Bethany Banner

Triumvir Clio's School of Classical Civilization

Education EN ↓ 245 episodes

The literature, philosophy, and history of the Greek and Roman world covered sometimes irreverently but always with love. If you've always wanted to read ancient literature but don't know where to begin, join me at Triumvir Clio's School of Classical Civilization.

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Bethany Banner

Episodes

The Power of Myth II: The Message of the Myth, or I’ll Show You My Story if You Show Me Yours 05.06.2020 6:08

The second episode of Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth is "The Message of the Myth."  And in this 45th episode of Triumvir Clio's School of Classical Civilization , I ramble on about it for a bit. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Campbell, Joseph. "The Power Of Myth". Hoopladigital. Com , 2001, https://www.hoopladigit...

Greek Epics XIII: Iliad Book 12, or Yup, They’re Still Fighting 03.06.2020 5:01

We're about halfway through the Iliad , and, yep, they're still fighting... To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK XII".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad12.html . Accessed 19 May 2020. Lattimore, Richmond, translator.  The Iliad Of Homer . Univers...

Greek Tragedy XIII: Sophocles’s Oedipus Rex, Or You May Have Heard About His Odd Complex 01.06.2020 18:54

In this episode, we discuss what is probably the most famous Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex . To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " OEDIPUS REX".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/oedipus.notes.html . Accessed 19 May 2020. "Oedipus the King – Sophocles – Oedipus Rex Analysis, Summa...

Greek Myth V: Hymns to Dionysos, or Not Quite the God You Were Expecting 29.05.2020 7:10

In this myth episode, we start working our way through the collection of poems known as the Homeric Hymns, starting with the three poems dedicated to Dionysos. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . Reference Shelmerdine, Susan Chadwick.  The Homeric Hymns . Focus Information Group, 1995.

Greek Epics XII: Iliad Book 11, or You Get an Aristeia and You Get an Aristeia and You Get an Aristeia! 27.05.2020 6:17

Get ready for a lot of bloodshed in this battle-heavy book of the Iliad . To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK XI".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad11.html . Accessed 15 May 2020. Lattimore, Richmond, translator.  The Iliad Of Homer . University...

Greek Comedy X: Aristophanes’s Women at the Thesmophoria, or Let’s Make Fun of Euripides 25.05.2020 9:24

This comedy by Aristophanes is purportedly about the women of Athens but spends most of its time making fun of Euripides.  And, let's face it, that is a fun thing to do. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Henderson, Jeffrey.  Three Plays by Aristophanes: Staging Women . Routledge, 1996. "Thesmophoriazusae – Aristophanes...

Power of Myth I: The Hero’s Adventure, or George Lucas Loves Joseph Campbell 22.05.2020 7:54

Are you familiar with the Hero's Journey?  If not, you will be! To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Campbell, Joseph. "The Power Of Myth". Hoopladigital. Com , 2001, https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11419443. Dunn, Thom. "Getting Groceries During COVID-19 Maps Perfectly Onto Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey". Boing Boing ,...

Greek Epics XI: Iliad Book 10, or Who’s Up for a Night Raid? 20.05.2020 4:49

We finally saw Achilles again in Book 9.  Don't get used to it. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S  ILIAD : BOOK X".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad10.html. Accessed 6 May 2020. Lattimore, Richmond, translator.  The Iliad Of Homer . University...

Greek Tragedy XII: Sophocles’s Women of Trachis, or Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold 18.05.2020 11:18

This play is about how Heracles dies.  Spoiler alert... To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Sophocles.   Electra and Other Plays .  Translated by E. F. Watling.  Penguin, 1953. "The Trachiniae – Sophocles – Ancient Greece – Classical Literature".  Ancient Literature , https://www.ancient-literature.com/gre...

Greek Myth IV: Hesiod’s Shield of Heracles, or You Thought This Was Going to Be About Heracles, Didn’t You? 15.05.2020 10:14

Despite the episode title, this poem is probably not the work of Hesiod.  But it is an interesting example of a common trope in ancient Greek literature. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Brouwers, Josho. “The Shield of Heracles.”  Karwansaray Publishers Blog , 15 Aug. 2014, www.karwansaraypublishers.com/awblog/the-shi...

Greek Epics X: Iliad Book 9, or Wait, Achilles is in This? 13.05.2020 8:41

We finally get to see Achilles again.  I mean, back in Book 1, we were told that this epic is about his anger, but we've hardly seen him since! To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK IX".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad9.html. Accessed 26 Apr 202...

Greek Comedy IX: Aristophanes’s Lysistrata, or Let the Women Handle It 11.05.2020 14:33

Content Warning!  This is the famous play about how the women of Greece go on strike to stop the Peloponnesian War. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Henderson, Jeffrey.  Three Plays by Aristophanes: Staging Women . Routledge, 1996. Wasson, Donald L. " Lysistrata ."  Ancient History Encyclopedia . Ancient History...

