Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 47 minutes ago
Discussion exploring the significance of the garden of Laertes and initiation into hero cults. Professor Nagy noted how the narrations of Philostratus are complex exercises in prose retelling of heroes which extends beyond the second century CE. Discussion also turned to ways in which there are signs of hero cult in Homeric poetry, and how often the medium of narration is a double vision presenting two depictions of the character of Achilles. Participants also examined the enhancement and crystallization of Homeric poetry over the centuries and the corresponding effect this has on our understanding. On the subject of initiations, participants wondered if there were similarities between religious rituals such as baptism and initiation into hero cult although Professor Nagy pointed out the significance of infant versus adult experience, and the potency of life changing rituals for adults. Colleagues also considered how initiations can be a crisis of kinds—and how our experience of Pausanius' initiation is mediated and affected by his refusal to share, right away, that he is the subject of the ritual he describes.
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 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.
Discussion exploring the significance of the garden of Laertes and initiation into hero cults. Professor Nagy noted how the narrations of Philostratus are complex exercises in prose retelling of heroes which extends beyond the second century CE. Discussion also turned to ways in which there are signs of hero cult in Homeric poetry, and how often the medium of narration is a double vision presenting two depictions of the character of Achilles. Participants also examined the enhancement and crystallization of Homeric poetry over the centuries and the corresponding effect this has on our understanding. On the subject of initiations, participants wondered if there were similarities between religious rituals such as baptism and initiation into hero cult although Professor Nagy pointed out the significance of infant versus adult experience, and the potency of life changing rituals for adults. Colleagues also considered how initiations can be a crisis of kinds—and how our experience of Pausanius' initiation is mediated and affected by his refusal to share, right away, that he is the subject of the ritual he describes.
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 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.
