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thxnews · 10 months

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The Iliad: Uncovering the Timeless Power of an Ancient Epic

Oral Tradition: Passing Down the Poem Through Generations Theories abound surrounding the origins of the Iliad, one of the oldest surviving works of literature in Western culture. One popular theory suggests that the poem was a product of the oral tradition of ancient Greece. Passed down orally by bards and poets performing for audiences over time, the Iliad's stylistic qualities align with the tradition of oral storytelling. Multiple Authorship: Collaboration Over Centuries Another theory proposes that the Iliad was not a single work, but rather the product of many authors and storytellers over centuries. This idea is supported by the differences and contradictions found within the text itself, reflecting the contributions of various voices and styles over time. Homer as a Single Author: One Voice Behind the Epic Finally, the most widespread theory posits that the Iliad was written by one person named Homer. This theory is based on the poem's consistent style and voice, a composition likely occurring within a specific time period, and numerous allusions to earlier texts. The attribution to a single author, Homer, is widely accepted, though the true origins of this classic work of literature may forever remain a mystery.

Homer seated. 4th century BC, İzmir Art and Sculpture Museum, Turkey. Photo by Carole Raddato. Flickr.

Unveiling Homer's Life and Influence

The Enigmatic Life of Homer The Greek poet Homer considered the father of Western literature, left an indelible mark on the literary world with his epic poems, the Iliad, and the Odyssey. However, much of Homer's own life remains shrouded in mystery, with details obscured by legends and myths. Oral Poet: Composing Works Through Recitation What we do know is that Homer was an oral poet, meaning that he composed his works by reciting them aloud rather than writing them down. This oral tradition made it difficult for historians to determine the exact date of the composition of his works. The Iliad and the Odyssey were likely transcribed by scribes many years after their initial recitation. Enduring Legacy: Influencing Literature, Art, and Film Despite the scarcity of information on his personal life, Homer's influence on Western literature is undeniable. His works have been widely read, translated, and studied for centuries. The Iliad and the Odyssey have inspired countless works of literature, art, and film, becoming foundational pieces of the literary canon.

Sarcophagus with scenes from the Life of Achilles, dated between AD 170 and 190. Photo by Carole Raddato. Flickr.

Captivating Characters and Timeless Themes

Achilles: A Tragic Hero Consumed by Rage and Grief The Iliad introduces a rich tapestry of characters, each with their own motivations and backstories. At the center of the narrative stands Achilles, a mighty warrior nearly invincible in battle. Consumed by rage and grief after the death of his close friend Patroclus, Achilles embarks on a path driven by overwhelming emotions. Hector: Balancing Duty and Love Another essential character is Hector, the prince of Troy. Hector embodies a complex blend of warrior and family man. Devoted to his wife and young son, he faces the challenging tension between his duty to his city and his love for his family. Hector's eventual demise at the hands of Achilles is a poignant and heartbreaking moment in the poem. Themes: Clash of Civilizations, Destructive Power of Pride The Iliad delves into several central themes that resonate across time. One such theme is the clash of civilizations. The Greeks and the Trojans find themselves locked in a bitter struggle, each side convinced of their just cause. Yet, the poem also reveals the humanity within the enemy, showcasing the Trojans mourning their dead and defending their city against the Greek army. Pride emerges as another powerful theme in the Iliad, highlighting its dual nature as both a source of strength and a tragic flaw. Achilles' pride and anger drive his actions, leading to devastating consequences. Similarly, Hector's pride as a Trojan prince ultimately seals his fate. The poem calls on readers to examine their own pride and consider its impact on their lives.

Trojan War engraved print. Photo by Walters Art Museum. Flickr.

Fate, War, & Divine Intervention

The Power of Fate: Shaping Lives and the Trojan War The Iliad revolves around the concept of fate, a powerful force that shapes the lives of its characters. The Greeks believed that fate was predetermined by the gods, leaving no escape from its grip. The poem's extensive use of prophecy and divine intervention underscores this theme, as the gods manipulate events to achieve their desired outcomes. The Trojan War: A Conflict Foretold The Trojan War itself exemplifies the workings of fate. Though sparked by the abduction of Helen by Paris, it was a conflict that had been brewing for years. The gods had already decreed the victory of the Greeks over the Trojans, and the war was destined to happen. Divine Intervention: The Hands of the Gods Divine intervention permeates the Iliad, with gods frequently intervening in the lives of mortals. They aid or hinder characters according to their own desires, manipulating events to achieve desired outcomes. Apollo's plague upon the Greeks and Athena's interventions in battles exemplify the gods' roles as puppet masters, shaping the course of events. Brutality of War: Portraying the Horrors War serves as the central theme of the Iliad, and the poem unflinchingly depicts its brutality. Graphic descriptions expose the grim realities of battle, showcasing amputations, decapitations, and impalements. The warriors, portrayed as fearless and honorable, are willing to risk everything for the glory of their city-states. The poem forces readers to confront the dark realities of armed conflict.

