Georgics

Virgil's affectionate poem of the land brings us the disappointments as well as the rewards of the countryman's year-round devotion to his crops, his vines and olives, livestock great and small, and the complex society of his bees. Part agricultural manual, part political poem and allegory, The Georgics' scenes are real and vivid, allowing the reader to feel the sights, sounds, and textures of the ancient Italian landscape.

This lauded new translation has been written by Peter Fallon, who, as a farmer and a poet, is uniquely suited to the task. It is coupled here with an introduction and notes by the classical scholar Elaine Fantham. Fantham's introduction considers Virgil's life and poetry in its historical context, while her notes gloss the many classical and mythological allusions. The combination of a faithful and lyrical translation with well-researched contextual information makes this edition the best possible introduction to Virgil's masterpiece. It is sure to delight all lovers of poetry and Renaissance literature.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Peter Fallon grew up on a farm near Kells in County Meath. He is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, where he was Writer Fellow in 1994. He founded The Gallery Press in 1970 and has edited and published more than 300 titles. His own books include News of the World: Selected and New Poems (1978) and Tarry Flynn, a dramatization of the novel by Patrick Kavanagh (2004).