Although a man named “Homer” was accepted in antiquity as the author of the poems, there is no evidence supporting the existence of such an author. By the late 1700s, careful dissection of the Iliad and Odyssey raised doubts about their composition by a single poet. Explore more about the “Homeric question” and the influence of these epics in the infographic below.
The post Homer: inspiration and controversy [Infographic] appeared first on OUPblog.
Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is a classic adventure filled with shipwrecks, feuds, obstacles, mythical creatures, and divine interventions. But how to visualize the thrilling voyage?
The map below traces Odysseus’s travel as recounted to the Phaeacians near the end of his wandering across the Mediterranean. Odysseus’s ten-year trek began in Asia Minor at the fallen city of Troy (the green marker) following the end of the Trojan War. His ultimate destination: his home in Ithaca (the red marker). Click the markers for information on each step of his journey. It is important to note that the 14 locations plotted on this map have been widely debated by both ancient and modern scholars.
Barry Powell, translator of a new edition of The Odyssey, asserts that the currently agreed upon location of the Island of the Sun (#11) is in fact modern-day Sicily. However, the characters in The Odyssey are in “never-never land,” and consequently, the locations plotted cannot be deemed entirely accurate.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Barry B. Powell is Halls-Bascom Professor of Classics Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His new free verse translation of The Odyssey was published by Oxford University Press in 2014. His translation of The Iliad was published by Oxford University Press in 2013.
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The post A map of Odysseus’s journey appeared first on OUPblog.
Cover Shot! is a regular feature here at the Café. I love discovering new covers, and when I find them, I like to share. More than anything else, I am consumed with the mystery that each new discovery represents. There is an allure to a beautiful cover. Will the story contained under the pages live up to promise of the gorgeous cover art?
I love Carolyn Meyer, and I love Ancient Greece, so Beauty’s Daughter is high, high, high on my wish list.
In stores October 2013
The Spartan princess Hermione is the daughter of Helen, who is known as the most beautiful woman in the ancient world. When Helen runs off to Troy with the handsome young Prince Paris, Hermione’s father, King Menelaus, erupts in fury. He amasses a thousand ships and sails for Troy, determined to reclaim Helen. This is the beginning of the Trojan War.
For the next ten years, young Hermione lives outside the walls of Troy and is a witness to the battles that result in the death of heroes on both sides. Can she ever forgive her mother for creating such chaos? And will Hermione find her own love and her own place in the world?
1. Heracles (Hercules)
When Heracles was born, he made enemies with Hera, one of the most powerful gods of Greek Mythology. When Heracles was a baby, Hera sent two serpents down upon him, but Heracles crushed both of them with his bare hands. As Heracles enters manhood, he accomplishes the impossible “Labours of Heracles”. Heracles eventually dies when the centaur, Nessus tricks his wife into poisoning him. During his moments of life, Heracles makes a funeral pyre for himself. As the flames engulfed this legendary hero, Zeus lifts his son up into the sky and Heracles takes his rightful place as a God of Olympus.
Heracles Crushing the Serpents
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Heracles Wrestling Cerebus, the Guard of the Underworld
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2.Thor
This warrior god of Norse Mythology was the son of the “mighty Odin”, king of gods. Thor is one of the most powerful gods of Asgard. Thor wields a short hammer called Mjolnir which has the ability to launch thunderbolts and it magically returns to the wielder whenever it is thrown. Thor travels around in a magical chariot that scorches the Earth as it soars through the sky. Thor is also known as a dangerous enemy toward the giants.
Thor Fights the Giants
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Marvel’s Adaption of Thor
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3. Achilles
This hero of the Trojan Wars is one of the most well known figures of Greek Mythology. Achilles was the son of the nymph Thetis and Peleus. When Achilles was a child, Thetis dangled Achilles on a mystical fire and started to burn away her son’s mortal half, her practice was interrupted by Peleus who was appalled at the sight. Thetis successfully burned away most of Achille’s mortal half except one small weakness, her son’s heel. Achilles set out to the Trojan War and won many victories for the Greeks. Achilles challenged Hector, prince of Troy to a duel and defeated him. After this event, he dragged Hector’s around Troy refusing to bury the warrior. This action offended the Gods and it eventually lead to his downfall. Paris, Hector’s brother shot an arrow guided by the god Apollo into Achilles’s heal. Then the great warrior fell, never to rise again.
Achilles Offends the Gods
- Note: Prince Hector’s dead body
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Death of Achilles
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4. Robin Hood
This legendary outlaw of English folklore known by people everywhere. Robin Hood is mainly known for his adventures with his outlaw group, the “Merry Men”. Robin Hood is known to have lived in the Sherwood Forest of Nottingham-shire. He is known mainly for his “stealing from the rich, and saving the poor.” Robin Hood is known as a skilled archer and in many tales, the enemy of the sheriff. Whether this figure is real or not, he has clearly earned a place in the top 5 mythical figures.
The Memorial of Robin Hood
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The Classic Disney Adaption of Robin Hood
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5. King Arthur
King Arthur, the legendary leader of the Britons is a classic symbol of chivalry and the Medieval Age. According to most Medieval histories and romances, he lead the defense of Britain from the Saxons during the 6th century. Many mystical figures surround the tales of King Arthur such as the wizard Merlin, the enchantress Moran Le Fay, and the mysterious Lady of the Lake. Arthur also wields the infamous Excalibur which makes the user win every duel and its scabbard enables the user to be invincible. At peak of his power, Arthur established the Round Table and the mystical kingdom of Camelot prospered. Arthur’s kingdom eventually fell after knights were corrupted and the king passed away.
King Arthur and the Holy Grail
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King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake
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Hey, one and all, it's Carl. Cyber Kid 303 came in today and got his free book. Here's a picture:
He's hiding behind a Matt Christopher book--and I forgot the name of it! He also checked out Ghost Circles, the latest Bone graphic novel. He said he'd write and tell us about it soon.
Bill did an awesome program on
Beowulf today. He'll tell you about it later, but here's a picture from it:
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Bill shows his utter disregard for danger by sneering at the hand of the monster Grendl as it reaches out to grab him. What coolness! What courage! I just hope he's as brave when the Lagomorph comes to town!
And we got another comment fromMelanie, and as I said, she's cool. Here's what she says:
I love Ender's Game. I wonder if Lee Wardlaw's son knows that Orson Scott Card lives in Greensboro, NC. Hmmm. . .I've never met him but I keep hoping that he'll come to Novello one year.
Thanks, Melanie. Ender's Game really is a great story. Any one else out there read it? Did you like it?
I've read a couple of really good graphic novels about heroes in the last couple of days, which is fitting since we've been doing hero programs. The first is
The Trojan Horse: The Fall of Troy: A Greek Legend by Ron and Justine Fontes.
Did you ever read about the Trojan War? The War between the Greek cities and Troy? The war that dragged on for ten years? This is how the Greeks came up with a desperate and cunning plan to capture the unsuspecting city. A really good read.
The other is
King Arthur: Excalibur Unleashed: An English Legend by Jeff Limke.
Imagine you were Arthur, a boy probably not much older than you, and that you suddenly became King of all England. Pretty cool, huh? Not if you had a bunch of rival kings who wanted to overthrow you! This is another very exciting story that says exciting no matter how many times you've heard it--and it's especially great if you've never read it before!
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