Translated by G. B. Cobbold

Description

One of the pillars of Western literary tradition, Vergil's Aeneid is also a terrific read: the story of a man whose city is destroyed in war, and of his journey to find his place in destiny. This epic has it all: adventures on the high seas, passion, battles, monsters, magic, meddling gods, and struggles that test the moral fiber of both men and women.

The Aeneid has been deemed one of the most influential poems in world literature. And yet, a translation with wide appeal has been lacking—until now. G. B. Cobbold joined with Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers to produce an Aeneid that gives the epic its due as the rousing and moving story that it is, while remaining true to the spirit of the Latin original. This an Aeneid like no other: a fresh, page-turning rendition that reads like a novel, but has the vividness of poetic language, with attractive and accessible reader aids. Sure to become a prized standard!

Special Features

Cobbold's command of Latin and commitment to a strong narrative line have produced an Aeneid for everyone!

Features include:

• Introduction to the Aeneid and Vergil
  
• Vivid novelistic rendition with sidebar running summaries and dynamic in-text illustrations
  
• Map of Aeneas' voyage
  
• Glossary of characters
  
• Family trees of main characters and gods
  
• Book-by-book outline of the plot of the Aeneid
  
• Timeline of significant events in Roman history
  
• Reading group discussion questions

Comments and Reviews

Part of the reading experience includes spending some time with the classics and G. B. Cobbold has made that much easier with his new translation of Vergil's Aeneid ($12.95, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Wauconda, IL). The author's knowledge of Latin and this classic story has permitted him to retell it as a novel, rather than its original text as a poem about a man whose city is destroyed by war and his long journey to find his destiny. In the process, there's plenty of high drama, passion, battles, monsters, and meddling gods. It speaks to every new generation in a very special way. This new version makes the story especially accessible in many ways, including a glossary of characters, a timeline of significant events in Roman history, and other aids.

—Alan Caruba
Bookviews
My Picks of the Month
Bookviews June 2005
http://www.bookviews.com/

Vergil's Aeneid: Hero, War, Humanity is an impressive English translation of Vergil's classic work of literature. G. B. Cobbold renders Vergil's Aeneid into a novel format, with sidebar summaries, which reads very much like an exciting modern adventure story! Enhanced with illustrations, a map of Aeneas' voyage, a glossary of characters, family trees of main characters and gods, a book-by-book outline of the plot of the Aeneid, a timeline of significant events in Roman history, reading group discussion questions, and much more, Vergil's Aeneid truly makes classic literature come alive. Highly recommended for study and discussion groups, and a welcome alternative interpretation for those who are more familiar with Vergil's Aeneid in verse-by-verse form.

— Midwest Book Review

Vergil's song of the Roman Empire still resounds in the ears of listeners as it has for two millennia. Now, G. B. Cobbold has translated the great Roman epic into English as a novel. Here the excitement, adventure, romance and glory of Vergil's classic emerge from a vigorous style and evocative prose. The narrative depicts and reveals individuals and circumstances, conflicts and resolutions in a manner that is as exciting as the best current adventure stories. This translation of the Aeneid makes Vergil's epic accessible and entertaining for English speaking students.

At the Aeneid's core remains the moral question: do I do as I want or as I ought? Cobbold depicts Aeneas' decisions and dilemmas in this light, telling Vergil's story in simple yet elegant English. The prose clearly depicts the people and events of the epic in a lucid and vivid style providing the edifice that displays Vergil's presentation of the moral quandaries of humanity.

This edition of the Aeneid is embellished with the enjoyable illustrations of Thom Kapheim whose drawings show people and events in a light yet meaningful way.

For students of Latin but more importantly, for students of the humanities, Cobbold's translation of the Aeneid is an exciting introduction to the great Latin classic.

— Patrick Romane

THE SUBTITLE OF this volume (Hero War Humanity) suggests that it is a book which discusses some aspects of the Aeneid. In fact, C. quickly dispels this idea in his introductory notes: rather, it is a fresh translation, designed as a novel more than a crib for Latin students. He treats the plot as paramount, attempting to engage the reader in Aeneas' problems rather than echoing the epic style. For this reason, he omits the names of some minor characters, and refers always to Italy rather than Ausonia or Oenotria. He suggests that one main use of his work might be as a summary of the entire Aeneid for those making a detailed scrutiny of selected passages. I could certainly see myself handing it to interested sixth formers or those studying a particular book, and hoping that they might go and read it for themselves.

As a novel, it certainly works. Many passages draw the eye ever onwards to the next section and the feel is very much how Virgil must have planned the flow of the Aeneid. Every few lines there is a brief subheading or summary, which is useful in one way, but rather detracts from the idea of a novel they breakup the narrative though they could be useful to someone reading Virgil for the first time. Every few pages there are line drawings depicting some aspect of the action. Some, but not all, similes are indented a good idea, not always consistently carried through. My only real concern is with the American spellings and the rather colloquial speech of Achaemenides in Book 3 but if you are recommending it to an intelligent sixth former, that needn't be a problem.

A nicely presented volume, containing useful appendices on plot outline, family trees, glossary of names and some discussion questions. I would certainly want to try it with the right clientele.

Jeffrey Swales
Bablake School, Coventry