learn ancient greek

I started this goal nearly two years ago, and at long last I’ve finished my primer in Homeric Greek. Now that I’ve translated (with assistance) the first book of the Iliad, my next step is to procure the Loeb edition of the rest of the book, along with the Lexicon of Homeric Greek, so I can read the rest in the original on my own.

“And inextinguishable laughter was kindled in the blessed gods
when they saw Hephaestus bustle and pant about the hall.
Thus they feasted the whole day until the setting of the
sun, nor did any soul lack his equal portion,
nor the sound of the beautiful lyre which Apollo held,
nor the lovely voices of the Muses, who sang in answer to it.
And later, when the brilliant light of the sun went down,
desirous of slumber they went each towards his home,
the dwelling which the far-renowned and skillful
Hephaestus had made for each with his artifice.
Then to his bed went Zeus, the Olympian and lightning-thrower,
where he slumbered of old, when sweet sleep came upon him;
there ascending he slept, and beside him gold-throned Hera.”

”’Indeed, once already, when I sought zealously to defend you, hurled me, having seized me by the foot, from the divine threshold.
And all day long I fell, and going down alongside the sun
I fell to Lemnos, and there was little life left in me.
Thereupon the Sintian men cared for me, having fallen.’
Thus he spoke, and the goddess, white-armed Hera, smiled;
and as she smiled, her son gave the goblet into her hand.
Moreover, for all the other gods at his right hand he
poured sweet nectar, drawing from the mixing-bowl.”

”’Surely, these terrible deeds will not be tolerated further,
if indeed you both bicker thus over mortals,
and carry on a quarrel before the gods. Nor will a
stately feast be of any use, while this pettiness prevails.
But I advise my mother, even though she thinks much the same,
to bestow favor upon beloved father Zeus, so that father might
not quarrel with her anew, and throw our feast into confusion.
For if indeed the Olympian lightning-thrower should desire to
hurl us out of our abodes… he is by far the most powerful;
therefore you should address him with mild words;
then at once the Olympian will be gently persuaded by us.’
Thus he spoke, and darting up placed a double-cupped goblet
in his mother’s hand, and addressed her again:
‘Have courage, my mother, and bear up, though grieving,
that I might not see you, beloved, before my own eyes
beaten; for though vexed, I shall not be able to assist
in anything; for it is difficult to oppose the Olympian.’”

“And then cow-eyed Queen Hera answered him:
‘Most dreadful son of Kronos, what sore of word you have spoken!
Especially since before this I neither questioned nor sought
after you, for you may consider in peace whatever you may wish;
but now I am terribly frightened, down in my heart, that silver-
footed Thetis, daughter of the Old Man of the Sea, has beguiled
you; for clad in mist she sat beside you and clutched your knees;
and I believe you gave your sure assent to her, that you will
honor Achilles, and destroy many beside the ships of the Achaeans.’
Then cloud-wrapped Zeus answering addressed her:
‘Wretch, ever do you believe, nor do I escape your notice,
yet for all that you cannot accomplish anything except to become
further from my heart. And that will be even more horrible to you.
For if it is thus, it is destined to be dear to me.
But sit down in silence, and obey my command; indeed, however many gods be in Olympus, surely it shall not benefit you when,
coming closer, haply upon you my invincible fists I hurl.’
Thus he spoke, and frightened cow-eyed Queen Hera, and
she sat down in silence, subduing her beloved heart; and
throughout the house of Zeus the Heaven-dwelling gods were vexed.
Then Hephaestus renowned of skill began to harangue them;
bringing protection upon his beloved mother, white-armed Hera.”

“Thus, indeed, he then sat down upon his throne. Nor did Hera,
seeing him, fail to notice that silver-footed Thetis, the
daughter of the Old Man of the Sea, had devised plans with him.
Therefore with cutting words she addressed Zeus son of Kronos:
‘But now who of the gods, crafty one, devises plans with you?
Ever is it pleasing to you, going away from me to
consider secret plans. Nor do you ever have the courage
to tell me forthright a word that you might think.’
And then the father of both men and gods answered her:
‘Hera, do not indeed expect to know all of my plans;
they will be too hard for you, though you are my wife.
But haply it is fitting to hearken to this, that no one
either of gods or of men shall know sooner than you.
For haply I might desire to consider it away from the gods;
neither inquire you into each and every thing nor seek to know.’”

“Thus spoke the son of Kronos, and nodded with his dusky brow;
and his ambrosial locks flowing down from the mighty
ruler of the deathless fell, and shook tall Olympus.
Thus, as they had planned, they parted. Then she dove
into the deep sea from off shining Olympus, and Zeus
went homewards. And all together the gods arose from
their abodes, facing their father; nor did any dare
to refrain from coming, but all stood to meet him.”

“Then, greatly discomfited, cloud-wrapped Zeus addressed her:
‘Indeed, it is a nasty mess, when you drive me to be hateful to
Hera, that she may torment me with abusive words. For even
as things stand, she always quarrels with me among the deathless
gods, and yet now you say to aid in the fight against the Trojans!
But depart away now, that Hera might not see us; and let these
things be a concern to me, that I might accomplish them.
If I conduct to nod down my head to you, then you can believe me;
for that, from me, is the greatest pledge among the
deathless. For my word is not revocable, nor deceitful, nor
does it go unfulfilled, that to which I nod down my head.’”

“and she sat down before him and laid hold of his knees
with her left hand, and with her right pulling on his beard
entreating she addressed Lord Zeus son of Kronos.
‘Father Zeus, if ever among the deathless I aided you
either by word or by deed, fulfill for me this desire:
Honor my son, who more swift-fated than the others
turns; as matters now stand, Agamemnon the ruler of men
dishonors him; depriving him he took his prize, and keeps it.
Therefore honor him exceedingly, Olympian counsellor Zeus;
and meanwhile grant victory over the Trojans, so the Achaeans
might requite my son, and magnify him with recompense.”
Thus she spoke. But cloud-wreathed Zeus answered her not,
but stood a long time silent. And as Thetis had taken his knees,
so she clinging closely held them, and inquired a second time:
‘May you make certain assurance to me and not your assent
or else refuse, since no dread comes upon you, so I may well know
how much I am among all the gods the most dishonored.’”

“nor ever attended he the man-ennobling assembly,
nor went he into battle, but heart pining for his beloved he
remained there, and longed both for war-whoops and for battle.
But when since then twelve times had arisen Dawn
then towards Olympus went the eternally existing gods
all together, and Zeus led them. And Thetis did not forget
her son’s pleadings, but she emerged from the sea’s waves,
and clad in mist ascended great heaven and Olympus.
And she found the broad-browed son of Cronus sitting apart
from the rest, at the highest peak of many-ridged Olympus.”