"... Sinis used to take hold of pine trees and draw them down. All those whom he overcame in fight he used to tie to the trees, and then allow them to swing up again. Thereupon ... the bound man...was torn in two. This was the way in which Sinis himself was slain by Theseus." I looked for examples of myths, rituals, and sacred spaces associated with trees and wood. Read more
"Hereupon Jason snatched the golden fleece from the oak, at the maiden bidding; and she, standing firm, smeared with the charm the monster's head... so at that time did Jason uplift the mighty fleece in his hands; and from the shimmering of the flocks of wool there settled on his fair cheeks and brow a red flush like a flame." This month we complete our reading of Argonautica with Books… Read more
"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… Read more
Classical Inquiries has published an article by Gregory Nagy asking, "What is on Homer’s mind?" In that posting, Nagy argues that "all humans have on their minds both the ship Argo and the hero Odysseus." A key word for Nagy's argument is merimna, which he defines as a 'care, concern, a troubled thought', or even 'a song that is on one's mind'. We are happy to share a curated selection of passages designed to help readers… Read more
