AncientReads • Accessible classics
Read it. Hear it. Enlarge it. Access it your way.
An educational initiative of Educational Literary Resources, Inc.
Our goal is to help readers find not only the right classic and translation, but also a format they can actually use.
Free public-domain audio
LibriVox provides free public-domain audiobooks read by volunteers. Older translations of many Greek and Roman classics can be found there.
Free public-domain e-books
Project Gutenberg provides free public-domain e-books in several formats and includes guidance for reading on e-readers, including Kindle-compatible options. It also points readers to audiobook collections.
For blind and print-disabled readers in the United States
The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a Library of Congress program, provides free library service to eligible U.S. residents and citizens abroad who cannot read or use regular print because of visual, physical, or reading disabilities. Its BARD service provides downloadable books and magazines to registered patrons.
Accessible e-books for qualifying readers
Bookshare provides accessible e-books for people with qualifying print disabilities, including visual, physical, and certain reading disabilities. Eligibility rules apply.
Modern translations
Many newer translations remain under copyright. They may be available through public or academic libraries, commercial e-book stores, audiobook services, or publishers. We identify translation characteristics in the Ancient Classics Navigator, but we do not treat one retailer or format as the default.
Accessibility first
For screen-reader users, prefer reflowable EPUB or HTML when available rather than image-only scans. For low-vision readers, reflowable text can allow font enlargement and spacing changes. Braille users may benefit from NLS services, refreshable braille displays, or accessible e-books compatible with assistive technology.
External services have their own eligibility, copyright, availability, and account requirements. Educational Literary Resources, Inc. does not control those services and does not receive compensation for these links.