Customer Reviews

Guide to Greece, Vol. 2: Southern Greece

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have reviewed the companion volume (Guide to Greece: Central Greece) in the Penguin Classics series, and commented there that the Peter Levi translation is not ideal. One of the problems I had in mind is that the division into two volumes, while sensible in itself, does not follow the standard order of the books, but groups them geographically. Pausanias should have done this himself, but the innovation means flipping between the volumes when looking up cross-references to originally adjacent material, and really complicates using references in other volumes. Still, this is not an insurmountable problem, and should not be an objection if (when?) this translation is returned to the Penguin list. Of course, the Penguin Classics are currently (2003) being reprinted in a larger format, and that may prove an occasion for altering the "Guide to Greece" in a new edition

I purchased the Pausanias' Guide to Southern Greece many years ago before vacationing in the Pelopponese. Pausanias gives a very detailed account of many tourists sites. It is referred to on plaques at Greek sites in Greece. However, as important as Pausanias, is Peter Levi. His footnotes are extremely helpful in understanding the text and relating descriptions to what is on the ground today. I learned at least as much from the Peter Levi's footnotes as I did from Pausanias' text. I would not buy a different translation without his footnotes.
I give this only a 4 star rating because it may be too detailed for the casual reader.

I'm not a professional archaeologist, but love the subject all the
same -- my ideal vacation is to tour obscure sites with ancient literature
mentioning the places.

For that, Pausanias is ideal! True, as a previous reviewer wrote, the
names are thick and obscure (just say "Sthenelaus" off-hand, then
imagine dozens of other tongue-twisters in close context), the writing
is not the best (although as early travel books go, this is the real
thing!), and without looking at the actual sites, the casual reader
may find little of interest.

But I agree, Levi's footnotes bring hours of pleasure to someone who
has visited the little-known places that, with a little attention
from the Greek archaeologists, would be just as famous as those
knee-deep in tourists. The fact you are alone, and with a voice from
1800 years ago to guide you, is like a personal discovery. Having
been to such places, I plan to return again, and I'll have my copy
with me. . . .