Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Discussion about the tragedies of the wretched cult hero figure, Oedipus. Topics included an exploration of ancestral customs from a localized and district perspective; the role of Theseus as hero of Athens and hero of the unification of districts; and heroic pollution. In connection to this latter subject, participants explored the need for purification or 'catharsis' as in the case of Agamemnon and his killing of his daughter. Professor Nagy notices that the body politic who is the 'audience' of Athenian state theater gets to be purified with every retelling of the myth. Purification demands eternity but eternity in a cyclical way.
Recorded in Fall 2020 during v14 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 18 and 19, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
Discussion about the tragedies of the wretched cult hero figure, Oedipus. Topics included an exploration of ancestral customs from a localized and district perspective; the role of Theseus as hero of Athens and hero of the unification of districts; and heroic pollution. In connection to this latter subject, participants explored the need for purification or 'catharsis' as in the case of Agamemnon and his killing of his daughter. Professor Nagy notices that the body politic who is the 'audience' of Athenian state theater gets to be purified with every retelling of the myth. Purification demands eternity but eternity in a cyclical way.
Recorded in Fall 2020 during v14 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hours 18 and 19, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
