Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica

This is the first fully annotated English translation of Valerius Flaccus’ Argonautica, an epic poem written in Latin in the Flavian Age (69-96 CE) describing the myth of the quest for the Golden Fleece undertaken by Jason and the Argonauts, and of the tragic romance between Jason and Medea. The translation provides a vivid rendering of one of antiquity’s most celebrated adventure stories, while preserving for Anglophone readers a sense of the poem’s rich linguistic texture. The detailed annotation assists in understanding arcane mythographic and cultural references that might otherwise frustrate modern readers. An extensive introduction explains the poem’s formal and thematic elements, empowering the reader fully to appreciate and assess the poet’s artistic achievement. This new translation will be a crucial resource for anyone studying ancient epic and Roman literature in translation, as well as those with an interest in classical literature and myth more broadly. It will also prove of value as a guide for those undertaking the challenging task of reading the poem in the original Latin.