Best Ancient & Classical Literature Books of 2025

The Odyssey is a classic poem about war, family, and the yearning for home. Emily Wilson’s translation is a masterpiece, capturing the beauty of the ancient poem and its unforgettable characters. The hero, with his many disguises and moods, emerges as a more fully rounded human being than ever before. The translation is written in iambic pentameter verse and a contemporary idiom that echoes Homer’s music. The introduction explores the poem’s major themes, controversies about its origins, and its impact. The book includes maps, a pronunciation glossary, and extensive notes. This translation will change the way the poem is read in English.

This deluxe edition of Pride and Prejudice is a beautifully crafted and designed collectible edition that would make a perfect gift or addition to any library. Jane Austen's classic novel tells the story of two warring hearts in eighteenth century England, as Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy navigate their pride and prejudices towards each other. Despite being published over two centuries ago, the novel continues to enthrall readers to this very day. The leather-bound edition is a perfect keepsake for any avid reader of British and Irish literature.

The Practicing Stoic: A Philosophical User's Manual is a thought-provoking book that presents the core of Stoic philosophy in twelve lessons. Ward Farnsworth seamlessly integrates his observations with quotes from prominent Stoics to provide clarity and insight into living a good life. Farnsworth reminds us that we react to our thoughts and judgments, not events themselves, and encourages us to scrutinize our beliefs for irrationality. This book is a valuable resource for those seeking to gain perspective, wisdom, and consolation during challenging times. The Practicing Stoic is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their life through philosophy.

Meditations is a classic philosophical work by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The book is a collection of notes he kept for self-improvement, organized into 12 meditations that chronicle important periods in his life. It offers a modern understanding of stoic philosophy and provides insight into the mind of one of history's greatest leaders. SDE Classics has done an excellent job in presenting this work, making it accessible to a wider audience. Meditations is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy or ancient history.

Josephus: The Complete Works is a beautiful hardcover edition that collects all the extensive writings of Flavius Josephus, a first-century Pharisee, soldier, informant to the Romans, and writer. This book offers a behind-the-scenes look at biblical figures, the Dead Sea Scrolls community, Sadducees and Pharisees, and the War of the Jews, among other topics. It is an excellent resource for those who want to understand and immerse themselves in the Jewish history, culture, and community of Jesus. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient Jewish history and provides unique insights into the time of Christ.

The Imitation of Christ, published by Dover Publications, is a Christian devotional book that has been providing comfort and insight to both Protestants and Catholics for centuries. The author discusses various topics such as prayer, liberation from worldly inclinations, and the role of eucharistic communion in a devout life. The book's candid and conversational writing style makes it easy to read and understand, appealing to both new and seasoned readers. Overall, The Imitation of Christ is a timeless classic that offers guidance and inspiration to those seeking a deeper spiritual connection.

The Hebrew Reader is a great book for beginners to practice reading Hebrew, as it provides famous Hebrew texts, including sections from the Hebrew Bible, common phrases in Modern Hebrew, sections from the Prayer Book, and beloved poems and songs. The texts are presented linearly with 1-3 words per line, and each page has 3 columns, with the Hebrew in the inner column and the translation and transliteration in the outer columns. By reading this book, the reader can strengthen their Hebrew reading skills and become familiar with hundreds of vocabulary words from Ancient and Modern Hebrew.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu is a timeless classic that has been consulted by tacticians for over 2,500 years. The book outlines the elements of combat, strategy, and competition, and has become a go-to guide for business leaders, lawyers, and sports enthusiasts. The hardcover gift edition with dust jacket is designed for both portability and longevity, making it a great addition to any home or office library. Sun Tzu's strategic proposals have endured the test of time and continue to leave a lasting impact on politics and public life. Overall, The Art of War is a must-read for anyone interested in business leadership and strategy.

The Iliad and the Odyssey Boxed Set is a must-have collection for anyone who loves classic literature and fiction books. This striking and sleekly designed collector-worthy set brilliantly translates Homer's timeless epics with accuracy and without being out of reach for readers. Peter Green's translations capture the beauty and complexity, the surging thunder, and quiet lyricism of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The detailed synopses and notes are perceptive observations about Homer's characters and themes. Overall, this widely acclaimed collection is a treasured addition to every reader's bookshelf.

An entrancing new telling of ancient Greek myths. “This book is a triumph! . . . [A] magnificent retelling of the Greek myths.”―Alexander McCall Smith, author of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. “Move over, Edith Hamilton! Sarah Iles Johnston has hit the magical refresh button on Greek myths.”―Maria Tatar, author of The Heroine with 1001 Faces. Gripping tales that abound with fantastic characters and astonishing twists and turns, Greek myths confront what it means to be mortal in a world of powerful forces beyond human control. Little wonder that they continue to fascinate readers thousands of years after they were first told. Gods and Mortals is a major new telling of ancient Greek myths by one of the world’s preeminent experts. In a fresh, vibrant, and compelling style that draws readers into the lives of the characters, Sarah Iles Johnston offers new narrations of all the best-known tales as well as others that are seldom told, taking readers on an enthralling journey from the origin of the cosmos to the aftermath of the Trojan War.. Some of the mortals in these stories are cursed by the gods, while luckier ones are blessed with resourcefulness and resilience. Gods transform themselves into animals, humans, and shimmering gold to visit the earth in disguise―where they sometimes transform offending mortals into new forms, too: a wolf, a spider, a craggy rock. Other mortals―both women and men―use their wits and strength to conquer the monsters created by the gods―gorgons, dragons, harpies, fire-breathing bulls.. Featuring captivating original illustrations by Tristan Johnston, Gods and Mortals highlights the rich connections between the different characters and stories, draws attention to the often-overlooked perspectives of female characters, and stays true both to the tales and to the world in which ancient people lived. The result is an engaging and entertaining new take on the Greek myths.