The first grammar and exercise section in GE covers the Text of Section 1a–g. Consequently, the first task is to read and translate the Text of 1a–g as quickly as possible, pausing only over passages which cause difficulties, or passages which exemplify new grammatical points.

Methodological guidelines

Two general guidelines are important: (1) In GE read the grammar section for 1a–g and then in the Text underline or otherwise mark those sentences, clauses, phrases or words which illustrate those points that the grammar and exercises of 1a–g will test. (2) Go into detail on only those grammatical points that will appear in the grammar section of GE.

Of course, if students have enquiring minds, they may want to know more about the grammar of the text they are reading. For example, the Course sets to be learnt only the nominative and accusative of nouns to start with. Genitive plurals come in Section 2, genitive singulars in Section 8 and datives in Section 9. If the students enquire about genitive and dative forms ahead of time, briefly tell them but assure them that they will cover them in full detail when the time comes. It is certainly advisable that students learn the whole paradigm of nouns and adjectives when they first meet them.

Preface

The original Teachers’ Notes to Reading Greek was compiled by James Neville, formerly Head of Classics at Tonbridge Girls’ School, Kent, with additional help from John Muir, then of the King’s College London, Faculty of Education. James Neville had used Reading Greek (RG) from its earliest trial versions, and subsequently as Associate Lecturer for Open University Greek courses, in a wide variety of teaching conditions. The notes on the illustrations in the Text of RG (pp. 000–000) were contributed by Brian Sparkes, now Emeritus Professor of Classics at the University of Southampton, who was responsible for their selection; Professor Sparkes also wrote the notes on Attic vases and vase-painters (pp. 000–000). Professor Edward Phinney† of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst described how RG might be used in the American high schools. One final act of thanks was made to Professor W. K. Lacey† and his students at The University of Auckland, NZ, for the full index to the (first edition) Grammar volume of RG, which for technical reasons appeared in the Teachers’ Notes. This index, now revised and updated, appears in its proper place, the Grammar and Exercise volume of the second edition of RG.

The notes have now been revised by James Neville and the Director of the JACT Greek Course series, Dr Peter Jones, to bring them in line with the second edition of Reading Greek, while the notes on the illustrations have been revised by Professor Sparkes. My heartfelt thanks to them both. Dr. Iveta Adams did miracles copy-editing a complicated text. All errors of (c)om(m)ission are to be laid at my door.

Detailed notes on the illustrations are to be found in RG Text and Vocabulary pp. xvi–xxvi. The following paragraphs provide a more general background.

The illustrations have been chosen to accompany the texts with the purpose of enlivening the stories by introducing a visual dimension to the text. These visual images are taken from the vast body of Greek material that has survived. Most images do not make specific reference to the stories invented for the teaching of the language; they are affective accompaniments.

The majority are scenes on painted pottery (see below); others are a variety of images such as views (p. 3 (The Athenian Acropolis), p. 72 (Delphi), p. 144 (the Athenian agora, reversed)), maps (pp. 3, 28, 38, 227) and plans (p. 92). A few are drawn reconstructions (p. 46 (the Twelve Gods altar), p. 130 (the Athenian agora), p. 148 (the Eponymous Heroes monument), p. 204 (farm)).

A few images help to give particular aid to the background of everyday life (e.g. p. 57 (lamp), p. 53 (coins), pp. 61, 111, 114 (kitchen pots), p. 205 (bronze pitcher)) and of public life (e.g. p. 110 (water-clocks), p. 155 (voting tickets), cover of RG Independent Study (ostrakon)). Some are ‘art’ works, figured marble reliefs (p. 76 (votive of a cobbler), p. 175 (altar frame)), bronze dedications (p. 40 (statuette of Zeus), p. 53 (horse)), terracotta figurines (p. 64 (boots), p. 85 (comic actors), p. 117 (domestic scene)), and a gem (p. 76).