Penguin Classics - The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse

The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse, edited and translated by Christopher Childers, offers an exquisite bilingual collection of poetry from antiquity. From the intimate confessions of Sappho to the stirring odes of Horace, this volume breathes new life into the most personal and powerful voices of the classical world.

This edition is a must-have for anyone interested in the roots of Western poetry, offering modern readers an accessible yet faithful translation of works that span over a thousand years of cultural and poetic evolution.

Content Highlights

• Selections from major lyric poets: Sappho, Pindar, Catullus, Horace, Propertius, and more
• Bilingual format with original Greek or Latin alongside English translations
• Historical and literary context provided through insightful introductions
• Emphasis on lyric, elegiac, and epigrammatic forms

Main Themes of the Book

• Love and longing
• Honor, fame, and loss
• Philosophy and mortality
• Nature and divine inspiration
• Personal identity and poetic expression

Why you should read " The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse "

• An essential literary resource for classics enthusiasts and students
• Curated and translated by acclaimed poet and scholar Christopher Childers
• Features lesser-known gems alongside canonical works
• Combines academic rigor with poetic fluidity
• Aesthetic design and layout characteristic of the Penguin Classics tradition

The Penguin Book of Greek and Latin Lyric Verse is a celebration of the ancient voice—intimate, fierce, and enduring. This collection makes the distant past feel surprisingly present, reminding readers that poetry, like emotion, transcends time and language.

Whether you are a student of the classics or a lover of lyrical beauty, this volume belongs on your bookshelf.