Just an observation and a smile

Are you reading Homeric Greek? Whether you are a total beginner or an advanced Homerist, here you can meet kindred spirits. Besides Homer, use this board for all things early Greek poetry.
Post Reply
Rhoover60
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:54 am

Just an observation and a smile

Post by Rhoover60 »

As I was working through the early lines of The Illiad, I came to these lines:

ἢ εἰ δή ποτέ τοι κατὰ πίονα μηρί' ἔκηα
ταύρων ἠδ' αἰγῶν, τόδέ μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·

I had to smile as I had to interrupt my work in order to turn the chicken thighs on the grill.

Hylander
Textkit Zealot
Posts: 2504
Joined: Mon Aug 17, 2015 1:16 pm

Re: Just an observation and a smile

Post by Hylander »

Homeric heroes would never eat chicken (or fish, unless there was nothing else to eat). Red meat only! For the most part they didn't live long enough for heart disease to catch up with them.
Bill Walderman

Rhoover60
Textkit Neophyte
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2016 12:54 am

Re: Just an observation and a smile

Post by Rhoover60 »

I realized the difference at the time it happened. However, I did not call Apollo's attention to it!

User avatar
Paul Derouda
Global Moderator
Posts: 2292
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2010 9:39 pm

Re: Just an observation and a smile

Post by Paul Derouda »

Menelaus is stranded on a desert island with his men, when she encounters a goddess. The men are already desperate with hunger to the point that they go fishing!

ἥ μ’ οἴῳ ἔρροντι συνήντετο νόσφιν ἑταίρων·
αἰεὶ γὰρ περὶ νῆσον ἀλώμενοι ἰχθυάασκον
γναμπτοῖσ’ ἀγκίστροισιν, ἔτειρε δὲ γαστέρα λιμός.
(4.363 ff.)

Post Reply