About This Site

Purpose

Find a translation of The Iliad or The Odyssey you'll enjoy reading. Instead of relying only on reviews, this tool lets you experience different styles directly. Compare short, anonymous passages, indicate your preference, and get guidance towards a version that fits you.

How It Works

• Select a work on the homepage and click "Start Comparing".
• You'll see the same short passage in two different translations (A and B), selected randomly and shown anonymously.
• Read both versions and vote for the style you prefer using the buttons ("A is better", "B is better", or "Tie").
• Once you vote, the translator names for that pair are revealed.
• Use "New Round" to continue comparing different random passages and translators.
• The "View Results" page tracks your votes for each book, helping you see if clear preferences for certain translators emerge over multiple comparisons.

Your Data & Privacy

What happens to my votes?

All votes you cast while comparing translation passages are saved only on your computer, within your web browser's local storage. This data is not sent to any central server, and it remains private to you on your current device and browser.

You can view and delete your voting history for each book on its respective "View Results" page.

Are cookies used?

No, this website does not use cookies for tracking or any other purpose.

What about future global results?

We have plans to potentially implement a feature showing aggregated, anonymous global results and analysis from all users. This feature is not yet available.

Importantly, any votes you cast now (which are stored locally) will NOT be automatically included in any future global data set. If and when a global results feature is introduced, a new system for collecting that data (likely requiring your explicit consent) would be implemented separately.

Copyright and Fair Use

This site displays brief excerpts from various translations of literary works. While many older translations are in the public domain, some contemporary translations included here are protected by copyright.

The use of these short passages is intended solely for non-commercial educational purposes. The goals are twofold: firstly, to allow users to compare different translation styles and make informed decisions about which version they might prefer to read in its entirety; secondly, to help give attention to valuable public domain translations that may have fallen out of common view. We believe this limited, transformative use constitutes 'fair use' under applicable copyright law.

No substantial portions of any copyrighted work are reproduced, and this site is not intended to replace purchasing or borrowing the full translations. If you are a copyright holder with concerns about the use of an excerpt, please contact us via our contact form.

Contact

Feedback, questions, or copyright inquiries? Please use our contact form.

Important Notes