This [article] is a very nice -- and welcomed -- reminder of the ambiguous, complex nature of Classical (literary) art.
Conventional wisdom suggests that classical literature focuses on the noble, larger-than-life individuals, and it is not until the turn to Judaeo-Christian tradition that the focus turns to the lives (and strifes) of everyday persons.
This case has also been made by Erich Auerbach's amazing and influential work, Mimesis.
However, as Balta points out, here, classical art was equally interested in the lives of everyday persons; it is just that Homer's legacy gained prominence in later audiences, perhaps making it the perceived norm.
I think Hesiod should be more widely read and taught today. A lot of people read the Odyssey in high school, but I've never heard of anyone being assigned Hesiod. It's strange because his works are shorter, and (in my humble opinion) even more beautifully written than Homer's. Plus there's so much mythology packed into a short space. When I was teaching myself a little bit of ancient Greek, I used the Theogony as my main text, and the sound of it spoken aloud in Greek is breathtaking.
I don’t think the article is saying that Dr. Dre is equivalent to Homer - but rather the relationship between Homer and Hesiod is similar to the relationship between Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
Dre / Cube ... relationship? Frankly, I don't have a clue what you are talking about, as I don't listen to either if I can help it, and I certainly don't keep up with their relationships. Are they married? Divorced? Hating each other...back together again? Now I am curious (not).
I was particularly fond of CSNY in my 60s days. If you compared Homer and Hesiod to the relationship between Nash and others of the group (up and down to say the least), it might make more sense to me. It may seem "hip" to make such comparisons, but comparing the classical poets to rappers is as annoying as the supposed music they produce. The word "classical" (by definition) as it relates to music precludes any but "classical" music, of which rap is not included but specifically excluded (as is Jazz, although far more pleasing to the ear than rap - just saying). If you are going to compare Greek poets to musicians, at least compare them to classical composers. Perhaps, " IF Homer were Beethoven, Hesiod would be Bach? 🙂
Ignore me- I am stuck in 120-degree heat working on a book in Babylon, Iraq, trying not to complain about the sand and the heat - but Dr. Dre and Homer - a bridge too far.
Well hello from just a mere 104 in Cairo! I'll be honest, if I had written the article myself, I too would have chosen a different comparison. But I can't blame the young folks (or least those who clearly were listening to music in the 90s) for trying to use their own references...As for Iraq - good luck! We'll actually be publishing an article on Enheduanna shortly...
Ah - Enheduanna, a favourite of mine. I have been leading groups in Iraq for almost 35 years and visit Ur frequently. I would love to read your article as I am nearing completing a comprehensive full-color guide to the Federal Republic of Iraq. Ten years ago, I published the first comprehensive 'Guide to Kurdistan', which is being updated and merged with the 'Guide to the Republic of Iraq'. It will cover all Iraq's historical and archeological sites, cultural (music, poetry, plastic arts, film, etc.), and practical issues. I will include special articles on several key Mesopotamian historical players, and Enheduanna certainly qualifies as history's first 'proclaimed' published author. It was a common view of early archaeologists (such as Wolley) that early Sumer was a man's world, and she soundly crashed that misconception, as did the Queen of Ur, Puabi. Please let me know when your article is out. Thanks.
Sounds like we should run an article by you on the subject! She is certainly fascinating, though clearly out of my realm of expertise. I really enjoyed learning more about her.
This [article] is a very nice -- and welcomed -- reminder of the ambiguous, complex nature of Classical (literary) art.
Conventional wisdom suggests that classical literature focuses on the noble, larger-than-life individuals, and it is not until the turn to Judaeo-Christian tradition that the focus turns to the lives (and strifes) of everyday persons.
This case has also been made by Erich Auerbach's amazing and influential work, Mimesis.
However, as Balta points out, here, classical art was equally interested in the lives of everyday persons; it is just that Homer's legacy gained prominence in later audiences, perhaps making it the perceived norm.
I think Hesiod should be more widely read and taught today. A lot of people read the Odyssey in high school, but I've never heard of anyone being assigned Hesiod. It's strange because his works are shorter, and (in my humble opinion) even more beautifully written than Homer's. Plus there's so much mythology packed into a short space. When I was teaching myself a little bit of ancient Greek, I used the Theogony as my main text, and the sound of it spoken aloud in Greek is breathtaking.
Hence the important “if..” 🙂
I don’t think the article is saying that Dr. Dre is equivalent to Homer - but rather the relationship between Homer and Hesiod is similar to the relationship between Dr. Dre and Ice Cube.
Dre / Cube ... relationship? Frankly, I don't have a clue what you are talking about, as I don't listen to either if I can help it, and I certainly don't keep up with their relationships. Are they married? Divorced? Hating each other...back together again? Now I am curious (not).
I was particularly fond of CSNY in my 60s days. If you compared Homer and Hesiod to the relationship between Nash and others of the group (up and down to say the least), it might make more sense to me. It may seem "hip" to make such comparisons, but comparing the classical poets to rappers is as annoying as the supposed music they produce. The word "classical" (by definition) as it relates to music precludes any but "classical" music, of which rap is not included but specifically excluded (as is Jazz, although far more pleasing to the ear than rap - just saying). If you are going to compare Greek poets to musicians, at least compare them to classical composers. Perhaps, " IF Homer were Beethoven, Hesiod would be Bach? 🙂
Ignore me- I am stuck in 120-degree heat working on a book in Babylon, Iraq, trying not to complain about the sand and the heat - but Dr. Dre and Homer - a bridge too far.
Well hello from just a mere 104 in Cairo! I'll be honest, if I had written the article myself, I too would have chosen a different comparison. But I can't blame the young folks (or least those who clearly were listening to music in the 90s) for trying to use their own references...As for Iraq - good luck! We'll actually be publishing an article on Enheduanna shortly...
Ah - Enheduanna, a favourite of mine. I have been leading groups in Iraq for almost 35 years and visit Ur frequently. I would love to read your article as I am nearing completing a comprehensive full-color guide to the Federal Republic of Iraq. Ten years ago, I published the first comprehensive 'Guide to Kurdistan', which is being updated and merged with the 'Guide to the Republic of Iraq'. It will cover all Iraq's historical and archeological sites, cultural (music, poetry, plastic arts, film, etc.), and practical issues. I will include special articles on several key Mesopotamian historical players, and Enheduanna certainly qualifies as history's first 'proclaimed' published author. It was a common view of early archaeologists (such as Wolley) that early Sumer was a man's world, and she soundly crashed that misconception, as did the Queen of Ur, Puabi. Please let me know when your article is out. Thanks.
Sounds like we should run an article by you on the subject! She is certainly fascinating, though clearly out of my realm of expertise. I really enjoyed learning more about her.