Cassius Dio, The Fall of the Roman Republic: Roman History, Books
36-40 (translation; introduction and notes by John Rich, Oxford
University Press (Oxford World's Classics), 2024
Epictetus, The Complete Works: Handbook, Discourses, and
Fragments (translation, introduction, and notes), The
University of Chicago Press, 2022)
‘There can be no better guide to developed stoic thought than this excellent book by Robin
Waterfield … W. does much
more than offer a translation. He provides a careful introduction which includes ‘Stoicism: a Sketch’ which gives a
masterly overview of orthodox stoic belief. … W. himself has spared no effort in excellence of exposition and commentary.
Copious well-referenced notes explain historical, mythical and literary allusions.
…
This is an excellent book, well-produced and presented and exceptional value. Our thanks are indeed due to
Waterfield and the University of Chicago Press for a stimulating work of scholarship’ – Ray Morris, Classics for All
‘Waterfield’s clear, readable translation brings out Epictetus’s
humour and conversational tone as well as his philosophical vision’ – Emily Wilson, London Review of Books
‘A scrupulously faithful rendition of both
the substance and tone of the original ... I am grateful for this new edition of Epictetus, not only for its deft
literary style but for Waterfield’s
erudite and helpful annotations. It is a privilege to have the works of this great thinker offered to us with such
excellence’ – Richard Smoley, Parabola
Marcus Aurelius,
Meditations: The Annotated Edition (translation, introduction, and
notes), Basic Books, 2021
Over nine
hundred customer reviews on amazon
'The new
edition by Robin Waterfield, a British classics scholar, has much to recommend it. The prose is wonderfully sober
and taut, the choices felicitous ... The volume's stand-out feature is its wide-ranging set of footnotes, offering
assistance to novice readers, insights that will intrigue specialists, and reformulations that clarify Marcus'
thoughts' - James Romm, Wall Street Journal
‘The full and accessible notes make this volume particularly useful for
those reading the work as life-guidance, as well as for other readers … The translation … aims at accuracy in
conveying the Greek meaning, while at the same time bringing out the content in accessible and expressive English.
… Waterfield’s version is highly effective in this aim: the line of thought is clear even in passages where Marcus’
thought processes are somewhat convoluted or oblique, and the English idiom chosen is widely accessible –
Christopher Gill, Classical Review
‘Of all the possible translations to read of Marcus
Aurelius’s Meditations, I was happy to read Waterfield’s. He’s a tremendous writer. I thoroughly enjoyed his
Greek magnum opus, Creators, Conquerors, and
Citizens, so I was looking forward to his translation of this text.
He did not disappoint. … If you are looking to read Meditations, and get an introductory
understanding of Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius and his world, I would highly recommend Waterfield's translation
of the book. Even scholars who are well versed in Stoicism would find Waterfield's translation offers
something new to the field and is well worth consideration’ – Sandra Alvarez, Ancient History
Magazine
‘The annotations fully flesh out the intentions and world view of
Aurelius, of course. But they work on a deeper level, too. By drawing connections to other ancient texts, as
well as more contemporary writers such as Juliana [sic] of Norwich
and Kurt Vonnegut,
Meditations: The Annotated Edition
liberates the book back into the wilds of literature itself. It transforms it from
a sort of anti-book into a work deeply embedded in the cross-referentiality of art’ – Scott Beauchamp, Washington
Examiner
‘Waterfield’s excellent translation and annotation help
the relevance and intimacy of the Meditations shine through
brightly’ – Kathleen Adamson, The Charity
Report
‘Waterfield’s annotation has substantially increased my
appreciation and understanding of this great work ... What a remarkable gift this book is! – Rick Muller,
Book Breve
Diodorus of Sicily: The Library, Books 16-20. Philip II, Alexander the Great, and the
Successors (translation, introduction, and
