Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why?
So if you’re into the ‘classics’ and well into stuff like the epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey and other such early writings, bully* for you.
I’m no scholar of ancient languages and have no wish to be. This was a present from a well-meaning friend who thought that, just because my Mum was Greek, I’d automatically be a fan of Aristotle, Thucydides et al.
Nah! And to say it was a struggle to get through it, is a massive understatement. Bored! Confused?
Let’s put it this way, it’s 6 hours of my life I’ll never get back!
The “why” is relatively easy to explain: it was written in koine Greek (modern Greek is quite different though there are some common vernacular words).
If you’re a Greek koine scholar, job’s a good un. Otherwise, you might struggle to work your way through the maze of verbal exchanges. Then you’ve got to make sense of it all! Good luck with that.
And don’t assume that the translation you are reading is actually a direct, unquestionable quote with an accurate comprehension.
Bravo to the people that try to make it work. But as an ordinary bloke, it’s lost on me.
Don’t let this prevent you from trying. One man’s meat is another man’s fish n chips as we say in our house.
A famous king once wrote “to the writing of many books there is no end” so use your time wisely.
Have a great day.
*”bully” sounds wrong doesn’t it? But the phrase relates to being brave enough to do something. Get it? Bully for you then!
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