On Translating Homer’s Odyssey

America’s most celebrated living classicist, Daniel Mendelsohn’s new translation of Homer’s Odyssey has been universally acclaimed as the greatest and most authentic ever to appear in English; capturing both the music and archaic grandeur of Homer while bringing to vivid life the gripping adventure, profound human insight, and powerful themes that ensure this epic poem will continue to be celebrated and loved as one of the greatest works of culture for as long as there are humans alive to hear it.

As Christopher Nolan’s new film guarantees a surge of new excitement to this timeless tale of monsters and men, of grief and homecoming, Daniel joins us live in conversation in London to offer his personal reflections on the meaning of the poem both now and across the ages, and explore the challenges and particularities of translating the Greek of Homer the into modern English.

Praise for Daniel Mendelsohn’s translation of the Odyssey:

‘This may be the best translation of The Odyssey yet. Daniel Mendelsohn’s rendering of Homer’s text is both highly readable and faithful to the original metre. It’s impressive, thrilling stuff… a sonorous new translation’ – Edith Hall, Telegraph

This may well be the best translation of Homer’s poem yet. Mendelsohn’s rendering is highly readable – monsters, thrashing swims and wine-dark seas churn to life – and yet, thrillingly, it stays faithful to the original metre. Christopher Nolan’s upcoming adaptation won’t rival this ― Telegraph Best Poetry Book 2025

History’s greatest adventure story brought to us anew by America’s greatest living classicist―this is fast, fluent, thrilling, and a hugely impressive accomplishment ― Lee Child

This event is presented in partnership with City Lit.