Friday ‘Between the Covers’ Café
Reading is the topic this week—but not just any kind of reading. I’m talking about bedtime reading. In other words, reading between the covers.
Before you turn the lights out at night, do you read in bed? What do you get out of it? Do you select books specially for bed? And where do you keep your nighttime books? Read more…
Antigone Project Phase II
Students from high schools in Greece, India, the Netherlands, and the United States share performances from Sophocles’ Antigone. Each group performed in the language of their choice, with complete freedom with regard to staging, costumes, and props. These videos are diverse in their interpretation, but common to all is the passion with which the students bring to life the ancient drama. They interpret with fierce clarity the struggle between individual conscience and legal authority, religious obligation and the rule of law, exposing the abuses of power and suffering associated with these conflicts. Read more…
Friday ‘Translators’ Café
Much has been written about translators and what makes their work effective (including this New Yorker article by Daniel Mendelsohn).
Before I read the Iliad for the first time, I had been reluctant to grapple with such a lengthy and archaic poem. So to make the job less daunting, I chose the translation by E.V. Rieu because it was said to be smooth and flowing. I then wondered if other translators would alter my perfect Iliad experience. But if I’m going to slow-read a passage, I much prefer the Butler/Nagy version. Let’s hear which translators you prefer, and why. What makes a translation work for you? What turns you off? Read more…
Friday ‘Mothers’ Café
Mother’s day is Sunday May 14 in many parts of the world. To mark the occasion, let’s name notable mothers in ancient Greek works, and other works too.
Now, “notable mothers” doesn’t necessarily mean good mothers. For instance, the mother(s) you choose might be notable for being a really bad parent, or her mothering prowess might be debatable. So, when you post your choice, please tell is what kind of a mother she was. Read more…
Monthly Round-up: April 2017
Whether you are new to the group, or would like to catch up with items you might have missed or want to revisit, welcome to this month’s round-up of content, community, and conversation at Kosmos Society and CHS. You can find resources on Homeric poetry, video discussions on gifts in Herodotus and Odyssey, conversations on power, citizenship, and poetic conventions, and dialogues on Socrates and a selection of favorite passages. Read more…
Friday ‘Genie App’ Café
You’re familiar with those old genie jokes? You know, a person picks up an old lamp or bottle, rubs it, and Poof!—out pops a genie who gives you three wishes. Well this week, the genie has generously decided to give each of you three wishes. Of course, old maps and bottles aren’t so cool anymore, so let’s go with a Genie app. Much more cool and practical. Read more…
Book Club | May 2017: Virgil Aeneid Books 5 & 6
“In Latium you must subdue a tough race, harshly trained. Yet, first, go to the infernal halls of Dis, and in deep Avernus seek a meeting with me, my son. For impious Tartarus, with its sad shades, does not hold me, I live in Elysium, and the lovely gatherings of the blessed. … Then you’ll learn all about your race, and the city granted you.“ Join the Book Club discussion on Aeneid 5 & 6! Read more…
CHS Online Open House | with Gregory Nagy
We were excited to welcome back Gregory Nagy of Harvard University, Francis Jones Professor of Classical Greek Literature and Professor of Comparative Literature and the Director of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington, DC. This discussion focuses on Virgil’s Aeneid, Books 4 and 6. Read more…
