Adam Łukaszewicz

A barbarian among ancient texts
After a brief account of his personal experience as a translator, the writer (a professor
of classics, papyrology and archaeology at Warsaw University) investigates problems
and traps which a translator encounters in his work. Errors are human, but a special
gift and genuine education are indispensable to become a good translator. The author
emphasizes the importance of classical studies. Latin and Greek, much neglected in
our days, still belong to the foundations of the Western culture. Major historical
events in European history were often influenced by ideas inspired by the ancient
heritage. In a society largely ignorant of Greek, and even Latin, the translator of ancient
texts is not only a furnisher of caviar to the general but may sometimes indirectly
become a maker of history. The author comments on the current reception of classics
in Poland, taking into consideration the translators’ achievements in the past (for
example, the great poet Jan Kochanowski of the 14th century) and nowadays. Fidelity
is a necessary condition of acceptable translations. To conclude, the author calls for
respect for linguistic freedom of the translator as a writer and artist, whose talent may
sometimes rise above the common linguistic rules imposed on texts by the editors.
Translators should, however, be aware of their responsibility and they should not
forget that they are supposed to be skilful and meticulous craftsmen, always ready to
accept criticism of their readers.

The paper contains a brief insight into the beginnings of contacts between Rome and Egypt, especially during the reign of Ptolemy XII and at the beginning of the reign of his successors. The struggle for power in Alexandria is presented in the context of financial situation of the Ptolemies and of the beginnings of the Roman exploitation of the land on the Nile.