Women Rewriting the Classics

Readers can’t get enough of new interpretations of classic mythology and other epic stories like The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker or Madeline Miller’s Circe. When it comes to classic stories like The Odyssey, there are so many types of adaptations, retellings and histories from women that go behind the scenes of some of the most iconic myths. Check out these captivating retellings that bring new and fresh perspectives to legends.

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For centuries, The Odyssey has enthralled readers with its unforgettable tale of adventure. Follow Odysseus and his crew as they outsmart a Cyclops, resist the Sirens' deadly song, and confront the mythical creatures that stand between them and home. Told in beautiful verse, this enduring epic invites you to embark on the legendary voyage back to Ithaca.

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Emily Wilson takes readers on a tour through the ancient world for an entertaining examination of Greek and Roman literature and their impact on our modern world.

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By one of, if not the most compelling writers of history, SPQR tells the story of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire like never before, giving fresh perspective and creative nuance that refreshes one of the most talked-about periods of history.

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Centering on the women often villainized or pushed to the side, this book flips the narrative on its head, giving the women the same weight as the men in classic Greek myths. Natalie Haynes’ brilliant book makes readers question why they were so quick to accept the stories they’ve been told.

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Weaving literary elements with historical evidence, Emily Hauser explores the complex and powerful women of both Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey in Penelope’s Bones.

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 Have you ever wondered what sparks the modern fascination with the ancient world? Mary Beard analyzes the obsession with art and ancient traditions from Greece and Rome and what it really means to be considered “classic.” Featuring her signature wit and thoughtful insight on ancient ideas, Beard illuminates the present with the wonder of the past in Talking Classics.

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Emma Soughton retells the history of Rome through the eyes of the female figures who were often forced to the background in the ancient world. This is the history of those who built armies, led independent lives and sparked rebellion in a world where they were misunderstood.

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An in-depth biography of Mithradates, the infamous king, rebel and poisoner who defied the Roman Empire and challenged the power dynamics in the first century. Adrienne Mayor recounts Rome’s most relentless and misunderstood foes in The Poison King.

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Adrienne Mayor’s Greek Fire, Poison Arrows, and Scorpion Bombs is a fascinating look at the dark, deadly and unconventional weapons used by ancient cultures, and a terrific companion volume to The Poison King.

 

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Edith Hamilton vividly captures the glory of Greece and the splendor of Rome in The Greek Way and The Roman Way. With the works of Greek and Roman authors as literary guides to the ancient civilizations, Hamilton expertly navigates the art, philosophy and history of Greece and Rome to paint a colorful new picture of empire.

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Edith Hall’s Introducing the Ancient Greeks takes 2,000 years of Hellenic history to boldly celebrate Greek accomplishments and highlight how and why they were uniquely poised to have an enduring impact on the world. Pairing expertise and wit, this is an engaging must-read filled with little-known facts and delightful anecdotes.

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Emily Wilson made the news with her 2017 translation of The Odyssey. She brings a fresh take to one of our other oldest tales, inviting in new readers.