The Iliad - which translation?

Discussion of Julian Jaynes's third hypothesis - dating the development of consciousness to roughly 1500-1200 BCD in Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia (the transition occurred at different times in different places around the world). Includes analysis of ancient texts (such as the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Bible), linguistics, and archeological evidence from ancient civilizations as it pertains to the transition from the bicameral mind to consciousness.
Post Reply
gmtfd
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Dec 26, 2013 8:01 pm

The Iliad - which translation?

Post by gmtfd »

Wondering if anyone could recommend the best translation of the Iliad, from a Jaynesian point of view?

Many thanks for any help with this.

Regards

Gareth
Moderator
Site Admin
Posts: 408
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 1:03 pm
Contact:

Re: The Iliad - which translation?

Post by Moderator »

We know Jaynes refers to commentary on the Iliad by Walter Leaf, preferred earlier translations, and may have used the Leaf, Lang, Myers translation:

http://julianjaynes.org/related-books_iliad.php
pcg
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 2:15 pm

Re: The Iliad - which translation?

Post by pcg »

That said, the translation by Robert Fagles is generally considered one of the finest of the late 20th century. And I think it fits the "Jaynesian point of view" quite well. There's a fair amount of variety in tone and emphasis from translation to translation, and it's worth comparing editions if you have that option.
pcg
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2013 2:15 pm

Re: The Iliad - which translation?

Post by pcg »

It is also worth reading a recent thread here that discusses the importance of translations, and how many, if not most, are modernized for contemporary readers. In other words, a factual translation is shunned in favor of a smoothed, "readable" version.

http://www.julianjaynes.org/forum3/view ... ?f=7&t=895
Post Reply

Return to “3.0. Hypothesis Three: Dating the Development of Consciousness”