Ancient Greek
This text serves as an introduction to Classical Greek, appropriate for a first year course. This text is in the development phase. Please join the discussion if you'd like to contribute.
Before You Begin
As you probably already know, Greek and English use different alphabets. For this reason, you must ensure that your Internet browser can accurately render Greek lettering. If you don't, they will appear as gibberish. Below, you should see the first line of the Iliad.
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- μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Don't worry if you can't read the letters yet (that's the first lesson). You should see five words with a few types of accents. If you see question marks or boxes (even if you see a few Greek letters interspersed), you need to install a font which supports Polytonic Unicode Greek or upgrade your browser. If the size of the font makes reading uncomfortable for you, you may wish to adjust your browser or display settings.
Table of Contents
Chapter I: Introduction to Classical Greek
Chapter II: The Greek Noun
Chapter III: Verbs
External Links
- The Perseus Classics Library at Tufts university has texts, grammars, and dictionary tools.
- For more free language-learning materials on classical Greek go to Textkit's website at http://www.textkit.com
- Greek Language Course and Libraries at Elpenor; audio files, forums, select links.
- Once you have completed this course, Geoffrey Steadman provides a number of wonderful texts notated perfectly for second year students at his website. There are some mistakes in them, but he corrects them regularly and is happy for notes on what to fix.
- Great information on meter can be found at Aoidoi in the introduction to Greek meter.
