How do I cite a quote from an ancient greek play?
It depends on the function of the translation in question within your paper. If you are writing a paper about the play itself, then you cite would cite (Sophocles, 24) where 24 is the page number in the translation you are using. On the other hand, if you are comparing translations in your paper, then you would cite by the translator. Just choose one or the other depending on how you are using the source in your essay and stick to it. Don't forget to list it in the same way in your Works Cited list. So in the first example, if I were listing Richmond Lattimore's translation of the Iliad, citing it the first way, it would be under "Homer" and the second, it would be under "Lattimore, Richmond, trans." If, by chance, you are working from the original Greek text (and quoting in Greek, with or without your own translation), you'd list it under Sophocles and would include the editor in the Works Cited list. Be aware that classicists often use their own conventions when citing standard texts in the original. For example, when quoting from Plato, Stephanus numbers (referring to page numbers in Henri Estienne's edition on 1578) are frequently used.
Where can I read Ancient Greek texts?
Greek Wikisource has many Ancient Greek texts. Most are in Ancient Greek with the standard polytonic spelling, some in Modern Greek monotonic spelling, and some also have a Modern Greek translation. I think this may be the only place to read Sappho for free, and maybe some other writers. You can find the list of Ancient Greek authors (in Greek) here.
Why is it better to read old texts like ancient greek tragedies instead of more contemporary materials?
Reading the canon texts lets you experience where it all came from. An old joke among lit junkies is "Ah, Shakespeare: so full of cliches." The joke is that we've taken SO MUCH from these old texts that it's a shock to finally learn where it all came from. For instance, I'm re-reading the Iliad. It's so apparent how the modern epic grew from this spellbinding tale, and how many parallels can be drawn from its pages. It connects us with our roots, and it's crucial to gaining a full understanding of literature and, in the process, the history of human civilization.
How do I cite Greek plays?
"Ancient sources are cited much more precisely than modern ones. To cite an ancient text in prose (a speech by Cicero or Demosthenes, a philosophical work by Plato or Aristotle, a historical work by Livy or Thucydides, and so on), use the conventional book, chapter, and section numbers. These numbers are not ancient -- Cicero and Plato did not divide up their own texts this way -- but they are standard, and have been used for hundreds of years to refer to these texts. For example, Cicero in his speech For Marcus Caelius compares the arrest of Licinius to a scene from a comedy (Cic. Cael. 65) To cite an ancient text in verse -- and all ancient drama is in verse -- give the line number. For example, Euelpides finds the Hoopoe's appearance so bizarre that he asks whether he is a normal bird or a peacock (Birds, 102)."
Are there any books that are written in Ancient Greek?
What’s “Ancient Greek”? “Ancient Greece” covers a very long and vague period of Greek history that spans about 2000 years, from roughly 2000–1600 BC when the first Greek-speakers arrived in Greece, to the 4th century AD, widely considered nowadays as the cutoff point between “ancient” and “medieval” times. The language evolved as much during that 2000-year period as it has between then and now.That said, quite a few very famous books have been written in Greek in ancient (pre-4th century AD) times. I’m sure you’ve heard of a few:The New Testament, aka Christian Bible, written in Koine, the phase of the Greek language between roughly 300 BC and 300 AD.The Iliad and Odyssey, by Homer, around the 13th or 12th century BC, and reflects the Greek of the Archaic period.Oedipus Rex and Antigone, plays written by Sophocles, around the 5th century BC, and reflecting the Greek of the Classical period.Republic, by Plato, widely read in universities, and one of many works written by Plato, in the 4th century BC, also reflecting Classical Greek.Lysistrata, by Aristophanes in the 5th century BC, also in the Classical period.Meditations, written by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in Koine Greek, in the 2nd century AD.Parallel Lives, by Plutarch, 2nd century AD, in Koine Greek.You should have at least heard of most of the above, but here’s a very long Wikipedia entry on Ancient Greek literature: Ancient Greek literature - Wikipedia, and -if you’re interested- medieval:Byzantine literature - Wikipedia, and modern (roughly 15th century to present): Modern Greek literature - Wikipedia
Where can I find the original Greek Bible without any translations?
I assume by “original” you mean the best Greek source of the New Testament that can be used for translation.I use the version at Tufts University Perseus Project (access Matthew starting here).This is the best source because each word is linked to a system for automatically parsing the form of each word of the original into all the possible Greek words it could represent. For example, it will show you that the Greek word translated as “mountain” in the verse on moving mountains could also be the Greek word that means “ass” or “mule”.The definitions are Perseus are drawn from all of ancient Greek literature, not just the Bible. Biblical research sources are very tautological. The “definitions” of words are how the word has historically been translated in the English Bible. Often, those meanings miss the mark just as the Greek word translated as “to sin” means ���to miss the mark”. This is not to suggest that much Biblical translation though well-intention might be a sin. Or is it?This is very important if you want to enjoy how clever Jesus was. Much of the humor is lost in Jesus’s sayings was based on wordplay, as the “mountain/mule” dichotomy above.