Triumvir Clio

The Power of Myth VI: Masks of Eternity, or What is God?

In this episode, we conclude our look at Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth. Discussion Prompts Where do you see god or the divine? How can atheism and mythology work together? Mythology and life are full of circles. Which one is your favorite? Why? What about the Power of Myth did I not talkContinue reading “The Power of Myth VI: Masks of Eternity, or What is God?”

Greek Epics XXI: Iliad Book 20, or It Only Took 20 Books To Get Here

Achilles has finally entered the battlefield, and he turns out to be just as brutal of a fighter as promised. Discussion Prompts Who is your favorite character? Why? Why do you think so much time is spent on the gods? Why do you think so much time is devoted to Aeneas talking?

Greek Tragedy XVII: Euripides’s Aclestis, or The Good Wife

Meet Euripides, the cheeriest of the Greek tragedians. Discussion Prompts What does Alcestis tell us about the expectations for women, particularly wives, in Ancient Greece? Who would you cast as Death? Why? Who would you cast as Heracles? Why? Is Admetus as nice of a person as Apollo and Heracles seem to think? Who benefits fromContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XVII: Euripides’s Aclestis, or The Good Wife”

Greek Myth IX: Hymns to Aphrodite, or When Peleus Met Aphrodite

This episode covers the three Homeric Hymns dedicated to Aphrodite, numbers 5, 6, and 10. In the episode, I mentioned a few things that I would share, and I’m pleased to say I was able to find versions of all of them that I could share. Discussion Prompts In Hymn 5, Anchises is hanging outContinue reading “Greek Myth IX: Hymns to Aphrodite, or When Peleus Met Aphrodite”

Greek Epics XX: Iliad Book 19, or Agamemnon Apologizes… Sort Of

We still aren’t quite ready for battle, but at least Achilles and Agamemnon are friends again… Discussion Prompts Why is Achilles the only Myrmidon brave enough to look at the armor from Hephaistos? If you were a speech writer for Agamemnon, how would you rewrite his apology speech? What do you think about Briseis inContinue reading “Greek Epics XX: Iliad Book 19, or Agamemnon Apologizes… Sort Of”

Greek Comedy XIV: Menander’s Dyskolos, or the Remains of the New Comedy

Today’s episode: The last Greek comedy! Discussion Prompts We have now seen Old Comedy, Middle Comedy, and New Comedy. Which is your favorite? Why? Are you familiar with Moliere’s The Misanthrope? If so, which play do you prefer, Dyskolos or The Misanthrope? Pan is a nature god, and the Nymphs are nature goddesses. Is thisContinue reading “Greek Comedy XIV: Menander’s Dyskolos, or the Remains of the New Comedy”

The Power of Myth V: Love and the Goddess, or Love is Love is Love is Love

Campbell and Moyers may stumble into progressive thought, but they get there nonetheless. Discussion Prompts Have you read Tristan and Isolde? Do you want to talk about it? Discuss. I didn’t talk about the role of virgin births in mythology and religion, but Campbell does expound on them. Why do you think they’re important? DoContinue reading “The Power of Myth V: Love and the Goddess, or Love is Love is Love is Love”

Greek Epics XIX: Iliad Book 18, or Grief Hurts

Achilles has finally learned of the death of Patroklos, but there is still the little problem of Hektor wearing his armor… Discussion Prompts What do you think would have happened if Hektor had taken the advice of Poulydamas? Is it too soon to ask/answer this question? Why does Homer spend so much time describing theContinue reading “Greek Epics XIX: Iliad Book 18, or Grief Hurts”

Greek Tragedy XVI: Sophocles’s Oedipus at Colonus, or When Oedipus Met Theseus

In this episode, we reach the end of Sophocles’s plays and see both the playwright and Oedipus as old men. Discussion Prompts Do you think radio, or podcast, is the best medium for Greek tragedies today? Why or why not? If you were producing the Sophocles Oedipus trilogy, would you cast the same man asContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XVI: Sophocles’s Oedipus at Colonus, or When Oedipus Met Theseus”

Greek Myth VIII: Hymns to Hermes, or Cheeky from the Start

In this episode, we cover the two Homeric Hymns to Hermes, numbers 4 and 18. Discussion Prompts Working off the idea that Hymn 18 is a kind of abstract for Hymn 4, now I’m curious what you think. If the Homeric Hymns were an academic journal, what would it be called? Who would be onContinue reading “Greek Myth VIII: Hymns to Hermes, or Cheeky from the Start”