Make the New Year Fearless and Rich!

December 31, 2021 ~ sententiaeantiquae ~ 1 Comment

Seneca, Moral Epistle 88.3-4

“They celebrate the New Year for me daily and I make the day happy and helpful with good thoughts and an open mind—for the mind is never greater than when it puts aside all useless things and has created peace by fearing nothing and has made itself rich by desiring nothing at all.”

Cotidie mihi annum novum faciunt, quem ego faustum et felicem reddo bonis cogitationibus et animi magnitudine, qui numquam maior est, quam ubi aliena seposuit et fecit sibi pacem nihil timendo, fecit sibi divitias nihil concupiscendo.

Ptolemy, Tetrabilos 2.92

“Therefore, it is simply the case that no single point is the beginning of a circle and none is the first [the solstices or equinoxes]; those who have written on them before have used any one of the four dates differently, using each on as a starting point, following their own argumentation based on the nature of each point in time. Naturally, each on of these parts has some attractive reason for why it might rightly be the beginning of the New Year”

κατὰ μὲν οὖν τὴν ἁπλῆν καὶ κυκλικὴν φύσιν οὐδὲν αὐτῶν ἐστιν ὡς ἐπὶ μιᾶς ἀρχῆς προηγούμενον· κέχρηνται δὲ οἱ περὶ τούτων γράψαντες, ἕν τι ὑποτιθέμενοι διαφόρως, ἐκάστῳ τῶν τεττάρων ὡς ἀρχὴν κατά τινας οἰκείους λόγους καὶ φυσικὰς συμπαθείας ἐνεχθέντες. καὶ γὰρ ἔχει τι τῶν μερῶν τούτων ἕκαστον ἐξαίρετον ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἂν ἀρχὴ καὶ νέον ἔτος εἰκότως νομίζοιτο·

Konstanin Gorbatov, “Fireworks in Venice”

The Effect of the Classics on Young and Old

December 30, 2021 ~ Erik ~ Leave a comment

John Henry Newman, An Essay in Aid of a Grammar of Assent:

“Let us consider, too, how differently young and old are affected by the words of some classic author, such as Homer or Horace. Passages, which to a boy are but rhetorical common-places, neither better nor worse than a hundred others which any clever writer might supply, which he gets by heart and thinks very fine, and imitates, as he thinks, successfully, in his own flowing versification, at length come home to him, when long years have passed, and he has had experience of life, and pierce him, as if he had never before known them, with their sad earnestness and vivid exactness. Then he comes to understand how it is that lines, the birth of some chance morning or evening at an Ionian festival, or among the Sabine hills, have lasted generation after generation, for thousands of years, with a power over the mind, and a charm, which the current literature of his own day, with all its obvious advantages, is utterly unable to rival.”

Image result for j.h. newman

The Best New Year’s Gift

December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 ~ lawrencebenn ~ Leave a comment

More than one ancient writer might have said that the New Year’s gift with universal appeal is friendship (cue groans).

Here Aristotle makes the logical case for friendship, and Euripides shows friendship at work:

Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. 1169b.19-21

No one would wish to enjoy all good things by himself, for human beings are social and born to live with others. Accordingly, a happy person requires the company of others. Also, a happy person possesses the things that are by their nature good. And, it’s clearly better to pass one’s time among friends and good people than among strangers and people who just happen to be on hand. Therefore it follows that a happy person must have friends.

Euripides. Electra. 67-73

I regard you as a friend on par with the gods,
For you have not slighted me in my distress.
It’s great luck when mortals find someone who doctors
To their misfortunes, such as I find in you.
So it’s only right I lighten your burden, unasked;
Add my hands to yours in work, best I can,
So you might more easily carry on.

