I was familiar with some of the longer Homeric Hymns, which are available in the Text Library in translations by Gregory Nagy[1], but I had not previously paid much attention to the shorter Homeric Hymns. Gregory Nagy, in “The Earliest Phases in the Reception of the Homeric Hymns,”[2] has explained that the setting for the Homeric Hymns were festivals; and that they started with a prooemium. He also points out… Read more
In this latest post featuring Core Vocabulary from The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours[1] (H24H) and the associated Sourcebook[2] and our other primary texts, there are two related terms: paskhein [πάσχειν] ‘suffer, experience, be treated [badly or well]’; and pathos [πάθος] ‘suffering, experience’. When it comes to tragedy, the concept is central: In tragedy, the focus of attention was on the heroes, played by the actors. The hero, and… Read more
Here at Kosmos Society we have been continuing our exploration of the digital tools that help us in the translation study groups and for carrying out word searches and word studies. Many of us have made use of Logeion, for both Greek and Latin. This online reference has a number of useful features, and provides access to lexicons and dictionaries in a selection of languages other than English. It also… Read more
This time the Core Vocab word (mentioned in The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours (H24H)[1] and in the associated Sourcebook[2]) is makar [μάκαρ] ‘blessed; happy’. This has a similar meaning to olbios; Gregory Nagy explains in H24H 8.§44 that olbios has an everyday meaning when applied to mortals, “fortunate, wealthy, happy” and a specialized meaning when applied to the gods, “blessed”. But it can also be applied in a… Read more
The recently published Gallery | Health and healing introduced us to the world of medicine, including Asklepios and Hygieia, and some Homeric passages. This post explores a few more references in ancient Greek texts to healers, doctors, drugs, and health, looking at a few passages on Cheiron and his teachings; and on the cult of Asklepios. Cheiron and his teachings Cheiron is a centaur and healer who teaches various heroes… Read more