Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
A dynamic discussion on the role of gardens and vegetation as they relate to Laertes in the Odyssey. Participants explored the significance and symbolism of the garden ranging from questions about the garden as a possible burial site for Laertes' wife Antikleia, to the parallels between growing shoots and the young heroes in a hero cult. Other themes included the status of the garden as a possible sacred precinct, its relationship to the larger community in the island of Ithaca, and connection to young Odysseus in the orchards.
Participants also examined the unique character of Pausanias and questions surrounding his spiritual and emotional transformation. Professor Nagy noted how Pausanias is a quintessential 2nd-century-CE Greek, someone with a very intellectual, very inquiring mind who takes with total seriousness the cults of gods and heroes. Finally, the conversation explored the possibility of inscriptions at the site of Pausanias, and the nature of the initiation experience.
Recorded in Fall 2020 during v14 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 14 and 15, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
A dynamic discussion on the role of gardens and vegetation as they relate to Laertes in the Odyssey. Participants explored the significance and symbolism of the garden ranging from questions about the garden as a possible burial site for Laertes' wife Antikleia, to the parallels between growing shoots and the young heroes in a hero cult. Other themes included the status of the garden as a possible sacred precinct, its relationship to the larger community in the island of Ithaca, and connection to young Odysseus in the orchards.
Participants also examined the unique character of Pausanias and questions surrounding his spiritual and emotional transformation. Professor Nagy noted how Pausanias is a quintessential 2nd-century-CE Greek, someone with a very intellectual, very inquiring mind who takes with total seriousness the cults of gods and heroes. Finally, the conversation explored the possibility of inscriptions at the site of Pausanias, and the nature of the initiation experience.
Recorded in Fall 2020 during v14 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 14 and 15, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