Aristotle:

οὐδεὶς γὰρ ἕλοιτ᾽ ἂν καθ᾽ αὑτὸν τὰ πάντ᾽ ἔχειν ἀγαθά: πολιτικὸν γὰρ ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ συζῆν πεφυκός. καὶ τῷ εὐδαίμονι δὴ τοῦθ᾽ ὑπάρχει: τὰ γὰρ τῇ φύσει ἀγαθὰ ἔχει, δῆλον δ᾽ ὡς μετὰ φίλων καὶ ἐπιεικῶν κρεῖττον ἢ μετ᾽ ὀθνείων καὶ τῶν τυχόντων συνημερεύειν. δεῖ ἄρα τῷ εὐδαίμονι φίλων.

Euripides:

ἐγώ σ᾿ ἴσον θεοῖσιν ἡγοῦμαι φίλον·
ἐν τοῖς ἐμοῖς γὰρ οὐκ ἐνύβρισας κακοῖς.
μεγάλη δὲ θνητοῖς μοῖρα συμφορᾶς κακῆς
ἰατρὸν εὑρεῖν, ὡς ἐγὼ σὲ λαμβάνω.
δεῖ δή με κἀκέλευστον εἰς ὅσον σθένω
μόχθου ᾿πικουφίζουσαν, ὡς ῥᾷον φέρῃς,
συνεκκομίζειν σοι πόνους.

Larry Benn has a B.A. in English Literature from Harvard College, an M.Phil in English Literature from Oxford University, and a J.D. from Yale Law School. Making amends for a working life misspent in finance, he’s now a hobbyist in ancient languages and blogs at featsofgreek.blogspot.com.

Larry and Joel got to meet in person on Christmas Eve

Annual Top 10: Into The Fire out Of The Fire

December 30, 2021December 30, 2021 ~ Joel ~ Leave a comment

“No one is so old that he thinks he could not live another year”

nemo enim est tam senex qui se annum non putet posse vivere #Cicero

2021 has kept us busy: from another year of Reading Greek Tragedy Online, to the debut of Pasts Imperfect, to a new baby, minor medical incidents, and just making it through each day, there’s been a lot of busyness in the second year of our COVID. Somehow, we kept this page up and running. Shit, if COVID, an insurrection, and a pandemic baby won’t kill this page, only Zeus knows what will.

So, another year, another list. Here are the new posts that got the most attention in 2021. Notable is that this is the first year when a majority of the top posts are by guests.

Just a Girl: Being Briseis: an anonymous post on the challenges of teaching the Iliad when students (and instructor) have encountered sexual violence.
Save the Humanities with this One Simple Trick: A take-down of Eric Adler’s milquetoast and limited The Battle of the Classics.
Classics Beyond Whiteness: An Interview: Amy Lather and T. H. M. Gellar-Goad discuss a course at Wake Forest and Challenges in Classical Studies
Heroic Grief: Celebrating a New Book on the Iliad: A few reflections on Emily Austin’s new book on the Iliad: Grief and the Hero: The Futility of Longing in the Iliad
On the Linda Lindas, GenX and Classical Reception Studies: Arum Park’s fantastic discussion of identity, reception, and the Linda Lindas.
Hektor’s Body and the Burden: A reflection on physical trauma the rereading of Hektor’s actions in the Iliad
The Rest Can Go to Hell: Some Funerary Epigrams: A throw-back post!
There’s Only One City: Istanbul: one of Arie Amaya Akkermans’ fabulous, ranging essays
Add/Drop/Keep: A Classics Conversation: A conversation between Nandini Pandey and Ethan Ganesh Warren imagining the future of Classical Studies.
The Wave of All Waves: Another fantastic essay by Arie Amaya Akkermans

“The coming years bring us many comforts, and take many away as they pass.”

