Harry Potter available in ancient Greek

LONDON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A British teacher has spent one year of his life translating the first Harry Potter book into classical Greek.

Andrew Wilson, from Bedford, told the BBC it is the longest text in 1,500 years to have been translated into the ancient language.

He began the project after reading an article in Britain's Daily Telegraph that the publishers were seeking a translator.

Said Wilson: "On a whim, I wrote to the publisher and said 'I can do that' as a kind of joke. I think what the official line is, is that it can be used in schools to encourage people to learn Greek. Having got kids reading English, JK Rowling is quite keen to have them reading Latin and reading Greek."

The translation had its challenges -- especially finding Greek words for Quidditch, bludger and snitch and other J.K. Rowling word inventions.

The book will be published later this year, with "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in Irish Gaelic.