Why Homer matters
by Adam Nicolson · first published 2014
4mentions
2recommended by
2HN commenters
2018–2022first – last mentioned
100% recommend
"In this passionate, deeply personal book, Adam Nicolson explains why Homer matters--to him, to you, to the world--in a text full of twists, turns and surprises. In a spectacular journey through mythical and modern landscapes, Adam Nicholson explores the places forever haunted by their Homeric heroes. From Sicily, awash with wildflowers shadowed by Italy's largest oil refinery, to Ithaca, southern Spain, and the mountains on the edges of Andalusia and Extremadura, to the deserted, irradiated steppes of Chernobyl, where Homeric warriors still lie under the tumuli, unexcavated. This is a world o
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If anyone is interested in this idea, Adam Nicolson spends a few entertaining pages covering the story of Goliath in his book Why Homer Matters. He makes an argument that the Goliath story is basically a satirical take on the battle scenes in the Iliad.
on “Ancient DNA may reveal origin of the Philistines” ↗Can I also recommend Adam Nicolson's "The Might Dead: Why Homer Matters", as an excellent read, which explains how and why Homer is still relevant today.
on “The extraordinary influence of the Iliad and Odyssey” ↗If you want to understand where Homer comes from, the bardic traditions,and his cultural importance, I can highly recommend Adam Nicolson's "The Mighty Dead: Why Homer Matters". It is both really insightful and a cracking read.
on “Not the 'Beowulf' You Think You Know” ↗I would also recommend any ancient history written by Tom Holland - "Persian Fire" about the Persian invasion of Greece is a good introduction to the era. Also, Adam Nicholson's "The Might Dead: Why Homer Matters" is a brilliant read, linking such disparate topics as Albanian and Scottish bardic traditions, and LA gang culture.
on “Books on Ancient Greece Recommended by Christopher Pelling” ↗