Multa ferunt anni uenientes commoda secum,
multa recedentes adimunt. #Horace

If you can’t get enough of me, I published some things

“At the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, ancient Greece and Rome can tell us a lot about the links between collective trauma and going to war.” The Conversation September 3, 2021

with Sarah E. Bond, “The Man Behind the Myth: Should We Question the Hero’s Journey?” LA Review of Books, August 12, 2021

“Not everyone cheered the ancient Olympic games, but the sacred games brought together rival societies.” The Conversation, July 28, 2021

“What Greek epics taught me about the special relationship between fathers and sons.” The Conversation, June 15, 2021

“How theater can help communities heal from the losses and trauma of the pandemic.” The Conversation, May 20, 2021

“What Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ can teach us about reentering the world after a year of isolation.” The Conversation, April 22, 2021

I spent too much time talking

On Podcasts

Movies We Dig!

A Bit Lit, April 2021

Ithaca Bound, On Achilles

Ithaca Bound, On Paris

Being Curious with Jonathan Van Ness (21 July 2021, with Sarah E. Bond)

Let’s Talk About Myths Baby with Liv Albert

On YouTube

Myth Salon, June 10, 2021 (or see this website)

Contra Campbell, December 13th, 2021 (Dan Schneider Interview 332)

On the Radio

WNHN’s The Attitude, May 6th, 2021

WORT’s The O’Clock Buzz, May 24th 2021

WNHN’s “The Attitude, May 27th 2021

WNHN’s “The Attitude, June 17th, 2021

WORT’s The 8 O’Clock Buzz, June 21, 2021

WNHN’s “The Attitude, July 12th, 2021

WORT “The 8 OClock Buzz, September 6th, 2021

WNHN’s “The Attitude”, September 8th, 2021

WNHN’s “The Attitude,” Nov 24, 2021

Some conventional things were published too, email or DM for a copy

“Beautiful Bodies, Beautiful Minds: Some Applications of Disability Studies to Homer.” Classical World 114.4

“Catharsis During Covid-19: Learning about Greek Tragedy Online.’ Teaching Classics in Pandemic Times (Didaskalika 7) edited by Wolfgang Polleichtner. 2021 Speyer: Kartoffeldruck. 34–48.

(With E.T.E. Barker) “Heracles in Epic.” The Oxford Handbook to Heracles, edited by Daniel Ogden.

“Odysseus’ ‘Right’: Failed Transition and Political Power in the Odyssey” SAGE Business Cases

The Strange Madness of a ‘National Divorce’

December 30, 2021 ~ sententiaeantiquae ~ Leave a comment

Cicero, Letters 16.12

From Tully to Tiro.

My safety is in doubt along with that of all honest people and the whole republic, a thing you can see from the way we have left our homes and the capitol city itself to theft and fire. We have come to a place we won’t survive unless some god or an accident preserves us.

From the moment I came to the city, I didn’t think, say, or do anything that didn’t aim towards peace. But a strange madness filled the air. It wasn’t just scoundrels who lusted for war, but it was those alleged decent men too even as I lamented that civil conflict is the most terrible affliction. Pushed on by some foolishness, Caesar, forgetful of his name and honors, captured Ariminium, Pisarum, Ancona and Arretium. Then we abandoned Rome–and there’s no profit now in arguing whether this was wise or brave.”

TULLIUS S. D. TIRONI SUO

Quo in discrimine versetur salus mea et bonorum omnium atque universae rei publicae ex eo scire potes quod domos nostras et patriam ipsam vel diripiendam vel inflammandam reliquimus. in eum locum res deducta est ut, nisi qui deus vel casus aliquis subvenerit, salvi esse nequeamus.

Equidem, ut veni ad urbem, non destiti omnia et sentire et dicere et facere quae ad concordiam pertinerent. sed mirus invaserat furor non solum improbis sed etiam iis qui boni habentur, ut pugnare cuperent, me clamante nihil esse bello civili miserius. itaque, cum Caesar amentia quadam raperetur et oblitus nominis atque honorum suorum Ariminum, Pisaurum, Anconam, Arretium occupavisset, urbem reliquimus, quam sapienter aut quam fortiter nihil attinet disputari.

