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Secondary sourceArtifact1677

Title Page of The Workes of Homer, Translated by Thomas Hobbes

1677

An engraved title page for Hobbes's 1677 translation of Homer, combining classical imagery of Homer and warriors with Hobbes's own portrait.

This title page, showing Hobbes's portrait, documents his late career as translator of Homer's works.

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Engraved title page reading 'The Workes of Homer Engl: by T: Hobbes', with a bust of Homer above, two armoured warriors with spears flanking the title, and an oval portrait of Hobbes below. Imprint reads London, printed for W. Crooke, 1677.
Title page for The Workes of Homer, translated by Thomas Hobbes, line engraving, 1677. Wellcome Collection, London.

About this source

What it is

This engraved title page, dated 1677, was made for The Workes of Homer Engl: by T: Hobbes, printed in London for W. Crooke. It shows a bust of Homer above the title, two armoured warriors representing Greece and Troy flanking it, and an oval portrait of Hobbes below. It is held by the Wellcome Collection.

Why it matters

The page is a record of Hobbes's late-life work translating Homer's Iliad and Odyssey into English, a project that gave him a public identity beyond his political philosophy. The classical figures and warriors advertise the subject of the book, while Hobbes's portrait ties the translation to his authorship and reputation.

Look closer

  • Why combine a bust of Homer, armed warriors, and a portrait of the translator on one page?
  • What does the choice of imagery tell you about how Homer's epics were understood at the time?
  • What is missing from this page that might tell us about Hobbes's political ideas?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Hobbes on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Line engraving portrait of Thomas Hobbes, a man with long wavy hair, a large white collar, and dark robes, shown in an oval frame inscribed with his name in Latin. Below is a Latin inscription and the printer's line 'London, Printed for Will. Crooke'.Painting

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Portrait of Thomas Hobbes, Line Engraving

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