Our next Core Vocab term, taken from terms listed in H24H[1] and tracked in the associated Sourcebook[2] is nomos [νόμος]. Gregory Nagy glosses the word as follows: “nomos, plural nomoi ‘local custom; customary law; law’.” In Eumenides we see Athena changing the old system of vendetta, personified by the Furies or Erinyes, to that of a justice system and trial by jury[3]. The Furies complain (twice): Younger gods, you have ridden down… Read more
For the first Open House discussion of Fall 2019, we were delighted to welcome Lynn Kozak, McGill University, to discuss ‘Recall Strategies in the Iliad‘. The event took place on Thursday, September 12, at 11 a.m. EDT and was recorded. In connection with this discussion, you might like to read Iliad 16; Iliad 22 https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Ilhome.php You can watch it on our YouTube channel, or in the frame below. Lynn Kozak… Read more
Old man Knemon hates everyone! A grouch to one and all! Grumpy all day long! Our September Book Club selection is a comedy by Menander, The Grouch [Dyskolos], also known as The Difficult Man, The Bad-Tempered Man, The Misanthrope, The Curmudgeon or The Peevish Fellow in different translations. Menander (c 342–291 BCE) was a major New Comedy playwright from Athens. In a thirty-year career he wrote over 100 plays, but won only… Read more
Some say that the Phaeacians built ships which moved with the swiftness of a raptor [irēx].[1] Their ships fly over water propelled by well-fitted oars [euēra eretma] that are like wings [ptera] for ships.[2] Some say Odysseus is next in line for breaking speed records with his ships that qualify as fast-sailing [ōkualos nēus].[3] Some say the fastest ships were the Iliadic ships that qualified as “swift” [thoos].[4] These are… Read more
As our summer readings draw to a close, we look ahead to the Fall season of the Book Club. We will be reading selections from secondary sources, and from ancient Greek primary texts, with a focus on drama. September: Menander October: selections from Edith Hall Greek and Roman Actors November: Euripides Look out for further announcements in September, October, and November with details of the selections, links to free online… Read more