The Kosmos Society

Recent

Book Club | September 2023: Selections from Moralia

In the beginning, especially, married people ought to be on their guard against disagreements and clashes, for they see that such household vessels as are made of sections joined together are at the outset easily pulled apart by any fortuitous cause, but after a time, when their joints have become set, they can hardly be separated by fire and steel. from ‘Advice to Bride and Groom’, translation by F. C.… Read more

A new beginning for Kosmos

Galanthus nivalis, a flower that blooms in January and is native to Greece and the surrounding region. The Kosmos Society’s sponsoring institution, the Harvard University Center for Hellenic Studies, will be phasing out its support during the next two months such that by October 1, 2023, Kosmos will be fully independent of the Center. In practical terms, what this means is that you should watch this space for further information… Read more

Book Club | August 2023: Alexander the Great, part 2

Alexander saw that the campaign against the Gandaridae would not be easy, but he was not discouraged. He had confidence in the fighting qualities of his Macedonians, as well as in the oracles which he had received, and expected that he would be victorious. He remembered that the Pythia had called him “unconquerable,” and Ammon had given him the rule of the whole world. 17.93.4, tr. Oldfather For August we… Read more

Summer for the ancient Greeks

It’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and for many regions there have been severe heatwaves. Even the Acropolis in Athens had to be closed to visitors in the hottest part of the day. And with the wildfires raging in many places we hope everyone is staying safe. So we wondered what we could find in the ancient Greek texts about summer. The ancient Greeks tried to explain the seasons; for… Read more

Gallery | Alexander the Great

To accompany our July–August Book Club readings about Alexander the Great, here is a gallery of just a few of the many images, ancient and more modern, depicting Alexander. Plutarch, in his ‘Life of Alexander,’ says: The outward appearance of Alexander is best represented by the statues of him which Lysippus made, and it was by this artist alone that Alexander himself thought it fit that he should be modelled.… Read more

Book Club | July 2023: Alexander the Great, part 1

Alexander accomplished great things in a short space of time, and by his acumen and courage surpassed in the magnitude of his achievements all kings whose memory is recorded from the beginning of time. In twelve years he conquered no small part of Europe and practically all of Asia, and so acquired a fabulous reputation like that of the heroes and demigods of old. But there is really no need… Read more

Women in Theophrastus’ Characters

In April 2023 the Kosmos Society Book Club read Theophrastus’ Characters[1]. Wikipedia says that Theophrastus lived in Athens from 371–280 BCE, and was a pupil of Aristotle. Diogenes Laertius[2] gives us a description of Theophrastus’ life, and also a copy of his will. There is also a bibliography of his writings, although very little has survived. One of the surviving texts is Characters, which consists of thirty descriptions of behaviours… Read more

Father’s Advice

The latest Kosmos Book Club Discussion included a passage about a father giving advice to his son. An experienced father was lending his knowledge to his child. Ovid’s story of Phoebus and Phaethon inspired us to look at other passages from antiquity with father figures advising their children. In the production of children both [parents] share alike; but each makes a different contribution to their upbringing. It is the mother… Read more

Sceptered Kings

A few weeks ago I watched the coronation of a king. At one point I noticed the king holding in his hands not one but two scepters. The mental image of Agamemnon holding his scepter involuntarily jumped into my thoughts and disturbed me briefly. Although there is probably no direct link, I decided to explore certain symbols of royalty in Homeric and Hesiodic poetry. Scepters were used in the ancient… Read more

Book Club | June 2023: Bring Your Own Book

It’s June, so the choice is over to you. As in previous years, you can bring your own selection, one book that you like, or dislike, and share your thoughts about it. You can read any book (or part of a book) you like related to the ancient Greeks, whether a primary or secondary source. Depending on how many attend the live discussion you will be allocated some time to… Read more

Relocation
We have moved!
From October 1
You made it to the new location:
https://kosmossociety.org

Upcoming Events

Oct
2
Mon
9:00 am Odyssey Study Group (Phaeacians)
Odyssey Study Group (Phaeacians)
Oct 2 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
11:30 am Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
Oct 2 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
1:00 pm Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
Oct 2 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Oct
3
Tue
10:00 am Latin
Latin
Oct 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Latin
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
3:00 pm Oedipus Tyrannus Translation
Oedipus Tyrannus Translation
Oct 3 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Oedipus Tyrannus Translation
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Oct
4
Wed
11:00 am Herodotus Translation Study Group
Herodotus Translation Study Group
Oct 4 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Herodotus Translation Study Group
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Oct
6
Fri
4:00 pm Plato’s Phaedo
Plato’s Phaedo
Oct 6 @ 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Plato's Phaedo
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Oct
9
Mon
9:00 am Odyssey Study Group (Phaeacians)
Odyssey Study Group (Phaeacians)
Oct 9 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
11:30 am Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
Oct 9 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Poetry Study Group (Mnēmai)
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
1:00 pm Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
Oct 9 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Iliad Study Group (Scamandrians)
 Share this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)


Join the Kosmos Society

Apply