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The Homeric Hymns: A Verse Translation with Introduction and Notes

Norman Butler

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The Homeric Hymns are a collection of 33 hymns in ancient Greek, traditionally attributed to Homer. They were composed between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, and they provide valuable insights into the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Greeks.

The Homeric Hymns: A Verse Translation

by P.G. Van

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Language	:	English
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The hymns are addressed to a variety of deities, including Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hermes, Athena, and Poseidon. They range in length from a few lines to over 500 lines, and they vary in style from simple invocations to complex narratives.

The Homeric Hymns are an important source of information about ancient Greek religion. They provide details about the gods' attributes, their relationships with each other, and the rituals and sacrifices that were performed in their honor. The hymns also shed light on the beliefs of the ancient Greeks about the afterlife and the nature of the divine.

In addition to their religious significance, the Homeric Hymns are also valuable works of literature. They are written in a beautiful and polished style, and they contain many vivid and memorable passages. The hymns have been praised by scholars and poets for centuries, and they continue to be read and enjoyed by people today.

A Verse Translation of the Homeric Hymns

The following is a verse translation of the Homeric Hymns by A.T. Murray. The translation is accurate and readable, and it captures the beauty and spirit of the original Greek.

Hymn to Zeus

Sing to me, O Muse, of Zeus, the father of gods and men, Who dwells in high Olympus, throned in majesty; Whose voice shakes the broad earth, and the wide heaven trembles, When he lifts his mighty arm and hurls his thunderbolts.

From his awful head flows a mane of golden hair, And his eyes flash with fire, fierce and terrible. His mighty chest is broad, his arms are strong, And his voice rolls forth like thunder from the clouds.

He is the king of the gods, and all the other gods obey him. He is the father of men, and all mankind are his children. He is the protector of the just, and the punisher of the wicked. He is the lord of the sky, and the earth, and the sea.

O Zeus, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your name be praised forever and ever.

Hymn to Hera

Sing to me, O Muse, of Hera, the queen of heaven, Whose beauty is like the golden dawn, And whose eyes are like the stars of night.

She is the wife of Zeus, and the mother of gods and men. She is the protectress of marriage, and the guardian of women. Her throne is beside Zeus, and she shares his power.

O Hera, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your name be praised forever and ever.

Hymn to Apollo

Sing to me, O Muse, of Apollo, the god of light, And of his sister Artemis, the goddess of the moon.

Apollo is the son of Zeus, and he is the most beautiful of all the gods. His hair is golden, and his eyes are blue. He is the god of music, and his lyre is always in his hand.

Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, and she is the most beautiful of all the goddesses. She is the goddess of the hunt, and she is always accompanied by her dogs.

O Apollo and Artemis, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your names be praised forever and ever.

Hymn to Artemis

Sing to me, O Muse, of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, And of her brother Apollo, the god of light.

Artemis is the daughter of Zeus, and she is the most beautiful of all the goddesses. She is the goddess of the hunt, and she is always accompanied by her dogs.

Apollo is the son of Zeus, and he is the most beautiful of all the gods. His hair is golden, and his eyes are blue. He is the god of music, and his lyre is always in his hand.

O Artemis and Apollo, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your names be praised forever and ever.

Hymn to Aphrodite

Sing to me, O Muse, of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, And of her son Eros, the god of desire.

Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus, and she is the most beautiful of all the goddesses. She is the goddess of love, and she is always accompanied by her doves.

Eros is the son of Aphrodite, and he is the most beautiful of all the gods. He is the god of desire, and he is always armed with his bow and arrows.

O Aphrodite and Eros, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your names be praised forever and ever.

Hymn to Hermes

Sing to me, O Muse, of Hermes, the messenger of the gods, And of his brother Apollo, the god of light.

Hermes is the son of Zeus, and he is the most clever of all the gods. He is the messenger of the gods, and he is always accompanied by his caduceus.

Apollo is the son of Zeus, and he is the most beautiful of all the gods. His hair is golden, and his eyes are blue. He is the god of music, and his lyre is always in his hand.

O Hermes and Apollo, great and glorious, I sing to you. May your names be praised forever and ever.