Triumvir Clio

Greek Epics XXV: Iliad Book 24, or A Farewell to Arms

We have reached the concluding book of the I. It’s time to say farewell to Achilles, Patroklos, Hektor, and the rest. Discussion Prompts What do you think about Achilles in this book? Why? Has your view of him changed over the course of the epic? Why or why not? Who do you think is theContinue reading “Greek Epics XXV: Iliad Book 24, or A Farewell to Arms”

Greek Tragedy XIX: Euripides’s Heracleidae, or Somehow… Someday… Somewhere…

We already read Sophocles’s take on the death of Heracles. In this episode, we’ll look at Euripides’s take on what happens to the children of Heracles, or Heracleidae in Greek. Discussion Prompts If you were directing this play today, where and/or when would you set it? How might this change some of the characters? WhatContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XIX: Euripides’s Heracleidae, or Somehow… Someday… Somewhere…”

Greek Myth XI: Hymns to Artemis, or You Remember Apollo’s Sister

Today we have two more Homeric Hymns, numbers 9 and 27, both dedicated to Artemis. Discussion Prompts I described Artemis as being overshadowed by Apollo. Why might this be an apt description? Artemis is described as goddess of the dance in Hymn 27. Why do you think that is? I called Artemis a nature goddess.Continue reading “Greek Myth XI: Hymns to Artemis, or You Remember Apollo’s Sister”

Greek Epics XXIV: Iliad Book 23, or That’s Your Funeral (If Your Name is Patroklos)

The Ancient Greeks knew how to throw a funeral! Before we get to the discussion prompts, I did promise to share the song from whence I derived the subtitle of this episode. For those of you to whom this is new, enjoy! And for those of you who already know the song, enjoy singing along!Continue reading “Greek Epics XXIV: Iliad Book 23, or That’s Your Funeral (If Your Name is Patroklos)”

Roman Comedy I: Plautus’s Cistellaria, or Maybe Plautus’s Oldest Play?

Welcome to Roman Comedy! We don’t know much about Plautus, including the dates of many of his plays. Cistellaria, or the Casket Play, might be the oldest. Or it might not. But it’s as good of a place to start as any, so that’s where we’ll start. Discussion Prompts How would you update this playContinue reading “Roman Comedy I: Plautus’s Cistellaria, or Maybe Plautus’s Oldest Play?”

Greek Epics XXIII: Iliad Book 22, or Chariots of Fire

It may not be a marathon, but there’s a lot of running in Book 22 of the Iliad. Discussion Prompts Why do you think Hektor runs? What does the conversation among the gods say about fate? What about omnipotence? Why does Zeus need to weigh the fates of Achilles and Hektor? What should we thinkContinue reading “Greek Epics XXIII: Iliad Book 22, or Chariots of Fire”

Greek Tragedy XVIII: Euripides’s Medea, or Kramer vs Kramer

Welcome to the messiest divorce in Greek mythology. Discussion Prompts Why do you think the first character we meet is the nurse? How would you describe her relationship with Medea? Why do you think Jason is engaged to the princess? Does Medea’s revenge plot stem from Jason’s actions or from Creon’s? Why? Is Medea aContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XVIII: Euripides’s Medea, or Kramer vs Kramer”

Greek Myth X: Hymn to Ares, or He’s a God AND a Planet!

Today we have one weird little poem about Ares… or is it Mars? Discussion Prompts What is your favorite epithet for Ares? Why? Ares or Mars? Why? Where did Athena go? What do you think about the poet’s final prayer?

Greek Epics XXII: Iliad Book 21, or Achilles is Fighting Who Now?

It’s Achilles against the world in Book 21 of the Iliad. Discussion Prompts Where do we see the conflict between man and nature? What is the significance of the fight amongst the gods? What would you do if you were Priam, watching from the walls? Xanthos or Skamandros? Which name is better and why? We’veContinue reading “Greek Epics XXII: Iliad Book 21, or Achilles is Fighting Who Now?”

Greek Comedy XV: Humanism in Greek Comedy

In a final wrap up to the Greek Comedy course, I have one question for you: What do the Greek comedies tell us about what it means to be human?