Why You Should Read The Greek Classics Now

Why spend time with texts written more than two thousand years ago?

The answer is simple: Greek classics provide us with a vivid glimpse into the life, thoughts, and emotions of the ancient world by posing questions that remain deeply relevant today.

The Greeks explored timeless dilemmas — law versus morality, duty versus love, fate versus free will — in ways that still feel strikingly modern. Their works didn’t just entertain; they laid the foundations of storytelling traditions that shape novels, plays, and films even now.

Think of Ali Smith’s Girl Meets Boy, which reworks Ovid (who himself was deeply inspired by Greek poets), or Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation of The Odyssey. Greek stories are not relics; they continue to breathe life into contemporary art.

In short, reading Greek classics isn’t just studying the past. It’s engaging with stories and questions that have never lost their relevance.

So, where should you begin?

1. The Odyssey by Homer - 3.9/5

Perhaps the most famous of all Greek works, The Odyssey recounts the epic journey of Odysseus back to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Beyond being a gripping adventure, it raises questions about leadership, loyalty, and human motivation.

Recommended translation: The Odyssey, translated by Emily Wilson (2017) – clear, modern, and highly readable, or the more recent translation by Daniel Mendelsohn (2025)

If you’re up for a challenge, dive into Homer’s The Iliad, which recounts the Trojan War. I recommend starting with Caroline Alexander’s 2015 translation.

2. Antigone by Sophocles- 3.7/5

A short but powerful tragedy. Antigone defies King Creon to bury her brother, believing it’s the morally right thing to do. The play explores civil disobedience, the tension between personal duty and political authority, as well as themes of gender and familial relationships.

Recommended translation: Antigone, translated by E.H. Plumptre or, for a more modern version, F. Storr in the Oxford World’s Classics series.

3. Medea by Euripides - 4/5

Few ancient works still feel as unsettling as Medea. Betrayed by her husband, Medea confronts unbearable emotions and commits acts that challenge our ideas of justice and vengeance.

Recommended translation: Medea, translated by James Morwood (Oxford World’s Classics, 1997)

4. The Histories by Herodotus - 4/5

Often called “the first historian,” Herodotus set out to investigate the wars between Persia and Greece. The result is an extraordinary mix of history, storytelling, travel writing, and myth — the very beginning of the history genre as we know it.

Recommended translation: The Histories, translated by Robin Waterfield (Oxford World’s Classics)

5. Meno by Plato - 3.9/5

For those curious about philosophy, Meno is an engaging dialogue where Socrates debates whether virtue can be taught. It’s old-fashioned, argumentative, and surprisingly fun to read — a window into the beginnings of Western philosophy.

Recommended translation: Meno, translated by G.M.A. Grube, revised by C.D.C. Reeve (Hackett Publishing)

Greek Classics | A Starting Point

This list is just a beginning. Greek classics are vast, ranging from lyric poetry (like Sappho’s fragments) to the grand tragedies of Aeschylus and the witty comedies of Aristophanes. Each work opens a new perspective on what it means to be human.

Which Greek classics have you read, and which would you recommend others to start with? Share your thoughts — the Greek classics are a source of inspirationthat’s been going on for 2,500 years, and it’s far from over.