notes), Oxford University Press (Oxford World's Classics),
2019
Aristotle: The Art of
Rhetoric (translation; introduction and notes by Harvey Yunis), Oxford
University Press (Oxford World's Classics), 2018
‘This translation from Waterfield builds on a
series of readable and affordable translations from Oxford World’s Classics and will no doubt prove valuable
to both students and academics. Waterfield has given Aristotle his own colourful voice, … which will prove
both entertaining as well as informative to Oxford World’s Classics’ intended audience’ – Will
Coles,Bryn Mawr Classical Review
‘Fresh and literal’ – Paolo Crivelli, Phronesis
Plutarch: Hellenistic
Lives (translations; introductions and notes by Andrew Erskine),
Oxford University Press (Oxford World's Classics), 2016
Pseudo-Plutarch, Photius, and the Suda: The Lives of
the Attic Orators (translations; introductions and commentary by Joseph Roisman and Ian Worthington), Oxford University Press (Clarendon
Ancient History Series), 2015
Demosthenes: Selected
Speeches (translations; introduction and notes by Chris Carey), Oxford University
Press (Oxford World's Classics), 2014
‘The ideal introduction to one of the ancient world’s greatest orators’ – Peter
Jones, Classics for All
‘Eminently readable’ – Kostas Vlassopoulos, Greece & Rome
‘Waterfield’s translation is lively, readable and often colloquial … capturing his
renowned stylistic variety … a valuable resource’ – Guy Westwood, Classical Review
Polybius: The
Histories (translation; introduction and
notes by Brian McGing), Oxford University Press (Oxford World's Classics), 2010 (published as 'The Rise of
Rome', Folio Society, 2013)
‘A welcome translation
of the most frequently read books of Polybius' Histories … For classroom use and casual reading and
referencing ...Waterfield is by far superior [to the Loeb] … Throughout the translation, the reader feels as if one
were genuinely in the presence of the blunt and supremely confident Polybius. …the result is entirely convincing
... In short, this new translation of Polybius will be a valuable resource for teachers and students of Polybius
and Roman history. The authors deserve no small praise for permitting one of the most highly regarded ancient
historians, yet also one of the least read, speak to a new generation’ – John Noel Dillon, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
‘A very successful and enjoyable translation, which serves twenty-first century
readers immeasurably better than its predecessors’ – Lisa Hau, Histos
‘Waterfield’s translation must now rank as the best for modern readers’ – John
Marincola, Choice Review
‘An excellent book and one I would
recommend to people who want to read the classics but are intimidated because they think they are hard to
read’ – Patrick Shrier, Military History
US
Plato: Timaeus and
Critias (translations; introduction and
notes by Andrew Gregory), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 2008; ; Oxford Scholarly Editions
Online
Plato: Meno and Other
Dialogues (translation, introduction, notes), Oxford University Press
(Oxford World’s Classics), 2005; ; Oxford Scholarly Editions Online
Xenophon: The Expedition of
Cyrus (translation; introduction and notes by Tim Rood), Oxford University Press
(Oxford World’s Classics), 2005;
‘Robin Waterfield’s new translation doesn’t traduce [the clarity of the original]’
– Henry Day, London Review of Books
‘Robin Waterfield’s translation captures the epic quality of the original …
extremely easy to read’ – Steve Phillips, Brtish Army
Review
Five myths from Plato’s dialogues (translations, notes), in Catalin
Partenie (ed.), Plato: Selected Myths, Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics),
2004; Oxford Scholarly Editions
Online
Euripides: Heracles and Other
Plays (Alcestis, Heracles, Children of
Heracles, Cyclops; translations; introduction by Edith Hall; notes by James Morwood), Oxford
University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 2003; Oxford Scholarly Editions
online
Plato: Phaedrus
(translation, introduction, notes), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 2002;
; Oxford Scholarly Editions Online
Euripides: Orestes and Other
Plays (Ion, Orestes,
Phoenician Women, Suppliant Women; translations; introduction by Edith Hall; notes by James
