The Very Short Introductions Podcast Homer – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 25
Apr 8, 2021
Barbara Graziosi, a Professor of Classics and author, dives into the captivating world of Homer, discussing the complexity of the Iliad and the Odyssey. She highlights the unconventional nature of these epics compared to other ancient poetry. Graziosi explores themes of mortality and survival, contrasting Odysseus' choices in the Odyssey. She also examines how readers across time have constructed myths about Homer, revealing the enduring power of these narratives to resonate with audiences today.
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Author's Academic Journey
- Barbara Graziosi describes her academic journey from Italy to Oxford, Cambridge, the UK and Princeton.
- She mentions writing Homer: A Very Short Introduction and being asked to write a Very Short Introduction to Sappho.
Clarifying The Homeric Question
- The 'Homeric question' concerns who composed the Iliad and the Odyssey and how they were created.
- Graziosi aims to present evidence clearly so readers can judge theories about composition themselves.
Epic Scale Versus Expectation
- The Iliad and the Odyssey are monumental epics unlike expected short occasion poems.
- They required long performances and their appeal to ancient and later audiences is a central puzzle.