Storytelling – The Old Story in All Lands – Harper's Weekly. Photo by Winslow Homer. Wikimedia.

Relevance of Ancient Stories Today

Timeless Lessons and Enduring Power of Storytelling The stories of the Iliad continue to resonate today, offering timeless lessons that transcend time and culture. They remind us that war has always been a part of human existence, often driven by pride and arrogance rather than rational decisions. The influence of fate, the complexities of human characters, and the enduring power of storytelling make The Iliad a work that continues to captivate readers worldwide.

Conclusion

The Iliad stands as a testament to the enduring power of an ancient epic. Its origins and authorship remain subjects of debate, but the impact of its characters, themes, and storytelling resonates across time. From the clash of civilizations to the influence of fate and the horrors of war, the Iliad offers valuable insights into the human condition, encouraging contemplation and reflection on our own lives and the world around us. Sources: THX News & Ancient Literature. Read the full article

#Ancientliterature #Characters #Divineintervention #Epicpoem #Fate #Greekmythology #Homer #Iliad #Themes #TrojanWar

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4veds · 2 years

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The Use Of Ancient Literature And Calculations In The Modern Era

As a people of the so-called "new era", we always ignore our ancient literature and treat it as an assumption and myth made by our ancestors. We still hesitate in showcasing them in front of all. Let's just change your view about them. There are many kinds of literature and calculations made by our ancient scientists and philosophers that were proved to be right later. They were way smarter and more skillful in their respective fields. Even some of their early theories and calculations are still in use for solving the biggest problems and calculations. One of such is the Hindu Panchangam which just cost ₹20 in our markets and Nasa the most advanced astronomical research center in the world accepted that they used the Hindu calendar Panchaag to calculate Accurately forecast the eclipse and other astronomical events. Read the full article

#AncientLiterature #ancientphilosophers #ancientscientist #Hinducalendar #HinduPanchangam #ModernEra #myth #Panchaag #Vedic #Vedicknowledgeonline

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doggydrooler · 2 years

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Men, can’t live with ‘em, can’t turn ‘em all into swine. Unless you’re Circe.⁣ That’s exactly what she does.⁣ ⁣ If you're obsessed with Greek Myths or Mythological Retellings ⁣ then you'll love Circe for sure.⁣ ⁣ Unputdownable and a timelessly gripping story; my next read's likely to be The Song of Achilles or Heracles' Bow at its best, and much more of such lore to be mopped up at the earliest. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #MadelineMiller #Circe #GreekMyths #GreekMythology #Mythology #mythologicalretelling #ancientliterature #ancientworld #mythologicalfiction #donereading #donereadingthisbook #book #books #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #booklover #ilovebooks #instalibrary #bookworm #bookgeek #booksgram #reads #igreads #booknerd #goodreadschallenge2022 #goodreadsreadingchallenge2022 #goodreads #goodreadsreadingchallenge #goodreadschallenge⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ https://www.instagram.com/p/CfG0EktB5_X/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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frankjs · 2 years

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#TheIliad #Homer #Poem #Poet #Verse #AncientGreece #ArchaicGreece #Homeric #TrojanWar #Penguin #PenguinClassics #PenguinClassicsDeluxeEdition #Fagles #RobertFagles #Classicist #Literature #Epic #AncientLiterature #Achilles #Agamemnon #Priam #Hector #Paris #Books #Bookstagram #Reading #Nerd (at Etobicoke) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdg_la8gPV_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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oldenglishpoetry · 5 years

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A peek inside. This is an interesting fragment. In light of Seamus Heaney's posthumously published translation of Book VI, this gains some interest. Lewis went the very ultra-traditional route of translating the Aeneid into rhyming Alexandrine couplets. He had a real love for Gavin Douglas's translation of thhe same into Scots, which also rhymed. With that knowledge, you can see why he made such a quirky choice. Book 1 is complete. Book 2 nearly complete. Book 6 has a sizable chunk. The introduction is a very well written survey of various translations. #cslewis #cslewislostaeneid #atreyes #armsandtheexile #virgil #vergil #aeneid #aeneidtranslations #latintranslation #latinstudies #yaleuniversitypress #epicpoem #ancientliterature #romanepic #narrativepoetry #rhymingpoetry (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1oPLIFb2c/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oj6jnf88jyda

#cslewis #cslewislostaeneid #atreyes #armsandtheexile #virgil #vergil #aeneid #aeneidtranslations #latintranslation #latinstudies #yaleuniversitypress #epicpoem #ancientliterature #romanepic #narrativepoetry #rhymingpoetry

