Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Discussion considering which Homeric heroes were best suited for a comparison to Plato's Socrates. Participants selected Achilles as one of the more apt points of comparison, particularly his capacity to choose justice over other things. Professor Nagy also noted the significance of the Iliad to Socrates overall, noting how instances of phrasing and quoting the Iliad reflect the philosopher's reliving and rethinking of the epic. Other characters that serve as useful models of comparison include Palamedes — in particular the unjust nature of his dying.
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hour 22, and responses to the Discussion Question.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
Discussion considering which Homeric heroes were best suited for a comparison to Plato's Socrates. Participants selected Achilles as one of the more apt points of comparison, particularly his capacity to choose justice over other things. Professor Nagy also noted the significance of the Iliad to Socrates overall, noting how instances of phrasing and quoting the Iliad reflect the philosopher's reliving and rethinking of the epic. Other characters that serve as useful models of comparison include Palamedes — in particular the unjust nature of his dying.
Recorded in Fall 2021 during v16 of the MOOC, The Ancient Greek Hero in 24 Hours, focusing on Hour 22, and responses to the Discussion Question.
With Gregory Nagy, Keith DeStone, and members of the HeroesX Team.
