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Homeric Greek | Odyssey 1.27–43

We are pleased to share the latest video in the series on reading Homeric epic. Join Leonard Muellner, Gregory Nagy, and Douglas Frame as they read, translate, and discuss a brief passage in an informal and accessible way. If you’ve ever wanted to read Homer in the original, here is your chance to do so with teachers who have spent a lifetime thinking about this poetry. With this expert guidance… Read more

Gallery: Inspiration from Greek Mythology

Zeus (200 CE) British Museum Greek Mythology has influenced both literature and arts. The Minotaur, Μῑνώταυρος, and Ariadne have inspired artists. The Minotaur was killed by Theseus who was helped by Ariadne. This description from a glossary to Philostratus on Heroes tells us more about him. Theseus Athenian hero, son of Aigeus or Poseidon and eventually a king of Athens. The legends surrounding Theseus include numerous labors in Attica, partly influenced by… Read more

Helen’s Handmaiden

~ A guest post by Bill Moulton ~ Aethra, the mother of Theseus, was a minor character in Greek mythology, but she was a minor character in several major events. This post is an attempt to highlight a mortal woman whose life was almost epic in scope. We will get a peek at her time after time as we follow her life along the mythic timeline. Aethra attended when Paris… Read more

Connections: Drugs, Roosters, and Asklepios

Jacques-Louis David, “The Death of Socrates”(1787), Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons Many community members have been reading Gregory Nagy’s “The Last Words of Socrates in the Place Where He Died” on Classical Inquiries. In that post he explores the meaning of sacrificing a rooster to Asklepios. We are happy to share a curated selection of resources designed to help readers explore this topic in greater depth and make new connections. Primary Texts… Read more

Antigone Update—A day devoted to Sophocles’ Antigone

~ A guest post by Christina Lafi and the Antigone team ~ Over the past few weeks, five high school students and a university student have been working with the Center for Hellenic Studies in Nafplion, Greece to rehearse a performance of a key segment of Sophocles’ Antigone in ancient Greek. On March 27 at 8:00–10:00 p.m. GMT (2:00–4:00 p.m. EDT), this dedicated team will record their performance of Antigone lines… Read more