Theogony, Works and Days, Shield

Hesiod’s two major works, Theogony and Works and Days, compose most of this volume, along with accompanying introductions and detailed notes. The Theogony traces the origins and genealogy of Greek gods and recounts the events surrounding the crowning of Zeus as their king. Works and Days is a didactic poem offering advice on living a life of honest work. Included also is a rare translation of Shield, a work generally attributed to Hesiod, but probably not written by him.

In the introduction, it is urged that Hesiod be read both as an early Greek philosopher-poet and as a bard with deep roots in the harsh life and rich folk culture of his native Boeotia.