currently reading ...

sharing what I'm currently reading

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... De contemptu mundi.

by Bernhard of Cluny.

“De contemptu mundi” is a satirical poem by the monch Bernhard of Cluny, published around 1140.

In this poem he complains about the loss of morals in his times, not leaving out anyone - church, priests, nuns, women, the common people. Everyone gets their fair share of hate. Especially the first line “Hora novissima, tempora pessima sunt - vigilemus” is quite famous. It roughly translates to: “Our last hour and the worst times are here - let us be vigilant.”

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... Alexandreis.

by Walther of Châtillon.

“Alexandreis” is an epos by Walther of Châtillon, published around 1184.

In this epic poem Walther of Châtillon tells the ancient story of Alexander the Great. After a long time, mostly French authors of the 12th century retold the stories of ancient history and myths, such as the Trojan War. The “Alexandreis” was so popular at the time that it become one of the main works taught in schools, pushing great Roman authors like Vergil aside.

The particular verses I was given to translate are about the death of king Dareios and his last encounter.

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... Protagoras.

by Platon.

“Protagoras” ist one of the works of the Greek philosopher Platon that is considered truly Platonian. Platon lived from 427/28 until 347/8 b. C., but it is uncertain when “Protagoras” was first published.

The oldest copy of this philosophical dialogue is from 895.

I am fairly new to Greek, hence all the marking and notes. Here I am translating parts of a mythical story that Protagoras is telling.

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... De ingenuis moribus ac liberalibus studiis adulescentiae.

by Pietro Paolo Vergerio.

“De ingenuis moribus ac liberalibus studiis adulescentiae” by Pietro Paolo Vergerio. Published in 1402-03. I have no idea what edition my text is from because our teacher didn’t include a source in this homework paper. I am not used to translating Latin to English, so excuse all the notes. A proper English translation by Craig W. Kallendorf can be found as an E-book on Google Books.

Vergerio is talking about the new system of higher education during the period of Humanism where the old liberal arts of Antiquity have been re-established as the predominant teachings for the upper classes in Italian cities.

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... Radio Silence.

by Alice Oseman.

"You were always brave enough to get burned in the Fire." - p. 168

“Radio Silence”, a novel by Alice Oseman, published in 2016. My edition is from 2018. I also listened to the audio book of Oseman’s novel “Solitaire”, but I personally enjoyed this one more.

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... Historia regum Britanniae.

by Geoffrey of Monmouth.

Historia regum Britanniae (”The history of the kings of Britain”), also known as De gestis Britonum, a medieval text by Geoffrey of Monmouth, published around 1136. My text is from an edition of 2007.

Traditionally filed unter historiography, it contains a lot of fiction, myths and Geoffrey’s own imagination. An English translation by Aaron Thompson can be found online.

[currentlyreadingsomething]

... Atlas of Space.

by James Trefil.

“The word ‘galaxy’ comes from the Greek ‘galaxias’ which means ‘milky one’.” - p.73

“Atlas of Space” by James Trefil, a National Geographic magazine, published in 2018.

A beautiful edition of the National Geographic magazine in which our solar system, galaxies, black holes and other phenomena of the universe are explained in an easily understandable language, accompanied by stunning pictures.