Emily Wilson’s ‘Odyssey’ became a cultural flashpoint. Now, she’s retranslating the whole thing

Emily Wilson, a professor of classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, is set to release a retranslation of Homer's "The Odyssey" in 2026. This marks her second attempt at translating the epic poem, following her acclaimed 2017 edition which became a bestseller and sparked cultural debates. Wilson told the Associated Press that her new translation is a complete reworking, not a revision of her previous work.

She is currently halfway through the process. Wilson's previous translation was criticized for her frequent use of the term "slave," despite the nuanced terminology used in ancient Greek to distinguish between various forms of bondage. Her new version will be longer and more refined, better capturing the diverse social landscape of Homer's narrative.

The decision to retranslate such a significant work within a decade of the original publication is unprecedented, according to Kate Deimling, who heads the literary division at the American Translators Association. Wilson acknowledges the controversy surrounding her announcement and hopes that her academic peers will not "curse" her name due to the publication of two editions by the same translator.

Her editor at Liveright Publishing, Peter Simon, expressed enthusiasm for Wilson's new approach, noting her deep commitment to the project through her extensive research and dedication.