Morwood), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 2001; Oxford Scholarly Editions online
The First Philosophers: The
Presocratics and the Sophists (translations, introductions, notes), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics),
2000; Questia ebook;
Audiobooks.com
Plutarch: Roman
Lives (translations; introductions and notes by
Philip Stadter), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 1999;
‘Waterfield is the obvious choice for both the Roman and Greek
lives, not only for superior annotation but for more accurate renderings [than the Penguin]’ – Steven Willett,
Syllecta Classica
Herodotus: The Histories
(translation; introduction and notes by Carolyn Dewald), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 1998
(History Book Club, Book of the Month Club, Reader’s Subscription, BCA) (Folio Society edition,
2020)
‘As with all of Waterfield’s translations,
the prose is lively, easy to read, and instantly engaging … Highly recommended’ – Joshua Mark, Ancient History Encyclopedia
‘Remarkably easy to read’ – Naples
Daily News
‘Fluent and readable’ – Morning
Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, Texas)
‘Waterfield’s prose is clear and
straightforward’ – Michael Dirda, Washington Post
Plutarch: Greek
Lives (translations;
introductions and notes by Philip Stadter), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 1998; Questia ebook;
‘A sparkling new translation … [The Lives] read extremely well. It is also a
distinguishing trait of Waterfield’s that in the interests of scholarship he will go to endless lengths to find the
mot juste’ – Paul Cartledge, Anglo-Hellenic Review
‘Accessible and enjoyable to read’ – Richard Evans,
Mnemosyne
‘Accurate and useable’ – Daniel Ogden, Classical Review
Xenophon: Hiero the Tyrant and Other
Treatises (translations of Agesilaus, Hiero,
Ways and Means (Poroi), On Horsemanship, On Hunting and
Hipparchicus; introductions and notes by Paul Cartledge), Penguin Books (Penguin Classics), 1997
(reissued with updates, 2006)
‘Excellent … Waterfield’s
prose almost manages to suggest, particularly in the Hiero treatise, something of the grace and persuasiveness the
ancient world found in [Xenophon]’ – Steven Willett, Syllecta Classica
Aristotle: Physics
(translation; introduction and notes by David Bostock), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 1996;
Questia ebook
‘Waterfield’s combination of readability and accuracy is skilful and attractive’ –
Trevor Saunders, Classical Review
Plato:
Statesman (translation; introduction and notes by Julia Annas),
Cambridge University Press (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought),
1995
Plato: Gorgias
(translation, introduction, notes), Oxford University Press (Oxford World’s Classics), 1994;
Questia ebook; Oxford Scholarly Editions Online
‘His translation reads clearly and easily, and his notes address the right issues’
– J.D.G. Evans, Classical Review
‘Very helpful introduction … the
translation is lively and clear, the explanatory notes are useful’ – Richard
Wallace, Greece and Rome
Plato: Symposium
(translation, introduction, notes), Oxford University Press (World’s Classics), 1994 (Thai edn., Amarin,
2013; Folio Society, 2015); Oxford Scholarly Editions Online
‘Waterfield does full justice to the Greek … Waterfield has implemented his
[translation] credo with success: he is able to negotiate the swings in tone … better than anyone since Jowett’ –
Steven Willett, Syllecta Classica
‘Aptly conveys the narrative subtlety of the Greek with admirable clarity’ –
Gary Alan
Scott, Ancient Philosophy
‘In this fluent and fast-moving translation W. captures the vibrant quality of
Plato’s writing and achieves an accurate version of the styles and tones of the original … An excellent work. The
translation is faithful to the Greek and yet refreshingly modern, and the text is supported by a valuable
introduction and commentary’ – Elizabeth Pender, Classical
Review
‘An unqualified success’ – John Kirby, Bryn Mawr Classical Review
‘This version reads extremely well;
clear, crisp, almost universally accurate, and extremely readable, it is in most respects a significant advance on
its competitors and deserves to become the standard English-language version for some time to come’ – T.M.
