Topic for Discussion

Topic for Discussion

Under Discussion: Why I am slow reading Herakles

Hercules and Cerberus, Nicolo Van Aelst (Flanders, 1527-1612), Antonio Tempesta (Italy, Florence, 1555-1630), public domain, released by LACMA on Wikimedia Commons. A guest post by Sarah Scott I am normally a pretty fast reader, but during the HeroesX project I loved Professor Nagy’s encouragement to us about really engaging with the texts, when he quoted Nietzsche: “read slowly, deeply, looking cautiously before and aft, with reservations, with doors left open,… Read more

Topic for Discussion

In Focus: Song 1 of Sappho

|1 You with pattern-woven flowers, immortal Aphrodite, |2 child of Zeus, weaver of wiles, I implore you, |3 do not devastate with aches and sorrows,|4 Mistress, my heart! |5 But come here [tuide], if ever at any other time |6 hearing my voice from afar, |7 you heeded me, and leaving the palace of your father, |8 golden, you came, |9 having harnessed the chariot; and you were carried along… Read more

Topic for Discussion

Under Discussion: Is Anchises a Casanova?

One of the texts we are reading in the community is the beautiful Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite.. Today we are happy to feature the following post on this hymn by William Moulton. “I resolved on insuring Christine’s happiness without making her my wife. I had thought of marrying her when I loved her better than myself, but after obtaining possession the balance was so much on my side that my… Read more

Topic for Discussion

In Focus: Song 31 of Sappho

|1 He appears [phainetai] to me, that one, equal to the gods [īsos theoisin], |2 that man who, facing you |3 is seated and, up close, that sweet voice of yours |4 he listens to, |5 and how you laugh a laugh that brings desire. Why, it just |6 makes my heart flutter within my breast. |7 You see, the moment I look at you, right then, for me |8… Read more

Topic for Discussion

HeroesX and Homeric Greek

A guest blog by Janet M Ozsolak When I tell people about the HeroesX project or learning ancient Greek, I mostly see an implicit question mark on their faces. They kindly swim around the question, “What are you going to do with it?” Let’s face it: no one is speaking ancient Greek—let alone Homeric Greek—and knowledge of the Iliad and Odyssey may not impress most employers. The question of “why”… Read more