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From the introduction: “Scepticism has attained its culminating point with respect to Homer, and the state of our Homeric knowledge may be described as a free p
by dr_dshiv 6y ago
From the introduction:
“Scepticism has attained its culminating point with respect to Homer, and the state of our Homeric knowledge may be described as a free permission to believe any theory, provided we throw overboard all written tradition, concerning the author or authors of the Iliad and Odyssey. What few authorities exist on the subject, are summarily dismissed, although the arguments appear to run in a circle. “This cannot be true, because it is not true; and that is not true, because it cannot be true.” Such seems to be the style, in which testimony upon testimony, statement upon statement, is consigned to denial and oblivion."
- madhadron 6y agoNote that was written in the 19th century and does not reflect anything like the current state of affairs.
- dr_dshiv 6y agoSo, Homer was written down in 6th century Athens?
- goodlifeodyssey 6y agoThe introduction to the Robert Fagles' translation of the Iliad has a fascinating, and more up-to-date, essay about the authorship of the Iliad and the Odyssey---the so called "Homeric Question." More evidence, from archeological digs and from the text itself, has come to light and I think there is less skepticism these days in general.