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

by Virgil (Author), David West (Introduction, Translator) "I sing of arms and of the man, fated to be an exile, who long since left the land of Troy and came to Italy..." (more)
Key Phrases: hurled his spear, yearling sheep, favouring winds, Phoebus Apollo, Father of the Gods, Mount Ida (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (August 6, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140444572
• ISBN-13: 978-0140444575
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #346,178 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 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

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.

20 of 23 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

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.

4 of 5 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 (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.