Translating Homeric Greek Challenges: 5 Common Pitfalls

Translating Homeric Greek is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. The language is archaic, poetic, and packed with nuances that trip up even seasoned classicists. Here are five common pitfalls to watch for.

1. Misinterpreting Archaic Vocabulary

Homeric Greek contains words that either vanished from later Greek or shifted meaning entirely. For example:

ἠέλιος

/ɛː.é.li.os/

“sun”

In Homer, this always refers to the physical sun, never to a 'day' as in later Greek. Misreading it as 'day' can scramble timelines in the Iliad or Odyssey.

Tip: Always cross-check Homeric vocabulary against a specialised lexicon, not just standard Ancient Greek dictionaries.

2. Overlooking Formulaic Epithets

Homer relies heavily on stock phrases like 'swift-footed Achilles' or 'rosy-fingered Dawn'. These aren’t just decorative - they often signal a character’s key traits or narrative themes. Translating them inconsistently (e.g., rendering 'πολύμητις' Odysseus as 'crafty' in one line and 'resourceful' in another) muddles the text’s rhythm and meaning.

3. Ignoring Poetic Word Order

Homeric Greek scrambles syntax for metrical or emphatic effect. Take this line from the Iliad:

“μῆνιν ἄειδε, θεά, Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος” (Iliad 1.1)

A literal translation ('Wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus’ son Achilles') sounds awkward in English. But flattening it to 'Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles' loses the punch of 'μῆνιν' (wrath) as the very first word.

4. Neglecting Dialectal Variations

Homeric Greek blends Ionic, Aeolic, and archaic forms. For instance, the genitive singular of 'θεός' (god) appears as both 'θεοῦ' (Ionic) and 'θεῶο' (Aeolic). Mistaking these for typos or scribal errors can lead to incorrect emendations. If you’re curious about other dialect quirks, our guide on Homeric Greek vs. Latin explores this further.

5. Forgetting the Oral Tradition

Homer’s epics were composed to be heard, not read. Repetitions, digressions, and even apparent inconsistencies often served mnemonic or performative purposes. Translating them as if they were written prose risks stripping away their vitality. For example, the infamous 'Catalogue of Ships' in Iliad Book 2 isn’t filler - it’s a rhythmic invocation of collective memory.

Key takeaway: Read your translation aloud. If it doesn’t sound like something a bard could recite to a rapt audience, rethink it.

For more Homeric Greek insights, check out our articles on essential phrases for bards or lesser-known vocabulary.