Triumvir Clio

Roman Epics XVIII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 9, or Two Books for the Price of One!

Just when you think Book 9 is over… Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Compare/contrast Euryalus and Telemakhos. What do you think the nature of the relationship between Nisus and Euryalus is? Why? Why do you think Juno chooses Iris as her messenger in this book? AP Credit: Compare/contrast Turnus and Achilles. What role does hubris playContinue reading “Roman Epics XVIII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 9, or Two Books for the Price of One!”

Roman Tragedy VII: Seneca’s Hercules Furens, or the Only Man Who Can Beat Hercules

Juno has plans for Hercules, and they aren’t good. But then, are they ever? Discussion Prompts How does immortality affect the relationship between Juno and Jupiter? How does it affect Juno’s reactions to Jupiter’s, shall we say, indiscretions? Would Amphitryon and Theseus have been able to stop Hercules from killing himself? Why or why not?Continue reading “Roman Tragedy VII: Seneca’s Hercules Furens, or the Only Man Who Can Beat Hercules”

Greek Myth XLI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VIII – The Heraclids, or What We Talk About When We Talk About Heracles

Heracles’s sons and grandsons carry on the line in today’s episode. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Plagues and Politics. Discuss. What do you think about the animals on the altars? Do you agree with the ancient interpretations of what each animal means? Why or why not? Alcmene uses her weaving pins as weapons. What do youContinue reading “Greek Myth XLI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VIII – The Heraclids, or What We Talk About When We Talk About Heracles”

Roman Epics XVII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 8, or Aeneas Finds Rome

Aeneas finds some allies and some armor in today’s episode. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: Cacus + Hercules = Civilization. Discuss. Why do you think Evander is so happy to ally with Aeneas? Is The Aeneid propaganda? Why or why not? Foreshadowing: What do you think is going to happen next? Who will survive the war?Continue reading “Roman Epics XVII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 8, or Aeneas Finds Rome”

Roman Tragedy VI: Seneca’s Troades, or Not Euripides’s Trojan Women

Seneca merges two of Euripides’s plays about the end of the Trojan War with mixed results. Discussion Prompts Helen states that she finds herself “compelled to hurt the Trojans.” What do you think this means about how she originally came to Troy? Did she come willingly? Or not? What do you think of the portrayalContinue reading “Roman Tragedy VI: Seneca’s Troades, or Not Euripides’s Trojan Women”

Greek Myth XXXV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VII – Heracleidae, or Heracles Seeks Revenge

Heracles kills some more people and finally gets his comeuppance. Sort of. Discussion Prompts Does everyone deserve what they get in this chapter? Retell this from the perspective of Deianira. Or Iole. Or any of the other women Heracles, shall we say, beds. What do you think is the meaning behind the trope of buildingContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VII – Heracleidae, or Heracles Seeks Revenge”

Roman Epics XVI: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 7, or Allecto Runs Free

Juno is furious, and she knows just who to ask for help. Discussion Prompts How much free will does Lavinia have? Explain. Tell this story from Lavinia’s point of view. Why doesn’t Turnus jump at the chance to fight Aeneas? Juno or Allecto? Why? What does this book have to say about fate versus freeContinue reading “Roman Epics XVI: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 7, or Allecto Runs Free”

Roman Tragedy V: Seneca’s Medea, or Every Day a Little Death

Seneca gives us his take on Medea in today’s episode. Discussion Prompts AP Credit: How does this play teach us about stoicism? Which Medea do you prefer? That of Euripides or that of Seneca? What about Jason? What does the end of this play have to say about the gods? How would you stage thisContinue reading “Roman Tragedy V: Seneca’s Medea, or Every Day a Little Death”

Greek Myth XL: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VI – Wars of Heracles, or Why is Heracles Revered?

Heracles kills some more people and has to atone for it. Again. Discussion Prompts Tell Queen Iardanes’s story. Heracles’s “dire disease” is not described. What do you think it is? Why? Is the country of Lydia a matriarchy? Why or why not? Why do you think Iphitus believes in Heracles’s innocence over the cattle afterContinue reading “Greek Myth XL: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter VI – Wars of Heracles, or Why is Heracles Revered?”

Roman Epics XV: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 6, or Virgil Throws Some Shade(s)

Aeneas visits the Underworld and learns some things… Or does he? The Vatican keeps pretty tight reigns over photography within the Sistine Chapel, so I haven’t been able to find any copyright-free images to share. This site, however, has some excellent close-ups of the prophets and sibyls that Michelangelo includes as part of that massiveContinue reading “Roman Epics XV: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 6, or Virgil Throws Some Shade(s)”