As a complement to the post on the two shorter Homeric Hymns to Aphrodite, this time I wanted to look at the two short Homeric Hymns to Artemis, #9 and #27. Unlike those for Aphrodite, there is not a longer Hymn to Artemis. As before, I want to think about what kind of narrative or myth might have accompanied either of these Hymns, if we take them as prooemia, and… Read more
Diogenes Laertius’s main intention was to write biographies of male philosophers[1]. However, his writings also reveal, sometimes unintentionally, women’s roles and attitudes to women in ancient times. His anecdotes and longer exploratory writing include references to wives, daughters, slaves and courtesans. He quoted from wills and letters, and also from hearsay. The general themes include misogyny, as explored in part 2, but he also gave examples of respectful behavior towards… Read more
We were excited to welcome Zoe A. Kalamara for an Online Open House entitled “The Aeschylean “Odyssey”: A Journey in Fragments.” The event took place on Friday, November 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST and was recorded. To get ready for the event, you might like to read: Odyssey, Book 11 and Books 20–24, and the fragments in this PDF handout: Kosmos-Open-House_2021-11-12 You can watch the recording on our YouTube channel… Read more
Our Book Club selection for November is The Lives of the Caesars by C. Suetonius Tranquillus. Suetonius was born towards the end of Vespasian’s reign, probably around 69 or 70 CE. He was educated in Rome, and became a friend of Pliny the Younger, whose assistance and support led him to work as a librarian for the emperor Trajan. He then became secretary to Hadrian. However, in around 121 CE… Read more
The second great conflict between Rome and Carthage is the most well-known because of the famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal Barca. While this war, like the first Punic War, ended in victory for Rome, it is Hannibal and his elephants, crossing the Alps into Italy, which has captured people’s imaginations. After the end of the first Punic War, and after defeating the rebellious (and unpaid) mercenaries in Carthage, Hamilcar, father of… Read more