A Reading Course in Homeric Greek: Book 1 [Paperback]

Raymond V. Schoder (Author), Vincent C. Horrigan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1985

This beginner's Greek textbook series helps students quickly tackle selected pas sages from Homer's Odyssey: The Lotus Eaters, Cyclops, Circe, a glimpse of Hade s, Tantalus, Sisyphus, Scylla and Charbdis, the Sirens, Calypso---stories whose echoes still sound throughout literture today. Daily lessons are arranged so every word, form, and rule in the day's selection is learned beforehand. Essays on various aspects of ancient history, Greek culture, art, sculpture, architectu re, democracy, and the dawn of Western Civilization highlight humanistic values and increase literary appreciation. The attractive and easy-to-teach format inc orporates abundant illustrations, many in color, of Homeric scenes and themes. Pedagogically, there are integrated exercises and reviews to facilitate mastery, derivative word studies, and flashcards for vocabulary study. The extensive Te acher's Manual gives specific suggestions on hamdling the text as well as prelec tions for each lesson, a complete key to all exercises and readings, and ready- made tests that can be easily duplicated and scored. Proven effective in high s chools and college departments everywhere for more than 40 years, A READING COUR SE IN HOMERIC GREEK makes reading Greek attractive, satisfying, and enjoyable.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Leslie Edwards' [new edition of] A Reading Course in Homeric Greek captures the spirit of the original Schoder and Horrigan text while serving the needs of today's audiences. It's simply Homerically delightful!"

-- Susan Setnik, Tufts University

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, Greek

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 2 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Pr; Revised edition (June 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0829405097
• ISBN-13: 978-0829405095
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,339,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, October 15, 2001

By 

"sirshanus" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Reading Course in Homeric Greek (Teacher's Manual) (Paperback)

Having just finished Book 1, and begun Book 2, I can say without a doubt that it was primarily this text that enabled me to make the progress I have. I have examined both this series, and the Athenaze, and would very much recommend this one, not becuase it is better, per se, but because it is more rewarding. Indeed, I have finished just one year of a language, and can already read one of its most famous authors! To a highschool student who has already taken 5 years of another language, and still cannot read classic Spanish literature for want of elevated course rapidity, this is astounding. I will say that this pace does require some level of devotion. There were times (around sections 25-30, and again at sections 50-60) when I was convinced that I could go no further. Yet, I have made it to Book 2, and say that anyone else can as well, just so long as they put the work into it, persevere, and occasionally can talk to a good tutor. This last point is really the key. I find this text far more useful than the Athenaze, but I must also relate that, as with any language, it is best to learn it at least partly from one relatively "fluent" in it. A tutor is a must for almost all. With that said though, I will restate the fact that this is a wonderful and rewarding text to study from, and one that will undoubtedly amaze any who would never consider themselves able to read ancient Greek. Just give it a try--as long as you stick to it, you will eventually succeed.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hard work, but rewarding, October 19, 2000

By 

Richard A. Weaver (lawrenceville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Reading Course in Homeric Greek (Teacher's Manual) (Paperback)

This is a three-volume set of large paperbacks that will teach the motivated beginner Homeric Greek.

Most of the grammar is introduced in the 120 lessons in volume 1. The lessons are short - about 5 or 6 vocabulary items are introduced, along with a grammatical point or two. There are not a lot of examples given for each grammatical point, but this is made up for with the exercises. Each lesson, in addition to the reading selection, has translation exercises, both English to Greek, and Greek to English. Volume 2 has another 100 lessons or so, mostly annotated readings. Volume 3 is the "Teacher's Manual and Key". It contains translations of all the reading selections, and the answers to all the translation exercises. There are also tests for each lesson, with the answers provided. The presence of the answer key (translations and the answers to the exercises) is what makes this series excellent for those learning on their own; students get both practice in the application of the grammar, and feedback on how well they have learned the material.

A background in Latin is obviously helpful, but not required. The cultural notes, quotes, and historical information help keep interest high. Obviously a text meant for use in Catholic / Jesuit schools, it's a refreshing throwback to the days when the classics were respected, and "dead white men" were not politically incorrect.

Homeric Greek is not an easy language. But if you're motivated, willing to keep on pluggin', do the exercises faithfully, you'll end up with an excellent knowledge of this difficult but beautiful language.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most welcome 2006 edition of a classic text!, September 16, 2006

By 

David A. Appling "polkovnik" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reading Course in Homeric Greek: Book One (revised) (Bk. 1) (English and Greek Edition) (Paperback)

This excellent 3rd edition, including some well-chosen revisions and supplements, retains all the advantages of Schoder and Horrigan's measured approach while improving typography and readability, expanding the (extra-Homer) readings, and speaking more clearly to the preparation-deprived student of our time (earlier editions pretty much took for granted conceptual understanding of grammar and syntax). The book's pace is excellent and so is its well-phased introduction of new concepts as the student progresses. Self-correcting exercises are also included for the first time. Selections from the Odyssey begin halfway through the book, after the student has acquired sufficient knowledge and cultural background to appreciate them.
Highly recommended. I hope that Collins Edwards, the reviser, is even now working on Book 2, last republished (2nd edition) in 1986.