Marco Fantuzzi

I was expecting this a super tough read, and it was. This is a big text book which once I would have never dared to read but that first attempt at Homer’s Iliad changed a lot of things of how I would come to see books and think of myself as a reader.

This is a collaboration of 32 essays by 32 scholars including: M L West (who was referred to quite a bit by the others), Gregory Nagy and David Konstan. They all focused on the subtitle ‘its Ancient Reception’.

I found part 1, which focused show more more on the Trojan Cycle, the easiest and almost kept up with it. Part 2 and 3 were tougher.

Part 2 went through each part of the Epic Cycle we know of, starting from with the beginnings, Theogony, moves on towards the Theban Cycle (incl the story of Oedipus, his sons and grandsons), then the Trojan Cycle and towards the final part, Telegony.

Part 3 looked at the tragedians, and other Cycles incl Pindar, Virgil and Ovid.

I didn’t grasp all of this but what I did I found this really interesting, and it was fantastic to finally read something that explains the different versions. I’m thinking if I keep reading and come back to this down the line then I will be able to grasp more than I have this time. show less