Robinson, Mouseion
Plato: Republic
(translation, introduction, notes), Oxford University Press, 1993 (World’s Classics, 1994; Book of the Month
Club, February 1994; Barnes and Noble, 1995; Folio Society, 2003); Questia ebook; Oxford Scholarly Editions
Online
‘I should not be surprised if this
translation comes in the next decade to dominate the English-speaking world’ – John Dillon, Hermathena
‘An idiomatic, lively, and thoroughly up-to-date Englishing of
Plato’s Republic …
succeeds beautifully in making engaging English out of Plato’s Greek. For this teachers of Greek philosophy owe him
gratitude’ – Thomas Tuozzo, Ancient
Philosophy
‘A vivid new translation … Plato helps any translator who is willing to listen to
him and Waterfield is an apt pupil. In his hands the Republic appears as a powerful intellectual novel’
– David Rankin, Philosophical Books
‘Fresh and lively’ – Chris Rowe, Phronesis
‘Waterfield is outstanding in his grasp of both the poetic, occasionally lyrical
quality in the prose and the philosophic content’ – Steven Willett, Syllecta Classica
‘Waterfield’s translation is certainly the best of
the Republic available. It is accurate and informed by deep philosophical understanding of the
text; unlike other translations it combines these virtues with an impressive ability to render Plato into
English that is as varied and expressive as is Plato’s Greek’ – Julia Annas, University of
Arizona
‘Translated in an easy, accessible style, as though these were people, not
textbooks speaking. The introduction is lucid and complete’ – E.N. Genovese, San Diego State
University
‘An excellent translation and introduction. The best I have seen’ – Tom
Christenson, Capital University
‘Waterfield’s translation is lucid and fluent and there is a good introduction …
this is a book not one page of which is boring’ – A.N. Wilson, The
Oldie
‘A fine new translation’ – Observer
‘Immensely pleasing … vigorous and dramatic’ – Stephen
Howe, New Statesman and Society
‘Academic and public libraries looking for an alternative to the standard Cornford
edition should consider this new translation’ – Library
Journal
‘Toujours claire, précise, très agréable à lire’ – Marie-Pierre
Noel, Revue des études grecques
‘Una versión realmente fresca y clara’ – A.M.
Casado, Estudios Filosoficos
Epicurus: Letter on Happiness (translation and biography;
introduction by John McDade, S.J.), Rider Books, 1993 (U.S. ed. Chronicle Books, 1996)
Plutarch: Essays
(translations; introductions and notes by Ian Kidd), Penguin Books (Penguin Classics), 1992 (four essays
reprinted as Plutarch: In Consolation to His Wife, Penguin Books (Penguin Great Ideas,
2008)
Xenophon: Conversations of
Socrates (translations of Apology, Memorabilia,
Symposium and Oeconomicus, with introductions and notes; Memorabilia and
Symposium are revisions of earlier versions by Hugh Tredennick), Penguin Books (Penguin Classics),
1990
Ps.-Iamblichus: The Theology of
Arithmetic (translation, introduction, notes; foreword by Keith Critchlow), Phanes
Press, 1988; ebook
‘W. … cannot be faulted in his easily flowing rendering’ – Ivor Bulmer-Thomas,
Classical Review
‘An authoritative translation … Waterfield has rendered an invaluable service … a
whole new era of scholarly debate [will be] opened up by Waterfield’s erudition and uncommon common sense’ – Ernest
G. McClain, City University of New York
‘A highly recommended and valuable
work’ – John Palmer, The Ley Hunter
‘Anatolius: On the Decad’,
Kairos Newsletter 1988, pp.
20-37 (translation, notes); reprinted with minor corrections in Alexandria 3 (1995), pp.
180-94
Plato: Hippias Major, Hippias Minor,
Euthydemus (translations, introductions, notes) in Plato: Early Socratic Dialogues (ed. Trevor Saunders), Penguin Books
(Penguin Classics), 1987
‘Amusing and lively’ – Elizabeth Belfiore, Ancient
Philosophy
Plato: Theaetetus
(translation, introduction, notes), Penguin Books (Penguin Classics), 1987 (reissued with updated bibliography,
2004)
‘First rate … a clear replacement, after more than fifty years, of Cornford’s
Plato’s Theory of Knowledge … The positive merits of W.’s book are: a clear, readable translation,
detailed separate section-by-section discussion of the text … detailed knowledge of, and engagement with, recent
specialist literature. A book which satisfies beginner and specialist alike may sound too good to be true; but W.
does have the ability to write clearly and simply on philosophical issues which are in themselves far from simple,
and it is this which makes his Theaetetus so accessible’ – Christopher Emlyn-Jones, Greece and
Rome
‘An enjoyable and readable translation’ – Hugh
Benson, Ancient Philosophy
‘A very usable translation and a
worthy addition to the Penguin list’ – Richard Stalley, Classical
Review
Plato: Philebus
(translation, introduction, notes), Penguin Books (Penguin Classics), 1982 (reissued with updates,
2006)
‘Presented by a lively master of the literature, within
the reach of everyone’ – Philip Howard, The
Times
All the above were translated from ancient Greek. Robin has also
co-translated a modern Greek novel:
Mario Routi, Orizon, Livanis, 2007
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