The Homeric Epic Podcast

Hello Everyone! Another episode where I answer some listener questions and ramble on about whatever else I’ve been reading on Homer! This time I discuss, in broad strokes, how Homer is foundational to our western notion of literature, the attitude of women in Homer to their (usually) unfortunate fates, and lastly about a book I’ve been reading that has changed the way I see the Homeric poems: The...

This episode resumes where we last left Zeus, as he was taking a very deep nap upon Mt. Ida. The fighting is renewed and the hope for the Achaeans dwindling. The Trojans push the Achaeans back farther than ever before, and things are beginning to look dire. In this book I cover some interesting linguistic remnants in a description about Hera’s punishment, as well as how the final revealing of the...

Hi everyone! Thought I’d try going off the cuff for an episode and answering a question posed on the substack chat! This might be a good way for me to produce more stuff for you to listen to between the main episodes. I think it could be fun to get some dialogue and questions going back and forth online, so if you have any questions feel free to ask! In this first episode I answer a question on wh...

The fighting reaches a new pitch, and things look dire for the Achaean leaders. They do what they can, and so does Hera. Book 14 and its famous ‘Dios Apate’ appear strange nestled between bouts of gruesome fighting, but like many things that seem out of place in the Iliad, it serves a wider purpose. In this episode I explain why this strange event belongs where it does, and how it explores on of t...

The Trojans have broken through the wall, and the fighting is fierce! Zeus takes a brief reprieve from supervising the battle, and Poseidon has a chance to step in and aid the Achaeans. He empowers the Aiantes, and the Cretans Idomeneus and Meriones, the former of which excels in battle this book. There is some humorous banter between the two Cretan heroes, but after putting jokes aside the two en...

In this episode we cover the teichomachia , or the battle around the walls of the Greeks. This book contains some great similes and we also hear a great speech from Sarpedon on why the heroes fight, which connects both Hector and Achilles. Hector is on display this book, and it all points to his moment of triumph when he picks up a big rock. His breach of the wall is contrasted with the beginning...

In this episode we return to proper Iliadic form: battle. After the night raid both sides are ready to go. We cover the Aristeia of Agamemnon, and also that of Hector. I also go over why Diomedes features so prominently in this book. Lastly, I touch on the connections between book 11 and the last two, which we’re surprising to me! Just goes to show that there is always something new to learn about...

In this episode I cover the black sheep of the Iliad, one of the strangest books in the poem: the night raid of Diomedes and Odysseus, or the Doloneia . We cover Diomedes and Odysseus brave expedition to spy on the Trojans, and meet the colorful character Dolon, if only for a brief while. I also discuss some ways that scholars have criticized this book for its awkwardness of place and subject, but...

Continuing from the last episode, we cover the 2nd half of Iliad book 9. Having already heard from Odysseus and Achilles, we hear from a new character: Phoenix. He delivers the longest speech in the entire poem, detailing 3 paradeigmatic stories on why Achilles should return to battle. Achilles replies, and lastly we hear from straight-talking Ajax. Achilles position is beginning to look a bit unr...

In this 10th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we cover the first half of book 9, the start to the pivotal ‘Embassy to Achilles’. The tension between Achilles and Agamemnon has reached a critical point, and Agamemnon, desperate to save the Greek forces, sends an embassy to Achilles with lavish gifts, hoping to persuade him back into the fight. Achilles’ response is a powerful, emotional speech...

In this 9th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we delve into book 8 of the Iliad, full of heroes and Gods driving chariots. We see how Diomedes inviting Nestor to flee the battlefield mirrors a different moment from the Trojan war, and how Athena and Hera try to copy the mortal champions, but don’t have the chutzpah to defy the thunderbolts of Zeus. Lastly, we take a look at the famous simile of...

In the 8th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we go over the duel between Ajax and Hector, diving into the speeches preceding and following the clash between heroes. There are some interesting connections between the stories told by Nestor and the later events of the Iliad, and I also explore just how far the plot has progressed as the first day of fighting comes to an end. This is a public epis...

In the 7th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we delve into the life of Hector: The Mortal Man. As Hector returns briefly to Troy we are given a glimpse inside the doomed city, and inside the life of the doomed hero. Book 6 is one of the more thematically self consistent books of the Iliad, and I attempt to highlight how seemingly small moments in the beginning are meant to frame the big emotion...

In this 6th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we cover the longest book in the Iliad, book 5. Filled entirely by the exploits of the hero Diomedes as Athena contrives to bring honor to the young hero, we see how Homer is training us on model heroic behavior in these early books, preparing us to compare between Diomedes and Achilles aristeia. I also touch on some fascinating comparative mytholog...

In this 5th episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we will cover book 4 of the Iliad. The tension built by the first 3 books is held in the bowstring of Pandarus, and released in a shot that severs the oath between armies made in book 3. Battle begins, and the stage is set for one champion to take the spotlight. Finally, I discuss the epic story telling device known as the Aristeia, its characterist...

In this episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we cover book 3 of the Iliad, and a possible conclusion to the Trojan war; the duel between Menelaus and Paris, winner-takes the beautiful Helen. I also discuss some obscure myths contained in epic simile, and one explanation for the location of book divisions in the Iliad. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribe...

In this episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast we cover the lengthy catalogue of ships that dominates book 2 of the Iliad. I cover the mythological references and subtle details that belies this seemingly long and strange passage, and show how there is much more than meets the eye in book 2. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus epis...

In this episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast, we dive deep into book 1 of the Iliad, the start of it all. Join me as Homer sets the stage for the destruction and death caused by one mans ὕβρις and another mans μῆνις. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit homericepicpodcast.substack.com

Welcome to the first episode of the Homeric Epic Podcast! In this introductory episode we’ll go over the goals of the podcast, the scope, and a background on the Homeric epics. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit homericepicpodcast.substack.com