Spiritual Exercise: Consider How Much You Suck

December 29, 2021 ~ Erik ~ Leave a comment

Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises (Week 1, Second Exercise)

“Third, I should consider who I am by diminishing myself with examples. First, how small I am in comparison with all people; second, what people are in comparison with all of the Angels and Saints of Paradise; third, to consider what are all created things in comparison with God: now, what could I alone amount to? In the fourth place, to consider all of my corruption and bodily hideousness; fifth, to consider that I am like an ulcer or an abscess, from which shoot forth so many sins, so much vileness, and such disgusting poison.”

ignatius

“Tertium, inspicere [considerare] quis sim ego, minuendo me ipsum per exempla: primo, quantus sim ego in comparatione omnium hominum: secundo quid sint homines in comparatione omnium Angelorum et Sanctorum Paradisi: tertio, inspicere [considerare] quid sint omnia creata, in comparatione Dei: jam ego solus quid esse possim? Quarto inspicere [considerare] omnem meam corruptionem et foeditatem corpoream: quinto, inspicere [considerare] me quasi ulcus quoddam et apostema, unde pullularunt tot peccata et tot nequitiae, ac venenum tam turpissimum.”

No Relief From Anxiety

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 ~ sententiaeantiquae ~ Leave a comment

Cicero, Letters 4.6 M. CICERO S.D. SER. SULPICIO

“The single solace I still had has been stolen from me. My thoughts were occupied with neither the business of my friends nor the the country’s bureaucracy. Nothing was drawing me to the courts; I couldn’t even look at the Senate.

I was imagining–the truth–that I had lost every benefit of my luck and hard work. Yet when I realized that I had this in common with you and some others, I settled myself down and resolved to endure it well. Even while I did this, I had a palace where I could retreat and rest, where I could escape all my worries and defeats in conversation and kindness.

But now those injuries I thought were healed are torturing me again thanks to this heavy hit. When I retreated from public life in the past, I found safety and comfort in my home. But I cannot flee from pain at home in public service, as if it offers any relief at all. So I make myself scarce from home and the Forum the same. Neither public nor private life can offer any relief to the pain and anxiety that plague me.”

unum manebat illud solacium quod ereptum est. non amicorum negotiis, non rei publicae procuratione impediebantur cogitationes meae, nihil in foro agere libebat, aspicere curiam non poteram, existimabam, id quod erat, omnis me et industriae meae fructus et fortunae perdidisse. sed cum cogitarem haec mihi tecum et cum quibusdam esse communia et cum frangerem iam ipse me cogeremque illa ferre toleranter, habebam quo confugerem, ubi conquiescerem, cuius in sermone et suavitate omnis curas doloresque deponerem.

Nunc autem hoc tam gravi vulnere etiam illa quae consanuisse videbantur recrudescunt. non enim, ut tum me a re publica maestum domus excipiebat quae levaret, sic nunc domo maerens ad rem publicam confugere possum ut in eius bonis acquiescam. itaque et domo absum et foro, quod nec eum dolorem quem e re publica capio domus iam consolari potest nec domesticum res publica.

The Fruitless Toil of Worry: Two Passages on Happiness

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 ~ sententiaeantiquae ~ Leave a comment

Horace, Odes 2.16 25-32

“The spirit which is happy for a single day
Has learned not to worry about what remains
And tempers bitter tastes with a gentle smile—
Nothing is blessed through and through.

A swift death stole famed Achilles away;
Drawn-out old age wore Tithonos down.
Perhaps some hour will hand to me
Whatever it has refused to you.”

laetus in praesens animus quod ultra est
oderit curare et amara lento
temperet risu; nihil est ab omni
parte beatum.

abstulit clarum cita mors Achillem,
longa Tithonum minuit senectus,
et mihi forsan, tibi quod negarit,
porriget hora.

Bacchylides, Processionals fr. 11-12

“There is one border, a single path to happiness for mortals—
When a person is able to keep a heart free of grief
Until the end of life. Whoever keeps ten thousand
Affairs in their thoughts
Whoever tortures their heart
Night and day over what may come,
Has toil which brings no profit.”

