so if you’re looking for a great site for free translations of many of the texts above, check out Poetry in Translation for an amazing resource. Thanks for reading!
Clare Coombe is a tutor with Vox Clara Tutoring and the author of Camilla, a novel retelling the story of the warrior queen in Virgil’s Aeneid. If you’re interested in studying Classics with a tutor, whether you’re young or old, a beginner or experienced, please do contact us to find out more.