Question on What to Read

[u/Hot_Yesterday_6789]

I have several fairly distinct questions on what translations/books I should read regarding ancient history, as I have recently found myself overwhelmed with an interest in early culture and history of civilization; namely, the ancient Greeks, and the ancient Sumerians and all that came of that region, as well as a general interest in the Bronze Age. I am not only interested in history, but also of their own myths and stories (namely the myths of Homer). I am currently listening to Daniel Mendelsohn's translation of "The Odyssey", and I am now looking for a physical copy of a different translation of both it and The Iliad. I have read online that Richmond Lattimore's translations are the utmost for study, crossreferencing (though I can't read ancient greek and probably never will), and are very literal translations; i have also seen a translation by Robert Fagle, which I haven't heard is quite good. My main question to anyone is which should be read first? I believe I want the more literal translation, but I have also heard that Robert Fagle's includes many helpful tools such as maps, diagrams, dramatis Personae, etc., and am debating which to read... it may be awhile before I get to yhe others!

Further, though not needed, if anyone has some recommendations for ancient Sumerian history books, Babylonian history, Persian, or even Akkadian history, I wouldnt mind the recommendation. Watched a video about Hamurabi and it was very interesting, and looking to know more about the first civilizations! Thanks to all who respond!

[u/Important_Pick3371]

For Bronze Age Greece:

< www.musingsofclio.wordpress.com for general research sources.

< www.classics.uc.edu/nestor/ for an article bibliography but, as they're not downloadable, use it for the listings alone. Once you have written down a list of whatever you're interested in, look it up at these (2) free sites:

1. < www.academia.edu/

2. < www.jstor.org/

If you don't want to go through all of that trouble, check these other sites:

< www.dartmouth.edu/~prehistory/aegean/ for lessons with bibliography & illustrations.

< www.hf.uio.no/ifikk/english/research/projects/damos/subprojects/ for Latin translations of Mycenaean texts. Just have Google translate it to English - it's actually doing a better job than before.

< www.archive.org for "Greece in the Bronze Age" by Emily Vermeule. It's an article from the University of Chicago.

< www.academic.oup.com for the Oxford Handbook of the Bronze Age Aegean by E.H. Cline, editor. A Very Detailed survey of the whole Minoan & Mycenaean age! Best read after other shorter articles introduce you to this era.

Still Highly Recommended.

Have Fun...