Hector wearing Achilles armor… I get that taking opponents armor as treasure, but wearing it tauntingly? It seems like a particularly bad idea, like poking a bear with a hornet’s nest. I’m trying to think what a modern equivalent would be?
Using captured military weapons and gear. We have seen this frequently over the years when forces capture a stronghold of the opposing group. Take their weapons, vehicles, and sometimes uniforms. If you can capture the enemy's uniforms you can infiltrate his ranks which is useful, but if you can use his weapons and armored vehicles against him, that is just downright discouraging.
For a modern equivalent- look at modern terrorism - sending back dead bodies of hostages disfigured and disrespected. Dicapitating journalists. Torturing dissidents. The Bronze Age is alive and well in the 21st century.
I’d really like to do some further reading on Homer and these poems. Are there particular websites or books you found useful in preparing these weekly updates?
Meredith, I don't have any specific website I use. My resources vary from week to week depending on the chapter and the special focus topic. I usually read the chapter two or three times, from a couple different translations. I take a lot of notes and start to identify threads I want to follow or pull.
Then, this is the one place I allow myself to us AI. I prefer Claude and have found it to be a better research assistant than Google search. I give it a prompt to help me find resources. So for this week's essay I might say, "Provide me with primary resources that examine the life and influence of Menelaus." Then Claude comes back with a list of resources. Sometimes books, sometimes scholarly articles, etc... that I will then read to fill in gaps in my knowledge.
When it comes time to write though, I am going strictly from my notes and ideas. I am trying to make connections from the original text to my life (and my readers lives). Not sure if I am successful in that but that is my goal.
Some of the resources I have used include the following:
1. Translations (Primary Texts)
Robert Fagles – Known for poetic beauty and readability. Includes excellent introductions and notes.
Richmond Lattimore – More literal and faithful to the Greek; widely respected in academic settings.
Caroline Alexander – A more recent Iliad translation that is faithful and elegant.
Emily Wilson – The first woman to publish an English translation of The Odyssey. Praised for clarity and modern idiom.
Stanley Lombardo – Rhythmic, dramatic, and highly readable; often used in performance and classroom settings.
2. Companion Texts and Commentaries - These help explain historical context, characters, literary structure, and themes:
Homer: A Guide for the Perplexed by Ahuvia Kahane – Clear, accessible guide to both epics.
The Cambridge Companion to Homer – Scholarly essays covering historical background, oral tradition, and themes.
The Landmark Iliad / The Landmark Odyssey (ed. Robert B. Strassler) – Superb annotated editions with maps, timelines, and scholarly notes.
The Essential Homer (trans. Stanley Lombardo) – A condensed version with good introductory materials for beginners.
3. Scholarly Books and Analysis - For deeper literary and historical insight:
Homeric Moments by Eva Brann – Literary essays on key moments from both epics.
Homer the Theologian by Robert Lamberton – Explores allegorical interpretations and philosophical readings.
Homeric Questions by Gregory Nagy – An advanced scholarly take on the Homeric tradition and the oral-poetic model.
The World of Odysseus by M.I. Finley – Examines the social and historical world of The Odyssey.
4. Online Courses and Lectures - Many are free and taught by top professors:
Yale Open Courses – “The Ancient Greek Hero” by Gregory Nagy (Harvard) – A comprehensive exploration of Homer’s texts and related Greek literature ([available on edX and YouTube](https://www.edx.org/course/the-ancient-greek-hero)).
Yale University – “Introduction to the Classical World” by Donald Kagan – Includes lectures on The Iliad.
The Teaching Company / Great Courses – “Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature” – Includes Homeric characters and their literary legacy.
5. Podcasts and Audio Resources
The History of Literature Podcast – Episodes on The Iliad and The Odyssey offer great background.
In Our Time (BBC Radio 4) – Episodes on Homer, The Iliad, and The Odyssey, featuring scholars.
Literature and History Podcast – Engaging episodes exploring the literary and historical background of ancient texts.
6. Tools for Close Reading - To help you analyze structure, themes, and devices:
Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University) – Access to Greek texts, English translations, and word tools.
Loeb Classical Library (Harvard University Press) – Side-by-side Greek and English with scholarly notes.
Homeric Greek: A Book for Beginners by Clyde Pharr – If you're learning ancient Greek to read Homer in the original.
7. Study Guides and Secondary Education Tools - Helpful for review, teaching, or discussion:
Shmoop / SparkNotes / CliffsNotes – Useful for quick summaries, character lists, and thematic outlines.
Oxford World's Classics and Penguin Classics Editions – Often come with introductory essays and footnotes by leading scholars.
Teaching the Epic: The Iliad and The Odyssey – Resources and guides for educators, but also helpful for independent learners.