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ancientelegance · 3 years

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Finally it’s ready! The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology were deities that gave artists, philosophers and individuals the necessary inspiration for creation. Hesiod reveals that they were called Muses or Mouses in Greek, as the Greek word “mosis” refers to the desire and wish. The word museum also comes from the Greek Muses. All the ancient writers appeal to the Muses at the beginning of their work. Homer asks the Muses both in the Iliad and Odyssey to help him tell the story in the most proper way, and until today the Muses are symbols of inspiration and artistic creation. Thats why this is the great gift and decor for any artist, philosophers, writers, ancient greek, classic literature lovers and anybody need inspiration. Unique reading corner, library and office decor also. The Nine Muses were: Clio, Euterpe, Thalia, Melpomeni, Terpsichore, Erato, Polymnia, Ourania and Calliope. #lesmuses #theninemusesart #theninemuses #ninemuses #greekmuses #greekmythology #homer #hesiod #classicliterature #ancientpoetry #ancientliterature https://www.instagram.com/p/CQSCku5n9St/?utm_medium=tumblr

#lesmuses #theninemusesart #theninemuses #ninemuses #greekmuses #greekmythology #homer #hesiod #classicliterature #ancientpoetry #ancientliterature

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theyoungforest · 6 years

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I was just reading the end of the Odyssey and was so effected by the scene where Odysseus kills all the suitors and his maids - so horrible! I couldn't believe it. ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #theodyssey #greekliterature #ancientliterature #crimes #heroic #heroicarchetypes #ancientgreece #toxicmasculinity #odysseus #penelope #literaturefanart #litfanart #watercolour #gouache #horror #murder #injustice #feministreadings #ancientart #greekmythology #greekhistory #historicalart #historyfanart #artistsoninstagtam #youngartists #fanart #alternativefanart #literature #ancienthistory #ulysses

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chvazquez · 4 years

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#medicalschools #physicians #medicine #hippocrates #books #ancientliterature #christians #middleages #hippocraticoath #ethicalcode #woman #abortion #christian #ethics #treatment #book 📖 https://www.instagram.com/p/CBuJP3RBIvK/?igshid=fir41zy82ho6

#medicalschools #physicians #medicine #hippocrates #books #ancientliterature #christians #middleages #hippocraticoath #ethicalcode #woman #abortion #christian #ethics #treatment #book

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angineg · 5 years

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“Si deve amare la vita” 🥰 #life #lifestyle #lifequotes #lifelover #greek #greek_quotes #ancientcivilization #ancientworld #ancientgreek #ancientliterature #classic #classicart #lovelive #lovelife https://www.instagram.com/p/BqYCbiInrxd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i9g822g7chzo

#life #lifestyle #lifequotes #lifelover #greek #greek_quotes #ancientcivilization #ancientworld #ancientgreek #ancientliterature #classic #classicart #lovelive #lovelife

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yadwiga · 7 years

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And done.A work about Livio Andronicus and Cneo N. and an essay about a fragment of Jenofanes critic to the mhytos finished yay. I did half of my other filosofy essay (Milesios) too but I didn’t review any of my classwork for tomorrow meh .Any way good luck with your essays pals !

#studyblr #literature #ancientliterature #filosofy

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4veds · 2 years

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The Use Of Ancient Literature And Calculations In The Modern Era

As a people of the so-called "new era", we always ignore our ancient literature and treat it as an assumption and myth made by our ancestors. We still hesitate in showcasing them in front of all. Let's just change your view about them. There are many kinds of literature and calculations made by our ancient scientists and philosophers that were proved to be right later. They were way smarter and more skillful in their respective fields. Even some of their early theories and calculations are still in use for solving the biggest problems and calculations. One of such is the Hindu Panchangam which just cost ₹20 in our markets and Nasa the most advanced astronomical research center in the world accepted that they used the Hindu calendar Panchaag to calculate Accurately forecast the eclipse and other astronomical events. Read the full article

#AncientLiterature #ancientphilosophers #ancientscientist #Hinducalendar #HinduPanchangam #ModernEra #myth #Panchaag #Vedic #Vedicknowledgeonline

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thehillcastle · 5 years

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An old Anglo-Saxon riddle for you. Can you work it out? . WHEN I WAS A TREE IN THE WOOD THE CREATURES. . When I was a tree in a wood the creatures . Bounced in my shade, brown as my bark . I flourished in the ground, there was gold on the earth . Joy and joking, women whispering; . When I wear the ring that binds, . The soldier rejoices and I . . . . What I am passes into another... 🌲🌲🌲 #sombresociety #trees #watercolour #forest #darktrees #darkart #history #_romanticdarkness_ #mist #fog #mistyforest #darkness #wald #totalgothic #arts #darklandscape #painting #originalart #nemophilist #artist #dark #darkaesthetic #darksouls #folklore #northernforest #poem #poetry #anglosaxon #ancientliterature — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2FnWlI9

