Showing results for "Translation, History," in History

The ancient world has cast a long shadow, influencing our customs and religious beliefs, our laws, and the form of our governments. It has taught us when and how we make war or pursue peace. It has shaped the buildings we live and work in and the art we hang on our walls. It has given us the calendar that organizes our year and has left its mark on the games we play.

This is the first volume in a bold new series that tells the stories of all peoples, connecting historical events from Europe to the Middle East to the far coast of China, while still giving weight to the characteristics of each country. Susan Wise Bauer provides both sweeping scope and vivid attention to the individual lives that give flesh to abstract assertions about human history. This narrative history employs the methods of "history from beneath" - literature, epic traditions, private letters, and accounts - to connect kings and leaders with the lives of those they ruled.

Titus Lucretius Carus (c. 99-55 BC), a Roman poet and philosopher, crafted the remarkable De Rerum Natura, or On the Nature of Things, a didactic poem that reveals the profound teachings of Epicurus. In this timeless work, Lucretius encourages us to shed superstitions and religious dogmas, unveiling a universe governed by the laws of matter and energy. He poignantly reflects on our shared mortality while marveling at the wonders of the cosmos— from the graceful twirl of dust motes in sunlight to the majestic power of lions and the exhilarating rush of horses at the starting gate. Above all, ...

Written in the first century B.C., On the Nature of Things (in Latin, De Rerum Natura) is a captivating poem in six books that seeks to convey Epicurean philosophy to a Roman audience. Through engaging digressions on the significance of philosophy in human life and a celebration of Epicurus, Lucretius crafts a profound treatise on atomic theory, the fallacies of religion, and various natural phenomena. With a perfect balance of philosophical insight and epic style, the poem dazzles with rich imagery and eloquent expression. (Summary by Leni)

The Aeneid stands as the most renowned Latin epic poem, crafted by the illustrious Virgil in the 1st century BC. This timeless tale follows the legendary hero Aeneas, a Trojan prince who bravely leaves the ruins of his homeland to guide his fellow Trojans to a new destiny in Italy, ultimately becoming the forefather of the Romans. The first six books of this epic recount Aeneas’ adventurous journey from the ashes of Troy to the shores of Italy, while the latter half delves into the Trojans triumphant battles against the Latins. Experience this captivating story through J.W. MacKails eloquent...

Brought to you by Penguin. Chris Harding's enormously enjoyable new book distils Japan's long, complex and fascinating history into the stories of twenty remarkable individuals. These vivid and entertaining portraits take the reader from the earliest written accounts of Japan right through to...

For more than two thousand years, The Art of War has stood as a cornerstone of Chinese culture, a lucid epigrammatic text that reveals as much about human psychology, politics, and economics as it does about battlefield strategy. The influence of Sun-Tzu's text has grown tremendously in the West in recent years, with military leaders, politicians, and corporate executives alike finding valuable insight in these ancient words.

Electra, a powerful Greek tragedy by Sophocles, is shrouded in mystery regarding its exact date of composition. However, its stylistic connections with other works like Philoctetes (409 BC) and Oedipus at Colonus (401 BC) suggest it was crafted towards the twilight of Sophocles illustrious career. Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War in the city of Argos, the play delves into the gripping tale of Electra and her brother Orestes as they seek vengeance against their mother, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus, for the brutal murder of their father, Agamemnon. - Summary by Wikipedia

Regarded by modern playwright Ellen McLaughlin as perhaps the greatest antiwar play ever written, Euripides The Trojan Women, also known as Troades, is a poignant tragedy that resonates deeply even today. Written in 415 BC against the backdrop of the Peloponnesian War, this powerful work reflects on the devastating events surrounding the capture of Melos, where the Athenians brutally subjugated its people. This year was also marked by the notorious desecration of the hermai and the Athenians ill-fated second expedition to Sicily—events that likely influenced Euripides’ writing. The Trojan ...

Oedipus Rex (Ancient Greek Οἰδίπους Τύραννος, Oidipous Tyrannos) is a timeless Athenian tragedy penned by Sophocles, first performed around 429 BC. This version, translated by the esteemed classicist Gilbert Murray, offers a fresh perspective on the title, rendering it as Oedipus, King of Thebes. Positioned as the second play in Sophocless trilogy, it holds a crucial place in the historical timeline, preceding Oedipus at Colonus and followed by Antigone. The narrative unfolds the harrowing story of Oedipus, who rises to become the king of Thebes while fatefully fulfilling a ...

