One of my favourite ancient texts (particularly Idylls 2, 15, & 18). Theocritus writes beautifully about mythology, artistic and physical excellence, reverence for Ptolemy I and II, Syracuse, and the pains of love. The translator has made this text very accessible and melodic, a true act of skill!

I highly recommend this to all - it is short, precise, worded clearly, and is quite enjoyable.

Great introduction and endnotes that clearly and directly describe all of the symbolism and backstory behind all of the Idylls that are collected here. The translation is clear and readable. Great for reference.

Theocritus was a Greek poet of the 3rd century BC. From Syracuse in Sicily. He is best known - if you know him at all' as the 'inventor' of bucolic poetry. This collection of 31 short poems demonstrate the themes and style of his work. This edition was translated by Anthony Verity and has an introduction and notes* by Richard Hunter.

As the introduction points out though there is a variation within Theocritus' work. Yes, there is a format that revolve around song competitions - more like rap battles than actually competitions - between herdsman. These can be refreshing rude.

There are also though hymns, mimes, short re-tellings of parts of larger myths - Heracles, and some praise for the powerful. Some of it reads like plays. I wasn't quite sure how much of this material would have been set to music. The introduction implies that by the time Theocritus was writing poetry had moved away from being set to music and more to simply recitations and private reading. Obviously I can't tell you how accurate that is.

There is a lot of humour in some of the poems as well as the depictions of nature and rural life that one would expect from pastoral poetry.

As usual with Ancient Greece though we know less than we would like and the introduction does an excellent job of contextualising what you are reading. The notes are useful too, although a tad repetitive on occasion.

The poetry is interesting to read. I don't think Theocritus will be one of my favourite poets. Although I recommend Idyll 5 - Goatherd and Shepherd - for its comedy as well as poetry. It's how to diss people with poetry. There's even a bit on why the patch of ground I'm standing on is better than the patch of ground you're standing on. It also includes a brief back and forth which includes a joke about penis size.

There are a couple of love poems from older men about younger boys, which is an Ancient Greek thing, but to the modern ear they're a strange read.

There poetry is cut through with the required need to praise ones rulers for patronage, but considering what I'm reading and hearing after the death of Queen Elizabeth II that hasn't gone away. I feel sorry for Simon Armitage who must be beavering away as Poet Laureate for suitable words to mark her passing.

Worth reading for its influence as the source - if not the originator - of bucolic poetry and an influence on Virgil and Milton to name but two.



*A quick personal rant. I hate endnotes with poetry. The distraction of flicking back and forth between them really breaks up the reading experience. I'm prepared to accept that this might just be me.

For as long as I put this off for class you'd think I'd really hate it, but it was actually very interesting. It was also a lot gayer than I originally expected, so thats always nice.

4.5 stars