Swollen seas, erotic monsters, Greek passion gone Latin, deftly

This 1st-century AD Latin version of the earlier Greek epic features exotic lands, wondrous monsters and a sea voyage over swells of young love. Valerius Flaccus lent sharp Roman refinements and erotic passion to the tale, which are skillfully sustained in this careful and appealing modern translation in English verse.

Apollonius Rhodius' epic poem Argonautica, written in Greek during the 3rd century BC, has become the de facto standard version of the story of Jason and the Argonauts and their quest for...