Emily Wilson Plans Complete Odyssey Retranslation

Classical scholar Emily Wilson is undertaking a complete retranslation of Homer’s The Odyssey, not a revision of her 2017 edition, and says she is about halfway through. She argues the new translation will be longer and offer a more nuanced portrayal of ancient social worlds, correcting earlier choices such as the broad use of the term “slave.” The move is described as exceptionally rare and controversial within translation circles, since most revisions are incremental rather than full retranslations within a decade of a successful edition. Wilson attributes the updated approach to her evolving scholarship and improved methods, which she believes capture more accurate social hierarchies and language nuances. In addition to the retranslation, she is releasing a new collection of essays on ancient literature, reflecting a broader scholarly push around her work. Publishers, translators, and educators are weighing the implications for teaching and the reception of two recent editions by the same translator.