Customer Reviews

Plato, VII, Theaetetus. Sophist (Loeb Classical Library)

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Like most volumes in the Loeb series, the emphasis is not on word-for-word precision in the translation, but on acheiving greater readability in broader terms. Since the original text in ancient Greek is provided on the facing page, the editors assume that anyone with a little knowledge of Greek can supplement the looseness of the translation by referring to the original. And in general, the compromises made in this way are good ones throughout the series. Fowler's translation is one of the better translations of the Theaetetus and Sophist available, which makes this edition extra valuable. These are dry, craggy texts which no translator can faithfully render into easy, idiomatic English. But they are centrally important for understanding Plato's thought. But having a faithful rendering supplemented by the original Greek really makes this an important and useful edition.

The standard Loeb affair. What more might I say? The translation is adequate, notes are minimal and generally refer to variations in the Greek. The introductions are helpful, although incredibly short.