I decided to read both the Loeb Classical Library (vol. I – Apollonius Rhodius – Argonautica) and the Penguin Classics (Apollonius of Rhodes – The Voyage of Argo) editions of the story of the quest for the Golden Fleece. The Loeb Classical Library edition uses the translation by R. C. Seaton, which was first published in 1912. The Penguin Classics version uses the E. V. Rieu translation which was first published in 1959.

The two translations are quite different, and the Rieu translation undoubtedly benefited from the existence of Seaton’s translation. He uses that advantage to fairly good effect, by producing a narrative that is easier to read and has a better flow. The Loeb book has the advantage of providing the Greek and English side by side, and in this case seems to follow the Greek more closely.

Looking at just the first sentence, which provides a good example of the difference in translations, we have the following:

Seaton produces the following translation:
“Beginning with thee, O Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of men of old, who at the behest of King Pelias, down through the mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched Argo in quest of the golden fleece.”

Rieu produces something quite different, he uses part of the narrative to provide an introduction type paragraph, and then a very short sentence to start the narrative:

“Moved by the god of song, I set out to commemorate the heroes of old who sailed the good ship Argo up the Straits into the Black Sea and between the cyanean Rocks in quest of the Golden Fleece

It was King Pelias who sent them out. …”

One can see here that Seaton provides the name of the god of song, while Rieu is more about providing the information than the name of the deity, and that is true throughout the translation, though not to say that he never provides the name, especially with the more well-known deities.

Ultimately, the Penguin Classics edition with the Rieu translation is better suited for a casual read, while the Loeb Classical edition with Seaton’s translation is probably more suited for study, especially considering the Greek and English are side by side. Both editions are decent, but I am left wondering if it is possible to produce a more readable version which also provides more of the depth that one gets with the Loeb translation. ( )

Opera letteraria con testo greco a fronte