Eustathius of Thessalonica, Commentary on the Odyssey. Volume I

In this series, Eric Cullhed (University of Uppsala) and S. Douglas Olson (University of Minnesota) combine to provide the reader with a new critical edition of the Greek text of Byzantine scholar and rhetorician Eustathius of Thessalonica's Commentary on the Odyssey, composed during the latter half of the twelfth century CE. A much desired facing English translation of the commentary is included as well. Eustathius' commentary collects material from a wide range of sources which explain or expand on words, phrases and ideas in the Homeric epic. His original comments are blended with extracts from earlier commentators, especially the Homeric scholia. The text is also an important source for fragments of lost works of ancient literature, for the history of exegesis and lexicography, and for Byzantine cultural history. Full critical, citation and source apparatuses are included.

This first volume includes a full critical text and translation of Eustathius' Commentary on Rhapsodies 1-4 of the Odyssey, which include the poet's initial account of the situation on Ithaca and Telemachus' journey to Pylos and Sparta.