ATTENTION: This blog is currently a work in progress, but I am sharing it due to popular demand. Star it and come back to it by the first week of January and it will be complete!
Learning ancient Greek is, contrary to popular belief, accessible and easy these days. The difficulty is often choosing the right course for beginners. In this blog post, l share the most popular courses and methods, both online and in paperback, and explain what to consider when choosing a book or a course to learn Classical Greek.
Disclaimer: This is an introductory overview to help you compare the courses, not a thorough academic review of each book.
This post contains affiliate links, which help me keep producing free resources at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, but I only ever recommend products that I would use and believe are worthwhile.
Reading method books
LOGOS. Lingua Graeca Per Se Illustrata by Santiago Carbonell Martinez
This is hands down the best book for learning Greek using the inductive-contextual method. For newcomers, that means you do not toil with grammar tables and explanations but can get to grips with Classical Greek straightaway through engaging stories.
The text is presented in such a way that the meaning of new words and structures becomes easy to grasp. Those familiar with Lingua Latina Per Se Illustrata will be familiar with the layout and the type of exercises included in each chapter: the focus is on communication and using the language actively.
The book builds up the vocabulary and grammar, but note that the rate of input means that some memorisation needs to take place alongside the reading, as there are not enough repetitions of the words - which is a point of difference with LLPSI.
Key points about LOGOS:
Completely written in ancient Greek
Beautifully illustrated by Asier Mendoza
Includes classical Greek grammar tables
Includes activities to practice the language
Diacritics (accents etc) carefully and thoroughly added, but quantities (macrons) are not marked
Engaging topics: the gods, mythology, the Greek family, the universe (including the planets), everyday life, politics amongst others.
No cultural background sections in English
The glossary at the back includes reference to places where the context will help understand the word, not a translation
Guidance by an expert teacher is recommended
Additional useful resources have been published alongside, including videos (NB: the pronunciation is modern).
Athenaze I by Maurice Balme and Gilbert Lawall
This book used to be the classic method of learning with the reading method. It combines the presentation of grammar and vocabulary with cultural background information articulated around well-written and engaging stories.
Every section starts with a prompt picture, followed by a choice of vocabulary to learn and comprehension and translation exercises. There is not much emphasis on using the Greek actively, and many of the manipulative exercises focus on grammatical drills. The explanations in English are easy to follow and useful to understand the grammar.
The book has recently been criticised for presenting an outdated view on slavery. In my view, this can be turned into a learning point by discussing the dynamics at play and the history of slavery with the students.
Key points about Athenaze:
Well-written and accessible reading in each chapter to practice the relevant vocabulary and grammar
Includes explanations in English that do not linger excessively on the grammar
Grammar tables included
Glossary at the back included (English to Greek and Greek to English) with translation and reference to chapter
Many resources are available online as supplement to the course, including readings and additional exercises
Stories revolve around everyday life but there are subplots on mythology (Theseus and the Odyssey)
Diacritics (accents etc) carefully and thoroughly added and, helpfully, quantities (macrons) have been marked
The level of difficulty moves on pretty quickly, so it is not best suited to younger students
Reading Greek by JACT
This is a good compromise between a reading approach and a traditional grammar-translation approach, especially if you use the additional Grammar and Exercises volume. The book is designed so that students will translate with the aid of the glossary, then work on grammar and vocabulary to finally return to the text for consolidation. However, the course can be used in other ways, and a more communicative approach to the texts is possible — with the help of a teacher. If you are looking for Greek that has been carefully written to help you jump to authentic texts seamlessly, this course works well, but plenty of practice and effort on a limited amount of text is needed to achieve this, which some students may find too hard and monotonous.
Key points about Reading Greek:
From the beginning, emphasis is placed on text and story, and attention to the cadence of phrases is clearly signalled at the beginning by linking devices
Range of relevant and interesting topics with a good amount of stories to work on them
Attention to authenticity is outstanding, and sources are given in each of the texts. This encourages students as they can see where they are heading
All diacritics are present except for long vowels
The level of difficulty is high from the beginning, and it is best suited to young adults and above
Glossary at the back has both the English translation and a note on where you can find it in the stories
Focus is initially on Athens, but Homer is later on introduced
You need to use (and purchase) a separate book for the grammar
Grammar-translation Method Books
Greek to GCSE 1 by John Taylor
This book covers the grammar needed for the OCR GCSE Latin examination.
ATTENTION: This blog is currently a work in progress, but I am sharing it due to popular demand. Star it and come back to it by the first week of January and it will be complete!
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