Greek Myth III: Hesiod’s Theogony, or Imagine if Hesiod Had an Ancestry.com Account Part 2 08.05.2020 15:07

In this episode, we finish Hesiod's Theogony .  There are still a lot of begats, but we also get a couple of stories thrown in for good measure. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HESIOD: THEOGONY ".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/theogony.html. Accessed 30 Mar 2020....

Greek Epics IX: Iliad Book 8, or the Gods Just Can’t Let It Go 06.05.2020 8:25

We are officially 1/3 of the way through the Iliad .  Are you enjoying it? To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Lattimore, Richmond, translator.  The Iliad Of Homer . University of Chicago Press., 1951. Wallace, David. "The Iliad Book 8." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 17 Sep 2013. Web. 14 Apr 2020.

BONUS Episode: Brad Poer’s Antigone: Closure 05.05.2020 29:38

In this very special episode, I talk to Brad Poer about his modern adaptation of Antigone entitled Antigone: Closure . To see production photos, visit the blog post for this episode .  You can reach Brad at poerb@kellogg.edu .

Greek Tragedy XI: Sophocles’s Antigone, or Antigone Doesn’t Care What You Think 04.05.2020 19:12

In this episode, we review Antigone .  As with many Greek tragedies, this one includes the subject of suicide. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References “ANTIGONE - SOPHOCLES PLAY - ANALYSIS & SUMMARY - GREEK MYTHOLOGY.”  Ancient Literature , 14 Nov. 2019, www.ancient-literature.com/greece_sophocles_antigone.html. Bobrick,...

Greek Myth II: Hesiod’s Theogony, or Imagine if Hesiod Had an Ancestry.com Account Part 1 01.05.2020 18:05

In this episode, we begin working our way through Hesiod's Theogony , a kind of Book of Genesis for Greek mythology. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HESIOD: THEOGONY ".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/theogony.html. Accessed 30 Mar 2020. Hesiod.  Theogony and Works...

Greek Epics VIII: Iliad Book 7, or High Noon Lasts Till Nightfall 29.04.2020 8:29

In this episode, we continue reading The Iliad .  And we find out just how Big Ajax wound up with Hektor's sword. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK VII".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad7.html. Accessed 25 Mar 2020. Lattimore, Richmond, trans...

Greek Comedy VIII: Aristophanes’s Birds, or Tippi Hedren, Eat Your Heart Out 27.04.2020 11:19

Today's episode is about Aristophanes's trippy play Birds .  It's a weird one.  Funny.  But weird. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Aristophanes. Aristophanes I: Clouds; Wasps; Birds. Translated by Peter Meineck, Hackett Pub., 1998. "The Birds – Aristophanes | Play Summary & Analysis | Ancient Greece – C...

Greek Epics VII: Iliad Book 6, or Doris Day Visits Troy 22.04.2020 7:27

This is my favorite book of the Iliad .  I like to imagine Hektor singing "Que Sera Sera" as he walks back to battle at the end of it. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK VI".  Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad6.html. Accessed 17 Mar 2020. Lattim...

Greek Tragedy X: Sophocles’s Ajax, or When Good Heroes Go Bad 20.04.2020 17:22

A content warning for today's episode:  This play deals with suicide.  And with that, welcome to Sophocles! To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References "ᐅ AJAX - SOPHOCLES | PLAY SUMMARY & ANALYSIS | Ancient Greece".  Ancient Literature , https://www.ancient-literature.com/greece_sophocles_ajax.html. Accessed 9 Mar 2020...

Greek Myth I: Hesiod’s Works & Days, Or Meet Greece’s Grumpy Cat 17.04.2020 9:47

In this episode, we start a new course covering the parts of Greek mythology that aren't found in plays or epics.  The biggest of these primary sources were written by Hesiod, and he introduces himself in Works and Days . To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HESIOD: WORKS AND DAYS ".  Public. Wsu. Ed...

Greek Epics VI: Iliad Book 5, or Diomedes Steals the Spotlight 15.04.2020 7:19

In this episode, we follow the aristeia of Diomedes, and we see the perks of being the child of a god. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Lattimore, Richmond, translator.  The Iliad Of Homer . University of Chicago Press., 1951. Wallace, David. "The Iliad Book 5." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 17 Sep 2013. Web.  5 Mar 2020.

Greek Comedy VII: Aristophanes’s Clouds, or Socrates is a Joke 13.04.2020 13:02

In this episode, we join Aristophanes in making fun of Socrates, a nice change from making fun of the Peloponnesian War. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Aristophanes. Aristophanes I: Clouds; Wasps; Birds. Translated by Peter Meineck, Hackett Pub., 1998. "ᐅ THE CLOUDS - ARISTOPHANES | PLAY SUMMARY & ANALYSIS | Ancient...

Greek Epics V: Iliad Book 4, or Henry V Visits Troy 08.04.2020 6:18

In Book Four of the Iliad , we finally get to the war part of this war story.  After a few rousing speeches, of course. To join the discussion, visit the blog at Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization . References Delahoyde, Michael. " HOMER'S ILIAD: BOOK IV". Public. Wsu. Edu , https://public.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/mythology/iliad4.html. Accessed 24 Feb 2020. Lattimore, Richmond, transl...