These resources range from entry-level to very academic. I think you could pick and choose how you want to approach it. Another thing that I have found AI very useful for is developing a reading program for a specific course of study. You could give it a prompt like, "I am reading Homer's The Iliad translated by Robert Fagles. I want to learn more about historical Greece, the Greek pantheon, Greek mythology, and the major characters in The Iliad. Provide me a reading program that helps me go deeper than the primary text. I am interested in an entry level of knowledge so I don't want it to be too academic at this point."
Of course, you always have to double check the work of AI but it can be helpful to develop a research plan and then you go do the reading on your own.
Thank you so much for your prompt and very detailed response Matthew. You’ve certainly put a lot of work into developing this group read and have also given me lots to follow up. For example, I’m in Australia and had no idea that your Universities offered online learning so I will definitely have a look at that. I’ve also just had a look at the Cambridge guide, so I will order that. I really appreciate your reply 😊
What a gripping way to open! I loved how you showed Menelaus not just as Helen’s husband, but as a quietly heroic figure who anchors the chaos. Such a great read.
I particularly like how your essay draws a line from the determination of the Achaeans to protect Patroclus's corpse to our modern rituals to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It seems that this is something universal throughout all cultures and from ancient times to the present. Your essay caused me to ponder the rationale for this practice. To say that it is a way to honor the fallen and express communal appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice seems inadequate to explain how deeply ingrained this tradition is in our psyche. I lack the words to explain adequately why memorializing and honoring soldiers who are killed just feels deeply like the right thing to do - and how grievously wrong it would be not to do so.
When I read about the determination of the Achaeans to protect Patroclus' body and deliver it to Achilles, I had the nagging feeling that, in addition to motivations of honor and ritual, the Achaeans are hoping that the site of Patroclus body will spur Achilles into action. Am I just letting cynicism creep into my reading?
Your description of Menelaus, his character and motivations is eloquent. Menelaus has the qualities I would like to see in all our leaders, both military and political.
There is an element in which honouring the dead seeks to reaffirm the values for which they died. This is why we sometimes struggle when the rationale for conflicts is not clearly consistent and when we cannot articulate which values we’re seeking to preserve convincingly.
The commentary on Menelaus’ leadership as the middle way is very relevant right now. We just had an election in Australia and gratefully it seems that we have rejected both sides of the fear based culture wars. We have opted for the boring Prime Minister - although I wouldn’t compare him to Menelaus and I don’t think his partner has run away with a pretty young stranger, your comments about Menalus’ less dynamic leadership resonate in this context.
Hector wearing Achilles armor… I get that taking opponents armor as treasure, but wearing it tauntingly? It seems like a particularly bad idea, like poking a bear with a hornet’s nest. I’m trying to think what a modern equivalent would be?
Using captured military weapons and gear. We have seen this frequently over the years when forces capture a stronghold of the opposing group. Take their weapons, vehicles, and sometimes uniforms. If you can capture the enemy's uniforms you can infiltrate his ranks which is useful, but if you can use his weapons and armored vehicles against him, that is just downright discouraging.
For a modern equivalent- look at modern terrorism - sending back dead bodies of hostages disfigured and disrespected. Dicapitating journalists. Torturing dissidents. The Bronze Age is alive and well in the 21st century.
Hi Matthew,
I’d really like to do some further reading on Homer and these poems. Are there particular websites or books you found useful in preparing these weekly updates?
Thanks,
Meredith
😊
Meredith, I don't have any specific website I use. My resources vary from week to week depending on the chapter and the special focus topic. I usually read the chapter two or three times, from a couple different translations. I take a lot of notes and start to identify threads I want to follow or pull.
Then, this is the one place I allow myself to us AI. I prefer Claude and have found it to be a better research assistant than Google search. I give it a prompt to help me find resources. So for this week's essay I might say, "Provide me with primary resources that examine the life and influence of Menelaus." Then Claude comes back with a list of resources. Sometimes books, sometimes scholarly articles, etc... that I will then read to fill in gaps in my knowledge.
When it comes time to write though, I am going strictly from my notes and ideas. I am trying to make connections from the original text to my life (and my readers lives). Not sure if I am successful in that but that is my goal.
Some of the resources I have used include the following:
1. Translations (Primary Texts)
Robert Fagles – Known for poetic beauty and readability. Includes excellent introductions and notes.
Richmond Lattimore – More literal and faithful to the Greek; widely respected in academic settings.
Caroline Alexander – A more recent Iliad translation that is faithful and elegant.
Emily Wilson – The first woman to publish an English translation of The Odyssey. Praised for clarity and modern idiom.
Stanley Lombardo – Rhythmic, dramatic, and highly readable; often used in performance and classroom settings.
2. Companion Texts and Commentaries - These help explain historical context, characters, literary structure, and themes:
Homer: A Guide for the Perplexed by Ahuvia Kahane – Clear, accessible guide to both epics.
The Cambridge Companion to Homer – Scholarly essays covering historical background, oral tradition, and themes.
The Landmark Iliad / The Landmark Odyssey (ed. Robert B. Strassler) – Superb annotated editions with maps, timelines, and scholarly notes.
