Works and Days, Theogony, and the Shield of Heracles

These three classics of Greek literature — often called extended poems — helped bridge the oral and written traditions of Greek civilization. Like his contemporary, Homer, Hesiod artfully relates the struggles and triumphs of the gods as he offers moral and practical advice for earthbound mortals. A poetic treatise on agriculture and farming, Works and Days also presents instructions for daily life and social behavior. Theogony, on the other hand, concerns the origins of the gods, from the battle between the Titans to the ultimate triumph of Zeus. The Shield of Heracles holds further adventure, recounting one of the legendary hero's epic battles. This scrupulously accurate and readable translation is essential for students of Greek mythology and literature.