εἷς ὅρος, μία βροτοῖσίν ἐστιν εὐτυχίας ὁδός,
θυμὸν εἴ τις ἔχων ἀπενθῆ δύναται
διατελεῖν βίον· ὃς δὲ μυρία
μὲν ἀμφιπολεῖ φρενί,
τὸ δὲ παρ᾿ ἆμάρ τε <καὶ> νύκτα μελλόντων
χάριν αἰὲν ἰάπτεται
κέαρ, ἄκαρπον ἔχει πόνον.

Image result for medieval manuscript happiness — BLMedieval Sloane MS 278, 1280-1300

Quintilian’s Advice: Give it the Old College Try

December 28, 2021December 28, 2021 ~ Erik ~ Leave a comment

Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria 1.1:

It is a specious complaint that the power of understanding lessons is granted to only a few people while many waste their labor and their time through the slowness of their intellect. For you will find, much to the contrary, many people who are quick in thought and prompt to learn. Indeed, learning is natural to humans. Just as birds are born to fly, horses to run, and beasts to be savage, so is mental action and adroitness natural to us. It is for this reason that the origin of the mind is thought to lie in the heavens.

Dullness and an inability to be taught are no more aligned with human nature than colossal bodies and signs of monstrosity at birth, though these are comparatively few anyway. The proof is that hope of more shines forth in children. When it dies away over time, it is clear that it is due to a lack of care, not a fault of nature. ‘Some people are more talented than others.’ Sure, I grant that much. But that will achieve more or less: yet no one can be found who has accomplished nothing with effort.

Falsa enim est querela, paucissimis hominibus vim percipiendi quae tradantur esse concessam, plerosque vero laborem ac tempora tarditate ingenii perdere. Nam contra plures reperias et faciles in excogitando et ad discendum promptos. Quippe id est homini naturale, ac sicut aves ad volatum, equi ad cursum, ad saevitiam ferae gignuntur, ita nobis propria est mentis agitatio atque sollertia: unde origo animi caelestis creditur.

Hebetes vero et indociles non magis secundum naturam hominis eduntur quam prodigiosa corpora et monstris insignia, sed hi pauci admodum fuerunt. Argumentum, quod in pueris elucet spes plurimorum: quae cum emoritur aetate, manifestum est non naturam defecisse sed curam. “Praestat tamen ingenio alius alium.” Concedo; sed plus efficiet aut minus: nemo reperitur qui sit studio nihil consecutus.

Pindar Never Met 2020, or 2021

December 28, 2021December 27, 2021 ~ sententiaeantiquae ~ Leave a comment

Pindar, Nemean Ode 4.1-8

“The best doctor for sufferings when they’re done
Is celebration—and the Muses’ talented daughters,
Songs to distract when they touch us,
Not even warm water can make limbs as soft
As the praise that takes the lyre as its partner.

An utterance lives longer than deeds,
Any word the tongue chances upon
With the Graces, drawn from a deep mind.”

ἄριστος εὐφροσύνα πόνων κεκριμένων
ἰατρός: αἱ δὲ σοφαὶ
Μοισᾶν θύγατρες ἀοιδαὶ θέλξαν νιν ἁπτόμεναι.
οὐδὲ θερμὸν ὕδωρ τόσον γε μαλθακὰ τέγγει
5γυῖα, τόσσον εὐλογία φόρμιγγι συνάορος.
ῥῆμα δ᾽ ἑργμάτων χρονιώτερον βιοτεύει,
ὅ τι κε σὺν Χαρίτων τύχᾳ
γλῶσσα φρενὸς ἐξέλοι βαθείας.

92-93

“Different generations have different people—
But everyone hopes to claim
That the things they faced were exceptional.”

ἄλλοισι δ’ ἅλικες ἄλλοι· τὰ δ’ αὐτὸς ἀντιτύχῃ,
ἔλπεταί τις ἕκαστος ἐξοχώτατα φάσθαι.