The Essential Homer (trans. Stanley Lombardo) – A condensed version with good introductory materials for beginners.
3. Scholarly Books and Analysis - For deeper literary and historical insight:
Homeric Moments by Eva Brann – Literary essays on key moments from both epics.
Homer the Theologian by Robert Lamberton – Explores allegorical interpretations and philosophical readings.
Homeric Questions by Gregory Nagy – An advanced scholarly take on the Homeric tradition and the oral-poetic model.
The World of Odysseus by M.I. Finley – Examines the social and historical world of The Odyssey.
4. Online Courses and Lectures - Many are free and taught by top professors:
Yale Open Courses – “The Ancient Greek Hero” by Gregory Nagy (Harvard) – A comprehensive exploration of Homer’s texts and related Greek literature ([available on edX and YouTube](https://www.edx.org/course/the-ancient-greek-hero)).
Yale University – “Introduction to the Classical World” by Donald Kagan – Includes lectures on The Iliad.
The Teaching Company / Great Courses – “Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature” – Includes Homeric characters and their literary legacy.
5. Podcasts and Audio Resources
The History of Literature Podcast – Episodes on The Iliad and The Odyssey offer great background.
In Our Time (BBC Radio 4) – Episodes on Homer, The Iliad, and The Odyssey, featuring scholars.
Literature and History Podcast – Engaging episodes exploring the literary and historical background of ancient texts.
6. Tools for Close Reading - To help you analyze structure, themes, and devices:
Perseus Digital Library (Tufts University) – Access to Greek texts, English translations, and word tools.
Loeb Classical Library (Harvard University Press) – Side-by-side Greek and English with scholarly notes.
Homeric Greek: A Book for Beginners by Clyde Pharr – If you're learning ancient Greek to read Homer in the original.
7. Study Guides and Secondary Education Tools - Helpful for review, teaching, or discussion:
Shmoop / SparkNotes / CliffsNotes – Useful for quick summaries, character lists, and thematic outlines.
Oxford World's Classics and Penguin Classics Editions – Often come with introductory essays and footnotes by leading scholars.
Teaching the Epic: The Iliad and The Odyssey – Resources and guides for educators, but also helpful for independent learners.
These resources range from entry-level to very academic. I think you could pick and choose how you want to approach it. Another thing that I have found AI very useful for is developing a reading program for a specific course of study. You could give it a prompt like, "I am reading Homer's The Iliad translated by Robert Fagles. I want to learn more about historical Greece, the Greek pantheon, Greek mythology, and the major characters in The Iliad. Provide me a reading program that helps me go deeper than the primary text. I am interested in an entry level of knowledge so I don't want it to be too academic at this point."
Of course, you always have to double check the work of AI but it can be helpful to develop a research plan and then you go do the reading on your own.
Wow!
Thank you so much for your prompt and very detailed response Matthew. You’ve certainly put a lot of work into developing this group read and have also given me lots to follow up. For example, I’m in Australia and had no idea that your Universities offered online learning so I will definitely have a look at that. I’ve also just had a look at the Cambridge guide, so I will order that. I really appreciate your reply 😊
Thank you for such a comprehensive list and a peek behind the curtain at all your work
What a gripping way to open! I loved how you showed Menelaus not just as Helen’s husband, but as a quietly heroic figure who anchors the chaos. Such a great read.
I particularly like how your essay draws a line from the determination of the Achaeans to protect Patroclus's corpse to our modern rituals to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It seems that this is something universal throughout all cultures and from ancient times to the present. Your essay caused me to ponder the rationale for this practice. To say that it is a way to honor the fallen and express communal appreciation and gratitude for their sacrifice seems inadequate to explain how deeply ingrained this tradition is in our psyche. I lack the words to explain adequately why memorializing and honoring soldiers who are killed just feels deeply like the right thing to do - and how grievously wrong it would be not to do so.
When I read about the determination of the Achaeans to protect Patroclus' body and deliver it to Achilles, I had the nagging feeling that, in addition to motivations of honor and ritual, the Achaeans are hoping that the site of Patroclus body will spur Achilles into action. Am I just letting cynicism creep into my reading?
Your description of Menelaus, his character and motivations is eloquent. Menelaus has the qualities I would like to see in all our leaders, both military and political.
There is an element in which honouring the dead seeks to reaffirm the values for which they died. This is why we sometimes struggle when the rationale for conflicts is not clearly consistent and when we cannot articulate which values we’re seeking to preserve convincingly.
The commentary on Menelaus’ leadership as the middle way is very relevant right now. We just had an election in Australia and gratefully it seems that we have rejected both sides of the fear based culture wars. We have opted for the boring Prime Minister - although I wouldn’t compare him to Menelaus and I don’t think his partner has run away with a pretty young stranger, your comments about Menalus’ less dynamic leadership resonate in this context.