The Modeled Ship | Part 2: The spectator on the aft deck, and the histopedē (mast step)
A clay model found in a tomb at Amathos tells us the story of a man who comfortably sits on the back of his ship without a helm, having such a clear vision over the well-built ship—and where it is going to—that we could call it a modeled scene of a theōriā: the figure being a spectator who looks with his eyes and his mind: a state pilgrim [theōros]. Read more…
Ancient Greek for pre-school children: An interview with Paraskevi Foti
Paraskevi Foti has written a doctoral dissertation on teaching ancient Greek to pre-school children in Greece, using Aesop’s Fables, and music. Here, she shares some insights from her research. Read more…
Homeric Greek | Odyssey 1.158–168: Ionic forms, metrical slots, and precious fabrics as exchange goods
In this segment Gregory Nagy (Harvard University), Leonard Muellner (Brandeis University), and Douglas Frame (CHS), continue to read, translate, and discuss Odyssey 1.158–168, discussing differences between Ionic forms in Homer and their Attic counterparts, formulas in particular metrical slots, and the gift-giving of precious woven fabrics. Read more…
Book Club | July 2018: Argonautica, Books 1 & 2
“Beginning with thee, O Phoebus, I will recount the famous deeds of men of old, who, at the behest of King Pelias, down through the mouth of Pontus and between the Cyanean rocks, sped well-benched Argo in quest of the golden fleece.”
In July and August we will be reading the complete Argonautica by Apollonius of Rhodes. This month we will read Books 1 and 2. Discussion starts in the forums, and hangouts will be on Tuesday, July 31st at 5 a.m. EDT and/or 11 a.m. EDT. Read more…
Homeric Greek | Odyssey 1.163–168: comparatives, the lost homecoming, and Telemachus’ misery
In this segment Gregory Nagy (Harvard University), Leonard Muellner (Brandeis University), and Douglas Frame (CHS), read, translate, and discuss Odyssey 1.163–168. Topics include: importance of being swifter rather than richer; keinos as a marker of absence/presence; Homeric perfect in direct speech and the homecoming that has been lost; and Telemachus’ despondence. Read more…
Servitude | Part 2: Male servants in Homer
In part 1 we looked at female captives, slaves, servants, and non-family members of the household as depicted in Homeric epic. In this post we look at their male counterparts. We start with Eumaios, whose story provides an example of how a servant was brought into a household. Read more…
Homeric Greek | Odyssey 1.156–162: rotting bones, neglected rules of reciprocity, and powers of particles
In this segment, Gregory Nagy, Leonard Muellner, and Douglas Frame read, translate, and discuss Odyssey 1.156–168. Topics include rotting bones, neglected rules of reciprocity, and powers of particles. Read more…
Fathers and Sons in Epic and Lyric
What is the role played by fathers and sons in ancient Greek epic and lyric? Are fathers good role models? Do they show or teach their children how to behave or function? What kind of relationships do we witness in the texts? Are immortal and mortal fathers portrayed in similar ways? Read more…
