Founded in 1919 with a mission to create an unparalleled library of classical texts, the Paris-based house Les Belles Lettres publishes the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of ancient Greek and Latin authors, known as the “Budé Collection.” To date, the collection contains over 820 volumes and offers fine editions of such founding texts as Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, Thucydides’ Peloponnesian War, Plato’s complete works, and Virgil’s Aeneid.

In 2002 Les Belles Lettres established direct contact with its many North American readers. We crossed the Atlantic and opened an office in Baltimore, Maryland.  Upon doing so, we felt it necessary to publish our first book in English – a book that would embody our love of the classics. And so came out of the press The Essential Classics.

To get informed about Les Belles Lettres’ latest releases and to view our complete catalogue, visit us at www.lesbelleslettres.com. If you should have any questions, please feel free to contcat us.