In February, the Book Club will be reading, The Kalevala, the epic poem of Finland, translated by John Martin Crawford. The first meeting will cover starting from the proem to the end of Rune V. “Mastered by desire impulsive By a mighty inward urging, I am ready now for singing, Ready to begin the chanting Of our nation’s ancient folk song Handed down from by-gone ages.” You can find the… Read more
On January 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m EST, Kosmos Book Club will gather to discuss three articles by Edith Hall “Aristotle’s the Theory of Catharsis in its Historical and Social Context” “The Sociology of Athenian Tragedy” “Tragedy Personified” The discussion would start on the Forums and continue on the day of the gathering. The link would be posted on the Forums. Happy readings! Read more
Peace, comedy by Aristophanes, performed at the Great Dionysia in 421 BCE. The plot concerns the flight to heaven on a monstrous dung beetle by a war-weary farmer, Trygaeus (“Vintager”), who searches for the lost goddess Peace only to discover that the God of War has buried her in a pit. The play was written during the Peloponnesian War fought between Athens and Sparta. It was staged about seven months… Read more
First I shall draw you a word-picture of the man himself, making as close a likeness as I can, although I am not particularly good at drawing. As regards his person—in order that I may exhibit this also to you—he was tall and handsome in appearance, and really godlike; his skin was fair, his beard not very thick; his long hair was in part natural, in part false, but very… Read more
It’s June, so the choice is over to you. As in previous years, you can bring your own selection, one book that you like, or dislike, and share your thoughts about it. You can read any book (or part of a book) you like related to the ancient Greeks, whether a primary or secondary source. Depending on how many attend the live discussion you will be allocated some time to… Read more