Works and Days

Hesiod uses epithets also typically associated with the gods and goddesses in epic poetry. Zeus, lord of the sky and king of the gods, is “the cloud-gatherer” (38), “the resourceful” (40), “son of Kronos” (41), and “the aegis-bearer” (56). Messenger god and patron of thieves, Hermes is “the go-between” and “the dog-killer” (39), the latter because as patron of thieves he may be obliged to kill watch dogs. Hephaestus is “renowned,” Athena “pale-eyed,” and Aphrodite “golden” (38-39). Prometheus is the “son of Iapetos” (38). Hesiod also uses epithets for dawn (“rose-fingered”) and the sea (“wine-faced”) (55).

As a didactic poem, “Works and Days” features numerous aphorisms. Examples are peppered throughout the text, including: “A man fashions ill for himself who fashions ill for another, and the ill design is most ill for the designer” (44); “Do not put things off till tomorrow and the next day” (49); “Seek no evil gains; evil gains are not better than losses” (47); “Good order is best for mortal men, and bad order is worst” (51); “Observe due measure; opportuneness is best in everything” (57); and “If you speak ill, you may well hear greater yourself” (58).