Dear Classical Wisdom Reader,

Thank you to everyone who joined us live for our conversation with Emily Wilson. It was truly a pleasure!

We ranged widely, as one does when “Homer” is in the room. Emily guided us through the mysteries of Homer’s identity, the power and complexity of the oral tradition, and the delicate (sometimes maddening) task of translating ancient poetry for modern readers.

Along the way, she illuminated the extraordinary narrative sophistication and emotional depth of the epics, including rage, grief, love, loss, and the tangled web of human communities that feel as relevant now as they did three millennia ago.

We explored how landscape shapes story, how gods meddle (enthusiastically) in human affairs, and why Homeric color terms can give even the best translators pause. Audience questions took us into the brutality of myth, the fraught dynamics of parents and children, and the way physical places can influence how a text is understood and translated.

The highlight was most certainly Emily’s recitation from the Iliad, first in ancient Greek and then in English! I can honestly say we were all transported straight into Homer’s world.

Conversations like this remind us why these poems endure. Not because they are ancient, but because they refuse to stop asking difficult, deeply human questions.

Thank you again to everyone who joined us, and for giving your time and attention to such a thoughtful exchange. I’m grateful to share this community with you.

And thank you, always, for being part of our beautiful fellowship devoted to the love of history, mythology, literature, and philosophy. It really is a pleasure!

Warmly,

Anya Leonard

Founder and DirectorClassical Wisdom

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