Triumvir Clio

Greek Epics XVIII: Iliad Book 17, or You Were Expecting More Achilles, Weren’t You

The death of Patroklos in Book 16 is a turning point in the Iliad. In this episode we start to see the aftermath. Discussion Prompts There aren’t many named women in the Iliad. Earlier, we met Hektor’s wife, Andromache. Why do you think Zeus mentions her when he endows Hektor with strength after Hektor donsContinue reading “Greek Epics XVIII: Iliad Book 17, or You Were Expecting More Achilles, Weren’t You”

Greek Comedy XIII: Aristophanes’s Plutus, or What If Wealth Could See?

This is the last play we have from Aristophanes, bringing us to the end of Old Comedy. Unless we decide to call this Middle Comedy. It’s definitely transitional! Discussion Prompts If you were directing this play today, when would you set it? Why? What do you think of the personifications of Wealth (Plutus) and Poverty?Continue reading “Greek Comedy XIII: Aristophanes’s Plutus, or What If Wealth Could See?”

The Power of Myth IV: Sacrifice and Bliss, or Don’t “Should” Yourself

This episode holds up better than the last one. It still is very much of its time, and it is still two white men telling the stories gleaned from people of color, but it is not as cringeworthy in its analysis of the world as the last episode. Discussion Prompts The episode opens with aContinue reading “The Power of Myth IV: Sacrifice and Bliss, or Don’t “Should” Yourself”

Greek Epics XVII: Iliad Book 16, or Blame Achilles

We’re 2/3 of the way through the Iliad, and the events of Book 16 will turn the tide of the war. Discussion Prompts What do you think of Achilles in this book? Why do you think Patroklos pursues the Trojans beyond the Greek walls? What do you think would have happened if Patroklos hadn’t pursuedContinue reading “Greek Epics XVII: Iliad Book 16, or Blame Achilles”

Greek Tragedy XV: Sophocles’s Philoctetes, or You Were Expecting Danny DeVito?

If your only experience of Philoctetes is the character in Disney’s Hercules, prepare for a big surprise. Discussion Prompts How can we use this play to discuss disability rights today? This play is not about race, but how can we use this play to discuss race today? If you were directing this play today, howContinue reading “Greek Tragedy XV: Sophocles’s Philoctetes, or You Were Expecting Danny DeVito?”

Greek Myth VII: Hymns to Apollo, or Why Apollo’s Temples are In Pretty Places

Some of my favorite places in Greece are where Apollo was revered. Delos is magnificently preserved, and Delphi, both the ruins and the modern city, are beautifully perched on the side of a mountain. Discussion Prompts Why do you think the writer of Hymn 21 uses “Phoibos” instead of “Apollo”? What do you think theContinue reading “Greek Myth VII: Hymns to Apollo, or Why Apollo’s Temples are In Pretty Places”

Greek Epics XVI: Iliad Book 15, or It’s Always Darkest Before It Goes Pitch Black

Just how is the war going? Not well. Well, unless you’re a Trojan… Discussion Prompts What do you think about Ares in this book? Or Athena? Why is it unfair for Poseidon to help the Greeks but fair for Apollo to help the Trojans? Or is it not? Who is your current favorite character? Why?Continue reading “Greek Epics XVI: Iliad Book 15, or It’s Always Darkest Before It Goes Pitch Black”

Greek Comedy XII: Aristophanes’s Ecclesiazusae, or More Marxist Than Marx

Whether you call it Assemblywomen, Congresswomen, Women at the Assembly, or Women at the Parliament, it is still my favorite and incredibly relevant to our current sociopolitical world. Discussion Prompts Why do you think Praxagora effectively disappears in the second half of this play? If you were to direct this play today, where and whenContinue reading “Greek Comedy XII: Aristophanes’s Ecclesiazusae, or More Marxist Than Marx”

The Power of Myth III: The First Storytellers, or Uffa… Old White Men…

This is not the best episode. In case you’d forgotten that Joseph Campbell was an old white man when The Power of Myth was recorded, he’s about to remind you. Discussion Prompts What is your favorite liminal space? Why? What is your favorite coming-of-age story? Why? Campbell thinks that ritual is dead. How would youContinue reading “The Power of Myth III: The First Storytellers, or Uffa… Old White Men…”

Greek Epics XV: Iliad Book 14, or Hera the Hippie

In Book 14 of the Iliad, Hera gives new meaning to the phrase “Make Love, Not War,” and we get a bit of a break from the battlefield. Sort of. This is still a war story, after all. Discussion Prompts If you’re interested in writing an essay: What purpose does the section about Hera serve?Continue reading “Greek Epics XV: Iliad Book 14, or Hera the Hippie”