Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Discussion about the role of injustice or unfairness in the Homeric epic. As Prof. Nagy pointed out, things are often unfair in the world of myth, and the view of 5th century Athenians reflects this. Even the just may not get a sense of justice in their lifetime. The participants also turned to the question and idea of one master narrator and muse, versus the many. Here as elsewhere, Prof. Nagy emphasized the significance and value of the verbal art form, and the importance of listening and performance versus mere reading of a text.
Essay and painting mentioned during the discussion:
A question of "reception": how could Homer ever outlive his own moments of performance?
Originally published at Classical Inquiries; rewritten and now available at Classical Continuum:
https://continuum.fas.harvard.edu/a-question-of-reception-how-could-homer-ever-outlive-his-own-moments-of-performance/
Bela Čikoš Sesija (1864–1931), Homer uči Dantea, Shakespearea i Goethea pjevat (Homer Teaches Dante, Shakespeare, and Goethe to sing), 1909. In the Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homer_u%C4%8Di_Dantea_Shakespearea_i_Goethea_pjevati.JPG
Public domain
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focussing on Hours 1 and 2, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith Destone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
Discussion about the role of injustice or unfairness in the Homeric epic. As Prof. Nagy pointed out, things are often unfair in the world of myth, and the view of 5th century Athenians reflects this. Even the just may not get a sense of justice in their lifetime. The participants also turned to the question and idea of one master narrator and muse, versus the many. Here as elsewhere, Prof. Nagy emphasized the significance and value of the verbal art form, and the importance of listening and performance versus mere reading of a text.
Essay and painting mentioned during the discussion:
A question of "reception": how could Homer ever outlive his own moments of performance?
Originally published at Classical Inquiries; rewritten and now available at Classical Continuum:
https://continuum.fas.harvard.edu/a-question-of-reception-how-could-homer-ever-outlive-his-own-moments-of-performance/
Bela Čikoš Sesija (1864–1931), Homer uči Dantea, Shakespearea i Goethea pjevat (Homer Teaches Dante, Shakespeare, and Goethe to sing), 1909. In the Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homer_u%C4%8Di_Dantea_Shakespearea_i_Goethea_pjevati.JPG
Public domain
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focussing on Hours 1 and 2, and responses to the Discussion Questions.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith Destone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
