The Georgics: A Poem of the Land

One of the greatest poems of the classical world, Virgil's "Georgics" is a glorious celebration of the eternal beauty of the natural world, now brought vividly to life in a powerful new translation. 'Georgic' means 'to work the earth', and this poetic guide to country living combines practical wisdom on tending the land with exuberant fantasy and eulogies to the rhythms of nature. It describes hills strewn with wild berries in 'vine-spread autumn'; recommends watching the stars to determine the right time to plant seeds; and, gives guidance on making wine and keeping bees. Yet the "Georgics" also tells of angry gods, bloody battles and a natural world fraught with danger from storms, pests and plagues. Expansive in its scope, lush in its language, this extraordinary work is at once a reflection on the cycles of life, death and rebirth, an argument for the nobility of labour and an impassioned reflection on the Roman Empire of Virgil's times. Kimberly Johnson's lyrical verse translation captures all the rich beauty and abundant imagery of the original, re-creating this ancient masterpiece for our times.

ISBN 0140455639   DEWEY edition DC22 ISBN13 9780140455632 (What's this?)   Pages 224 Publisher Penguin Books Ltd   Weight (grammes) 171 Imprint Penguin Classics   Published in London Format Paperback   Height (mm) 198 Publication date 25 Nov 2010   Width (mm) 129 Translator Kimberly Johnson   Spine width (mm) 13 DEWEY 873.01   Academic level General

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