CLASSICS National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped The Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 1994 Ancient Greece and Rome Cassettes Oresteia RC 8958 by Aeschylus read by Robert Zukerman 2 cassettes _Agamemnon_, _The Libation Bearers_, and _The Eumenides_, a trilogy of ancient Greek tragedies rendered in modern translation and introduced by Richard Lattimore. Fifth century B.C. Lysistrata RC 17877 by Aristophanes read by Alexander Scourby 1 cassette A comic Greek drama explores the absurdity and incongruity of the human sexual drive and devastatingly attacks war. During the Peloponnesian War, Lysistrata persuades the wives of Athens and Sparta to refuse sexual favors to their husbands until peace is concluded. Descriptions of sex. Fifth century B.C. Nicomachean Ethics RC 16562 by Aristotle read by Ryan Halloran 3 cassettes In this ethical treatise, Aristotle reasons that the ultimate goal of life is happiness; the highest happiness, however, is not achieved through pleasure, fame, or wealth, but through contemplation--which exercises the rational power peculiar only to humans. Fourth century B.C. The Poems of Catullus RC 26852 by Catullus read by Ronald B. Meyer 1 cassette Though the dates of birth and death of the Roman poet are uncertain, it is believed he was born in 84 B.C. and died about 54 B.C. The son of a wealthy citizen of Verona, he made Rome his home, where he was considered the most brilliant of a circle of young men who cultivated Greek literature. Catullus is best known for his lyric poems, many about "Lesbia." He expresses the rapture of first love, the anguish of disillusionment, and the pangs of bereavement. First century B.C. Three Plays RC 19168 by Euripides read by Alexander Scourby 2 cassettes The Greek playwright is seen in these plays as the skeptical questioner of his age. _Alcestis_ (438 B.C.) is an early play in which a queen agrees to die to save her husband's life. _Iphigenia in Tauris_ (413 B.C.) is a melodrama with a happy ending, and _Hippolytus_ (428 B.C.) is a tragedy portraying Phaedra's unreasoning passion for her chaste stepson, Phillip. The Histories RC 15123 by Herodotus read by Patrick Horgan 5 cassettes Shrewd analysis of geopolitics in the ancient world and a lively account of the decisive struggles between democratic Greece and totalitarian Persia. Fifth century B.C. The Iliad RC 9489 by Homer read by Alexander Scourby 3 cassettes Translation by Robert Fitzgerald of the Greek epic poem attributed to the Ionian poet, Homer. Relates the events of the few days of battle near the end of the Trojan War and focuses on the withdrawal of Achilles from the fight and its disastrous effects on the Greek campaign. Eighth century B.C. The Odyssey RC 14869 by Homer read by Alexander Scourby 3 cassettes A Greek epic poem that narrates Odysseus's ten years of adventures during his return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. This translation by Robert Fitzgerald won the 1961 Bollingen Award for the best translation of a poem into English. Eighth century B.C. Meditations RC 18831 by Marcus Aurelius read by Gordon Gould 2 cassettes The most famous discourse on the philosophy of Stoicism, which asserts that human happiness arises in part from man's acceptance of his duties and responsibilities. The author advises that one should accept calmly what cannot be avoided and perform one's duties as well as possible. 180 A.D. _The Loves_, _The Art of Beauty_, _The Remedies for Love_, and _The Art of Love_ RC 27993 by Ovid read by Ronald B. Meyer 2 cassettes In these poems composed in his late youth, the renowned Roman poet Ovid presents himself as a professor of the amatory arts and guarantees his pupils success if they will follow his instructions. Considered scandalous at the time they were written, these poems, in a deft translation by Rolfe Humphries, are enjoyed today for their charm, wit, and youthful exuberance. First century B.C. to first century A.D. Metamorphoses RC 26228 by Ovid read by Gordon Gould 3 cassettes In this collection of narrative poems, Ovid draws together most of the stories of Greek and Roman legend. The unifying theme is transformation, as Jove changes himself into a swan, Narcissus becomes a flower, and Midas is given the ears of an ass. First century B.C. to first century A.D. Portrait of Socrates: Being the _Apology_, _Crito_, and _Phaedo_ RC 17407 by Plato read by Alan Haines 2 cassettes Contains three works written by Plato, pupil of Socrates. The "Apology" recounts the speech Socrates made in his defense at his trial. In the "Crito," the philosopher discusses why he refuses to escape from prison. The "Phaedo" reports the last hours of Socrates before his execution and his discourses on the immortality of the soul. Fourth century B.C. The Republic RC 14875 by Plato read by Ralph Lowenstein 3 cassettes Classic dialogues between Socrates and his friends concerning justice in man and the state, the Platonic theory of ideas, and concepts of nature, poetry, and philosophy. Fourth century B.C. Ten Famous Lives RC 19910 by Plutarch read by Arnold Moss 1 cassette Condensed from the original Latin, these sketches are about Themistocles, Pericles, Alcibiades, Demosthenes, Alexander the Great, Fabius, Cato the Elder, Julius Caesar, Cicero, and Marc Antony. The editor's introduction summarizes the history of Greece and Rome. For high school and adult readers. First century to second century A.D. Antigone RC 17939 by Sophocles read by Anne Chodoff 1 cassette Creon, king of Thebes, declares his nephew a traitor and refuses to permit his burial. The determined Antigone defies her uncle Creon and performs a symbolic burial for her dead brother. Their clash of wills is the crux of Sophocles's classic tragedy. Fifth century B.C. Oedipus at Colonus RC 18412 by Sophocles read by Douglas Seale 1 cassette Classic Greek drama of the stormy life of King Oedipus. Formerly exiled by the people of Thebes, Oedipus is now sought by them because of a prophecy by the Oracle of Delphi. Oedipus spurns the Thebans, though, offering his body to Attica with the promise that Attica will have good fortune if he is buried in its soil. Fifth century B.C. Oedipus the King RC 15351 by Sophocles read by Patrick Horgan 1 cassette Warned by the Delphic oracle that he will kill his father and marry his mother, Oedipus tries to prevent this destiny. Fifth century B.C. The Aeneid RC 16338 by Virgil read by Gordon Gould 3 cassettes Roman epic based on the legend of Aeneas, the Trojan prince whose descendants were supposed to have founded Rome. Traces the ancestry of Julius Caesar to the gods, and makes the greatness of Rome the subject of divine intervention and prophecy. A verse translation by Allen Mandelbaum. First century B.C. Braille The Odyssey BR 2752 by Homer 6 volumes An epic poem describing Odysseus's voyage home after the fall of Troy. He encounters the Cyclops, a one-eyed giant; the enchantress Circe; and the Sirens, who bewitch men with their magical songs. Translation and introduction by Richmond Lattimore. Eighth century B.C. Electra BR 5439 by Sophocles 1 volume Turbulent Greek tragedy about Electra and her brother, Orestes, children of Agamemnon, who slay their mother and her lover to avenge their father's murder. Translated by Francis Fergusson. Fifth century B.C. Anthologies Cassettes Three Greek Plays RC 28843 translated and edited by Edith Hamilton read by Norman Barrs 1 cassette Verse translations of three ancient classics by a classical scholar, Edith Hamilton. She has written an introductory essay for each play and two general essays, one on translation and one on meters. Includes _Prometheus Bound_ and _Agamemnon_ by Aeschylus and _The Trojan Women_ by Euripides. Fifth century B.C. *** 6/1/95 (gft) ***