Homer’s Iliad stands as the cornerstone of Western literature, masterfully unfolding the dramatic events of the final year of the Trojan War across twenty-four books of Greek hexameter poetry. This renowned translation by Alexander Pope, crafted in captivating rhyming couplets, is often hailed as one of the greatest feats of literary translation in English. Dive into this epic narrative that begins with the furious wrath of Achilles and culminates with the poignant burial of Hector, the noble horseman. (Introduction by Steve Perkins)

Sophocles Antigone is a stirring artistic rebellion against tyranny that has resonated through the ages. This timeless tragedy, translated and adapted countless times, speaks to the persistent struggles against oppression that define the human experience. Antigones courageous defiance of Creons arbitrary and unyielding laws remains profoundly relevant even in the third millennium CE. Written during a period of national fervor in 441 BC, shortly after Sophocles was appointed as one of the ten generals for a military campaign against Samos, the play stands out for its lack of overt political ...

Translations explore les récits de vie de personnes issues de l'immigration. Quitter son pays, en adopter un nouveau, s'adapter, se définir entre deux fuseaux horaires, entre deux vies. La richesse et les blessures de l'exil, le regard qui embrasse plusieurs réalités à la fois, c'est ce que l'écrivaine Claire Legendre dévoile à travers les dix rencontres qui peuplent Translations. Crédits : Translations est un projet de Claire Legendre financé par le Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC). · Auxiliaires de recherche : Marine Noël, Jean-François Vaillancourt...

Worried that old age will inevitably mean losing your libido, your health, and possibly your marbles too? Well, Cicero has some good news for you. In How to Grow Old, the great Roman orator and statesman eloquently describes how you can make the second half of life the best part of all - and why you might discover that reading and gardening are actually far more pleasurable than sex ever was.

On the Nature of Things, penned by Titus Lucretius Carus in the first century BCE, stands as one of the most significant surviving works on Epicurean philosophy and science from antiquity. Rather than a mere academic treatise, the original Latin text (De Rerum Natura) unfolds as an exquisite poem in hexameter, lauded for its stylistic beauty that influenced later writers like Ovid and Cicero. The English verse translation by William Ellery Leonard, crafted in the early twentieth century, faithfully captures both the vocabulary and meter of Elizabethan poetry, alternating between pentameter and...

At the core of this ancient strategy manual is the understanding that conflict is an inescapable part of human life. Since, as Sun Tzu teaches, aggression and response in kind can lead only to destruction, we must learn to work with conflict in a more profound and effective way. Crucial to this strategic vision is knowledge—especially self-knowledge—and a view of the whole that seeks to bring conflicting views into a larger perspective.

In this captivating exploration of Count Tolstoys genius, we find him not confined to the realms of realism or naturalism, but rather soaring as an impressionist. His storytelling, while occasionally lacking in precise detail, paints vivid scenes that transcend historical accuracy. Imagine an artist crafting a battle with colors and emotions rather than exact lines; this is Tolstoys gift. One is drawn into a mesmerizing flow of life, where the court and camp, towns and countrysides, nobles and peasants are all brought to life with striking clarity. As we journey through the pages, we encounter...

“War and Peace” is an epic literary journey that stands as its own testament, perhaps needing no introduction at all. It evokes the image of a grand river, flowing powerfully with the weight of destiny. As you navigate its waters, you encounter floating remnants—logs, ice, and even the shadows of lives lost, all of which are markers of the current’s relentless force. The landscapes unfold before you, revealing bustling cities, harrowing terrains, and breathtaking rapids. Whether the waters are murky or crystal clear, they surge forward unceasingly. This is the essence of “War and ...

Dive into Leo Tolstoy’s monumental historical novel, which intricately weaves the tapestry of the Napoleonic wars in Russia. Revered as one of the greatest literary masterpieces, this translation by Aylmer and Louise Maude brings to life the depth of human experience during this tumultuous period. Volume 4 encompasses Books 12 through 17, spanning the years 1812 to 1820, as it explores the profound effects of war and peace on society and individuals alike. - Summary by the reader

The Art of War (1521) is the sole work published by Niccolo Machiavelli during his lifetime, a testament to his belief in its significance as one of his greatest accomplishments. This influential text builds on themes from Machiavelli’s earlier masterpieces, “The Prince” and “Discourses,” presenting them through the insightful dialogues of a fictional military leader, Lord Fabrizio Colonna. Set against the backdrop of the serene Orti Oricellari gardens in Florence, the book aims to inspire honor and virtue, advocate for military discipline, and encourage unity among citizens while ...