Over the past few days there have been numerous comments on the internet about two new poems by Sappho made public by Dr. Dirk Obbink of Oxford University. The most complete version of the story appears here:
Zenobia: Empress of the East: A Lyrical Literary Miracle: More Sappho (2 Updates...: The Tenth Muse Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal .* So said Sappho over 2,600 years ago and time ...
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Thursday, December 5, 2013
All-Around Piety
The definition of pietas on our page concerning the Roman virtues is:
Thanks to Drew Jacobs for providing this link on The Heroic Life.
"Dutifulness" More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others. [emphasis mine]This page with suggestions on places to donate in honor of various gods, offers some ideas for those who would like act with pietas on multiple levels.
Thanks to Drew Jacobs for providing this link on The Heroic Life.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
The Throne of Zeus
This review was originally written with Demian's Gamebook Web Page in mind, but since they already have several reviews of the book, it seemed more effective to share my thoughts here instead.
The Throne of Zeus is surprisingly effective at putting a great deal of mythological material in a small space. Most of the transitions between myths feel natural rather forced and you can see several play out nearly in their entirety. Glaring inaccuracies in the myths themselves are few, although some of the premises are more than a little suspicious. (There were physical thrones for each of the gods on Olympus? The gods have more interest in humanity on the summer solstice than during the rest of the year?) One disappointment was that the branches from one starting myth is much shorter than from the other.
There are a few opportunities for the reader's character to become (semi-)divine which some may view as impious.
The Throne of Zeus is surprisingly effective at putting a great deal of mythological material in a small space. Most of the transitions between myths feel natural rather forced and you can see several play out nearly in their entirety. Glaring inaccuracies in the myths themselves are few, although some of the premises are more than a little suspicious. (There were physical thrones for each of the gods on Olympus? The gods have more interest in humanity on the summer solstice than during the rest of the year?) One disappointment was that the branches from one starting myth is much shorter than from the other.
There are a few opportunities for the reader's character to become (semi-)divine which some may view as impious.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Baring the Aegis: 'Live Like A Stoic Week' is back!
Baring the Aegis: 'Live Like A Stoic Week' is back!: I seem to have completely missed it last year, but it seems there is such a thing as a 'Live Like A Stoic' week, and it will tak...
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Book Review: "After Rome" by Morgan Llywelyn
Since this is apparently the day I choose to link to literary reviews, I thought I might link to one of my own: a historical fiction review written for the Nova Britannia weblist. However, it turns out that some technical issue prevented it from reaching that group, so here is the full text:
This work of historical fiction uses the writings of
historians such as Gildas and Stephen Johnson to imagine life in Britain just
after the recall of the Roman army. The novel alternates between two members of
the Romanized provincial elite from the city of Viroconium, each trying to cope
with the anarchy caused by Rome's departure, and perhaps become involved in the
formation of a new society.
Although the author takes time to show the the implications of contemporary international events, the characters and the interactions between them are given at least as much attention. Perhaps to emphasize the contrast between the two protagonists, the storyline of Cadogan revolves around his relationships to his father, the other citizens of Viroconium, and a stranger who comes to live with him, while that of Dinas looks more into the psychology of each of each of his allies and less into how they relate to him.
The best points of this book, in my opinion, were the evolution of the conflict between Cadogan and his father Vintrex, the exploration of why each of companions of Dinas follows him, and the scenes showing how ordinary lives were affected by the loss of imperial government. A cameo appearance by the semi-historical King Vortigern is also a nice touch. The main weakness was some clumsiness in introducing some of the background material, particularly toward the beginning. Cadogan's dealings with his unwelcome guest Quartilla seemed implausible to me, but some may think differently.
This book would be a fair choice for non-experts interested in Late Antiquity/the Early Medieval Period, or even fans of post-Apocalyptic literature, of which this could almost be considered an example.
Although the author takes time to show the the implications of contemporary international events, the characters and the interactions between them are given at least as much attention. Perhaps to emphasize the contrast between the two protagonists, the storyline of Cadogan revolves around his relationships to his father, the other citizens of Viroconium, and a stranger who comes to live with him, while that of Dinas looks more into the psychology of each of each of his allies and less into how they relate to him.
The best points of this book, in my opinion, were the evolution of the conflict between Cadogan and his father Vintrex, the exploration of why each of companions of Dinas follows him, and the scenes showing how ordinary lives were affected by the loss of imperial government. A cameo appearance by the semi-historical King Vortigern is also a nice touch. The main weakness was some clumsiness in introducing some of the background material, particularly toward the beginning. Cadogan's dealings with his unwelcome guest Quartilla seemed implausible to me, but some may think differently.
This book would be a fair choice for non-experts interested in Late Antiquity/the Early Medieval Period, or even fans of post-Apocalyptic literature, of which this could almost be considered an example.
Foundations of Fantasy: The Odyssey
The Odyssey was written much as The Iliad was, in
hexameter meant to be spoken aloud, though scholars commonly believe
that it was written several decades later. It is the second-oldest book
in western canon, after The Iliad... - From Foundations of Fantasy: The Odyssey 
The Aeneid by Virgil
The Aeneid is The Iliad’s lesser-known younger brother. It was written by the Roman poet Virgil between 29 and 19 BC, 800 years after Homer. The story begins directly after the events of the Trojan War, following Aeneas, son of Venus, through his escape from fallen Troy to his arrival in Lavinium... - From The Aeneid by Virgil
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