The Greeks – Page 14 – Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization

Greek Epics VIII: Iliad Book 7, or High Noon Lasts Till Nightfall

We’re nearly a third of the way through the Iliad. I look forward to hearing your thoughts so far! Discussion Prompts Should Paris return Helen? Why or why not? What do you think would have happened if he did? What if she went of her own volition? Who do you think would have won the duel? Why? In theContinue reading “Greek Epics VIII: Iliad Book 7, or High Noon Lasts Till Nightfall”

Greek Comedy VIII: Aristophanes’s Birds, or Tippi Hedren, Eat Your Heart Out

Birds is a weird play. For Aristophanes, it is a long play. But it also isn’t as topical as several of Aristophanes’s other plays. It is unique in the oeuvre that is Old Comedy. Discussion Prompts: Goodhope largely disappears as the play progresses. What does this make you think about the relationship between Makemedo andContinue reading “Greek Comedy VIII: Aristophanes’s Birds, or Tippi Hedren, Eat Your Heart Out”

Greek Epics VII: Iliad Book 6, or Doris Day Visits Troy

This is my favorite book of the Iliad. In the podcast episode, I focused on the final section of this book (because that’s my favorite part), but there’s a lot more that we can talk about. Discussion Prompts What do you think about the interchange between Diomedes and Glaukos? What does this tell us about honorContinue reading “Greek Epics VII: Iliad Book 6, or Doris Day Visits Troy”

Greek Tragedy X: Sophocles’s Ajax, or When Good Heroes Go Bad

We start Sophocles today with what we believe is his oldest surviving play. Ajax is a pretty heavy story and deals with his death by suicide. Discussion Prompts: This play breaks from convention by including an on-stage death. Why do you think Ajax dies on stage? If you were directing this play today, how wouldContinue reading “Greek Tragedy X: Sophocles’s Ajax, or When Good Heroes Go Bad”

Greek Myth I: Hesiod’s Works & Days, Or Meet Greece’s Grumpy Cat

In Works & Days, we get a little bit of mythology and a lot of Hesiod’s personality. Discussion Prompts What do you think of Hesiod? What do you think about the races of man? Are we still in Hesiod’s Iron Age? If not, how would you describe the age today and how many other agesContinue reading “Greek Myth I: Hesiod’s Works & Days, Or Meet Greece’s Grumpy Cat”

Greek Epics VI: Iliad Book 5, or Diomedes Steals the Spotlight

This book of the Iliad focuses on the aristeia of Diomedes. I look forward to your thoughts! Discussion Prompts What do you think about Diomedes? Do you like him? Why or why not? What are your thoughts on the gods in this book? Who do you want to see get an aristeia? Why?

Greek Comedy VII: Aristophanes’s Clouds, or Socrates is a Joke

According to Ian Storey, this is the most famous of Aristophanes’s plays. It’s not the first one I think of, but it does translate pretty well to today. Discussion Prompts When you think of Aristophanes, what’s the first play you think of? Why? What do you think about the conflict between science and religion in thisContinue reading “Greek Comedy VII: Aristophanes’s Clouds, or Socrates is a Joke”

Greek Epics V: Iliad Book 4, or Henry V Visits Troy

We are up to Book Four of the Iliad, and we finally will get to some fighting. Okay, there was technically fighting in Book Three, but this is a proper battle. We just need to hear some rousing (or not so rousing) speeches first. Discussion Prompts What do you think of Agamemnon in this book?Continue reading “Greek Epics V: Iliad Book 4, or Henry V Visits Troy”

Greek Tragedy IX: Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound, or He Didn’t Start the Fire

I had completely forgotten I’d read Prometheus Bound until I went to reread it. After all, there isn’t much drama in this play. Nothing in particular happens. But it is an incredible source for Greek mythology. I look forward to your thoughts on this play. Discussion Prompts Who is your favorite character? Why? If youContinue reading “Greek Tragedy IX: Aeschylus’s Prometheus Bound, or He Didn’t Start the Fire”

Greek Epics IV: Iliad Book 3, or Helen Gets Her Groove Back

We finally see a bit of battle, until Aphrodite decides to intervene. But Helen finally gets a voice, and she definitely gives people (and Aphrodite) a piece of her mind. Discussion Prompts Who is your favorite character in this book? Why? Who is your least favorite character? Why? What do you think is happening inContinue reading “Greek Epics IV: Iliad Book 3, or Helen Gets Her Groove Back”