Ancient Greek Alive - 3rd Edition by Paula Saffire & Catherine Freis (Paperback)

About the Book

A newly revised edition of an innovative approach to teaching and learning classical Greek.

Book Synopsis

This innovative textbook offers students a dynamic introduction to classical Greek. It inspires a constructive sense of enthusiasm in the classroom while helping students master grammatical principles and reading skills.

Among the imaginative features of the book is a two-week introduction to spoken Greek, which immerses students in the sound and basic vocabulary of the language so that they are comfortable as they learn to read and write. (Conversational scripts are provided.) For its reading passages, Ancient Greek Alive uses engaging and even humorous stories drawn from folklore around the world and rendered freshly into classical Greek.

The book's grammatical explanations are unusually clear. Helpful, one-step-at-a-time exercises are incorporated into the lessons. Entire chapters are devoted to vocabulary review to underline its importance and provide rest stops. There are special sections on aspects of Greek culture. Students test their reading skills along the way on intriguing passages in original Greek texts, which range from Heraclitus and the New Testament to Diogenes and Greek gravestones.

Review Quotes

"Ancient Greek Alive is a good venture for any young-at-heart teacher who is disenchanted with traditional texts which leave students cold. [The book] has wonderful, witty stories of various origins, including the Far East, yet all in good classical Greek. These stories can be read swiftly by students of even average ability." -- Eliot Youngman, Mercer University

"Ancient Greek Alive is an innovative approach to learning Greek involving extensive reading and even some oral exercises. At the same time, the content is as rigorous and linguistically sophisticated as any traditionalist could ask for. This book should help teachers reconsider their teaching strategy and contribute to the health of our discipline." -- David Kovacs, University of Virginia

"Faculty in colleges and secondary schools considering a new textbook for beginning Greek are well advised to look at Saffire and Freis. In a way they give the best of both worlds, being traditional but with some innovations and some attention to oral work. The story-telling and reading emphasis are excellent and attractive. Saffire and Freis's enthusiasm for Greek and joy in teaching it bubble through each page." -- Scholia Reviews

"This textbook is nicely laid out for classroom study. . . . Appropriate for either high school or college use." -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review

About the Author

Paula Saffire is associate professor of classics at Butler University in Indianapolis. Catherine Freis is professor and chair of the department of classical studies at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.