The Aeneid: A New Prose Translation (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Virgil (Author), David West (Translator, Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: August 6, 1991

The legendary origin of the Roman nation which tells the story of the Trojan Prince Aeneas who escaped with some of his men after Troy fell and sailed to Italy under the protection of the goddess Venus. Here they settled and laid the foundations of Roman power.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

About the Author

Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BC) was born in the north of Italy and completed his education in Rome. He also wrote THE ECLOGUES, completed in 37 BC, and THE GEORGICS, which he finished in 29 BC. He then devoted the rest of his life to the composition of his greatest work, THE AENEID. Since retiring from the Latin Chair at Newcastle University, David West has translated the Odes and Epodes of Horace and written commentaries on Odes I and on Odes II. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (August 6, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140444572
• ISBN-13: 978-0140444575
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #972,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Aeneid translation I have read..., November 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Aeneid: A New Prose Translation (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

West's translation is, in a word, excellent. In all of the years I have studied Latin, I have seen many translations of this legendary work of Virgil, and all of them have been verse translations. In my experience, I have found that such translations, at times, have clouded what Virgil wrote in the original Latin. This translation, however, is different. West decided to do a prose translation, and in doing so has captured the true essence of Virgil's work. It is not the same as reading the original Latin, but the beauty and eloquence in the original have been well represented in this translation. This is a translation that can be truly enjoyed by all, regardless of your age, gender, or education.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A ho-hum translation of the incredible epic, May 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Aeneid: A New Prose Translation (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

I must first say to you that I really do love the Aeneid. There are some brilliant sections contained in that epic. Its poetry goes unsurpassed in spots, and the characterization would not be matched for another thousand and more years in the Western tradition. It's also the most sophisticated of all the classical epics; not only does it tell the tale of a brave hero with the attributes most dear to his race(just like all the other epics), but it also serves as propaganda for Augustus Caesar(fun to analyze), warns about the costs of fate(witness Dido!), and inflicts deep pathos upon the reader, along with articulating the purpose of the Roman Empire.

However, this translation is by no means adequate to convey the meaning behind this tale. I've read the Latin, which is of course superior, but it isn't that hard to find a better translation. Epics are supposed to be in high language...that's how they sounded even to the Romans! This new translation cuts out many poetic passages and renders them in dull, conversational English. Perhaps it is the easiest to understand, but using that argument would lead to the elevation of "See Spot Run" as highest art.

I suggest W F Jackson Knight's translation instead; Penguin, knowing that this new one would NOT be for everybody, and that the discerning would look for something better, still prints the other one too! The poetry, the faithfulness, and all the other important attributes of translation are much better taken care of in that one, so beware David West's travesty and get the good stuff instead.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Somewhere In Between Prose and Verse", November 30, 2001

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Aeneid: A New Prose Translation (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

For individuals less inclined to reading verse, David West's prose translation will come as a long-awaited relief. David West does not discard those elements that make Virgil so pleasant to read, and suprisingly manages to convert and preserve the original song and eloquence that marks the beauty of Virgil's great classic, the Aenied. In contrast with other editions this is moderately recommended.