In part 1, we looked at dreams as represented in Homeric epic. In part 2, we continue our exploration with some passages from other texts. Starting with tragedy, we learn from Jean Alaux Lectures Tragiques d’Homère that “According to Jacques Jouanna, there are two types of dreams: the vision-dream which offers the sleeper a symbol to decipher … and the visitation–dream where a god or a messenger or a ghost… Read more
Both Cleisthenes and Thrasybulus played important roles in the independence of Athens, and its existence as a democracy. Yet both their roles were downplayed by succeeding generations. Athens indeed spun the murder of the tyrant Hipparchus by a pair of disgruntled lovers into a fight against tyranny, but neglected Cleisthenes’ place in the true origins of the democracy. The citizens of the polis welcomed the freedom and democracy restored by… Read more
We were pleased to welcome back Keith Stone, CHS Fellow, as guest for a discussion about the textual development of the biblical book of Deuteronomy. This took place on Thursday, October 18th, at 11 a.m. EDT, and was recorded. He introduces the topic as follows: In most understandings of the textual development of the biblical book of Deuteronomy, the Song of Moses (32:1–43) is considered to be a late addition,… Read more
We were pleased to welcome Natasha Bershadsky, Fellow in Ancient Greek History at the Center for Hellenic Studies, for an Open House discussion on the Lelantine War, which she describes as “an ancient conflict between Chalcis and Eretria, two neighboring cities on the island of Euboea, over the Lelantine plain, situated between them.” The event was streamed live on Thursday, October 4, at 11 a.m. EDT, and was recorded. Before… Read more
When the news of the Greek victory at Marathon (490 BCE) came to the Persian king Darius the Great, he first sent heralds to Hellas to demand earth and water—the usual token of submission—which he received from many cities of Greece. [1] He instructed Ionia and the islands to build ships and to enroll their best men for service against Hellas. King Darius died, and the royal power descended to… Read more