Source edition
Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica. Evelyn-White, Hugh G., editor. London: William Heinmann; New York: The Macmillan Co., 1914.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This didactic epic poem, addressed by Hesiod to his brother Perses, emphasizes the vital importance of justice and honest labor. The poem begins by explaining the origins of human suffering through the myths of Prometheus and Pandora, followed by the decline of humanity through the 'Five Ages', from the Golden Age to the current Iron Age, and the fable of the hawk and the nightingale warning against injustice. In the latter half, Hesiod provides practical advice on agriculture and seafaring, detailing the tools needed, seasonal tasks, and how to survive the harsh winter and scorching summer. The work concludes with various social and religious taboos, alongside a calendar of auspicious and inauspicious days. Ultimately, the poem guides the reader on how to live in harmony with the divine order of Zeus through diligent work and justice (dike).