It's here! (Emily Wilson's Iliad, of course)

I have been eagerly anticipating Emily Wilson's translation of The Iliad since I read her translation of The Odyssey. I enjoy a comparative look at translation, whether between mine, the societal standard, and that of recent work. For instance, having read Vergil's Aeneid from the Latin itself, I have been able to craft my own translations and analyze the ways in which they overlap with and diverge from those within translation studies. I feel a similar way when I converse in Spanish; I find it fascinating that one person's choice to express themself in a certain manner can be so similar to or so far from someone else's. This aspect of personal choice reinforces to me how deeply intentional Wilson is as a translator.

I rushed to Barnes and Noble on September 27, 2023, the first day on which I could preorder a copy of Wilson's Iliad to pick up after school. The second copy in my hands is for my Latin teacher; one may ask why I chose to give a translation of an epic written originally in Greek to the person with whom I translate Latin, and to that I respond, Emily Wilson's scholarship should be brought across contexts and shared with whomever will appreciate it!

Emily Wilson extends female empowerment in the Classics while simultaneously raising awareness for the contributions which other women have made to the field of translation. One of the defining characteristics that I love about her is how she refuses to call herself "the first woman to translate the Odyssey," a title to which she is constantly attributed. Wilson is, in fact, the first woman to have published a translation of the Odyssey into modern English; this distinction reminds the world of Classics that she is one of many women who, although less recognized than their male counterparts, have dedicated time to study antiquity.

Throughout this past summer, I wrote and researched a twenty-two page paper (which can be accessed on TCIC's "research" website page) on the reception of minoritized classicists and translators. Emily Wilson came up at all stages of my scholarly process. She is vocal about her support for women in Classics and provides a much-needed sense of urgency in the cause for inclusivity. I implore you all to check out, not only her translations, scholarly articles, and publications, but also, her Twitter threads! She embraces this alternative information-sharing medium to share her ideas in a more direct, interrogative, and conversational setting.

Now that I have the decadent hardcover copy of her Iliad, I look forward to sharing my opinions and analysis on The Classics in Color!

P.S., I would love to discuss the Epic with anyone who is interested :)