1686 Homer ILIAD & Odyssey Thomas Hobbes English ed Trojan Wars Greek Mythology

1686 Homer ILIAD & Odyssey Thomas Hobbes English ed Trojan Wars Greek Mythology

 

“Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.”

― Homer, The Iliad

 

A rare first edition thus of the works of Homer, the legendary Greek poet responsible for the mythological epic poems the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’. These two poems focus on Greek mythological heroes, their military conquests, and involvement in the Trojan War. Each of these titles have been printed and reprinted countless times.

 

This fine English edition was translated out of the original Greek by Thomas Hobbes. According to Alexander Pope, another notable Homer translator,

“Hobbes has given us a correct explanation of the sense in general, but for particulars and circumstances, he continually lops them, and often omits the most beautiful. As for its being esteemed a close translation, I doubt not many have been led into that error by the shortness of it, which proceeds from his not following the original line by line. He sometimes omits whole similes and sentences and is now and then guilty of mistakes.”

 

Hobbes translation is considerably different from that of other English translations, much in part to his ‘carelessness’ and ‘unintelligent bookishness’. (Riddehough). However, this edition is nevertheless an important fixture in the English portrayal of Greek classics.

 

Item number: #25520

Price: $1950

 

HOMER

 

The Iliads and Odysses of Homer. Translated out of Greek into English, by Tho. Hobbes of Malmsbury. With a large preface concerning the vertues of an heroick poem; written by the translator: also the life of Homer.

 

London: Printed for Will Crook…, 1686.

 

Details:

• Collation: Complete with all pages
  • Iliad – [28], 384
  • Odyssey – 293, [7]
• References: Riddehough, Thomas Hobbes’ Translations of Homer; Wing H 2552;
• Language: English
• Binding: Leather; tight and secure
• Size: ~6.5in X 3.75in (16.5cm x 9.5cm)

 

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25520