#Instagram #IFTTT

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frankjs · 2 years

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#Satyricon #Petronius #Satire #Court #NeronianCourt #NeronianRome #Nero #EmperorNero #Rome #Roman #AncientRome #AncientWorld #AncientLiterature #History #Historian #Reading #Acadmics #Academic #AcademicReading #Story #Books #Bookstagram #Oxford #OUP #OxfordWorldClassics #OxfordUniversityPress #Amazon #AmazonPrime (at Etobicoke) https://www.instagram.com/p/CagBk6BgtAw/?utm_medium=tumblr

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santiagolartsandliterature-blog · 10 years

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Latin Literature Assignment

Hi everyone, what I’m supposed to do on this homework is the following: The main objective of this homework is to learn more about an ancient Latin writer as well as his major works, style and particular genre of writing. In this case, the author I’ve been assigned is “Tacitus”, thus having to choose one of his historical volumes, this is why in this case I’ve chosen to read and analyze his particular (as a starting point to learn more about the author’s genre and particular way of writing) work known as “The histories”, which is one of his most famous works all ever. By the way, here is the link where I’ve found, downloaded and read “The histories” translation in Spanish: http://www.freelibros.org/historia/historias-cayo-cornelio-tacito.html.

Firstly, before explaining what I’ve learned from Tacitus and his particular genre of writing by reading some pages of “The Histories”, I will start by summarizing what is this that I’ve learned from the couple of pages I’ve just read. The pages I’ve read go from page 1 to 11 of the translation book (from page 6 to page 16 within the PDF document). So, basically what I’ve read in all these pages is the particular Tacitus opinion and description of the facts and events that were happening in ancient Rome, since the fall of the Roman emperor “Neron” until Galba’s rise to the throne (this is where I stayed on page 11). Basically, in all these pages, Tacitus is describing the specific events and facts that have been happening in Rome as well as the specific impact and consequences that these have brought/provoked in the Roman society, army and politics.

Tacitus is expressing all his particular thoughts and feelings with reference to all these consequences and events, as he thinks that all these are negative and are having such a bad impact on the specific way of living (habits and costumes) of the Romans; we can clearly notice the extremely huge disagreement and anger of Tacitus with reference to Galba’s (and other emperors) specific way of ruling/governing, as he expresses and criticizes the fact that a lot of cruel and bad things are afflicting the Romans rights and necessities, as the Romans no longer enjoy the same freedom, liberty and many other rights they used to have. There’s a specific line that summarizes Tacitus opinion about Galba’s Empire: “It was everyone's opinion that he was capable of ruling the empire, had he never ruled”. From this extract, we can notice that what Tacitus really thought about Galba was that he was an ignorant and weak person, incapable of running the Roman Empire. In a few words, it can be said that what Tacitus was trying to express during all these pages was the inefficiency and the wrong that the Roman Empire of that times was carrying itself as a way of government.

Once I’ve already read these few pages and I’ve already researched more about Tacitus and his most famous works, now I can truly understand more about the specific genre Tacitus used to write about as well as about his brilliant way of writing. Then, Tacitus specific genre was “history”, with a huge emphasis on ancient politics (on the ancient ways of governments), this is why he was considered as one of the most brilliant historians or national historians of those times, since he is nowadays considered as an historical figure that represents how is was like to be a talented and successful historian over those ancient times. So, now I can affirm that after analyzing this, I’ve learned a lot more about the history genre itself, such as the fact that a branch of the history genre that was very important during those times was the Political History, this is why we can observe during this specific Tacitus work (“The histories”) the fact that he dedicates a whole of his volume/book/work to describe and talk about the historical political system/empire that was taking place in those times, so we can deduce from this the fact that a lot of historians, and people who were into this genre, we’re very into this particular branch of history (the Political History of nations/empires or National History).

Talking a little bit more about other details and interesting things that I’ve learned about this genre in particular, another fact which I already knew that was very present in all the historians that use to write at these times but I could corroborate/confirm was the “subjective” character/nature present in most and/or in a lot of the ancient historians. As we can realize, Tacitus, in this work, is definitely writing from his subjective point of view since he is expressing what he THINKS and what he BELIEVES about the Romans ancient emperors in general: why he THOUGHT they weren’t capable of ruling, what were the consequences he THOUGHT these Roman empires were causing, etc, etc.

So far, this is all I can say about what I’ve learned by doing this long but very interesting assignment… Hope this is clear for you ;)

#Tacitus #TheHistories #LatinLiterature #AncientLiterature #Latin

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