Classical Greek Research Articles

A very short history of Greek

Abstract I have written this article primarily as an overview for students who are studying Greek at A level and beyond; it may also be useful for their teachers. It covers the period from the Archaic age up to the beginning of Medieval Greek (c. 750 BCE to 500 CE). There is an emphasis on Classical Greek both within and beyond the Classical period, since the Classical form, or approximations to it, has never ceased to be learned, the only form of Greek of which this can be said. It has also left a sizeable imprint on Modern Greek, especially but not exclusively on its more educated forms. I hope though that the article will serve to draw the users’ attention to the many other forms of the language apart from Classical Greek. I know that I could have done with something like this when I was a student: I was hardly aware of the existence of the κοινή, except perhaps as a form of Greek used by Christian writers long after the end of the Classical period.

Εντροπη: Shame and Identity Formation in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch

Since the 1980s, biblical scholars have started to employ the framework of “honor and shame” to study the culture of the ancient Mediterranean region. However, this application of the social–scientific honor–shame model has led to “massive generalizations of ‘honor’ and ‘shame’”. In particular, when focusing on the concept of honor/shame rather than its lexemes, the social–scientific school ignores the nuanced nature of each Greek word group related to shame. By studying classical Greek literature, Douglas Cairns further points out a puzzling situation that the word group αἰδώς contains polarized meanings of both “to shame” and “to respect”. In this paper, we examine the puzzling double meanings of “to shame/to respect” by focusing on the use of the word group ἐντροπή in the letters of Ignatius of Antioch. This paper argues that the word group ἐντροπὴ serves a rhetorical purpose of protecting the church’s identity by rejecting beliefs/customs that are unacceptable to Christianity and promoting unity in the churches through obedience to church authorities. This paper also explores the fundamental epistemological issue of understanding emotion words in its ancient context. It provides a provisional definition for ἐντροπή, that it is a self-inhibitory emotion of sensitivity to one’s proper place in social interaction to protect one’s self-image.

Natural law and unwritten law in Classical Greek thought

AbstractIt is a common mistake of contemporary natural law scholarship to overestimate the ancient Greeks' contribution to a meaningful theory of natural law and to mistake an appeal to unwritten law with natural law's criteria for normative validity. This paper was designed to elaborate on two interrelated queries. On the one hand, it labours to reconstruct the ancient Greeks' understanding of a hierarchy of law, which is answered in the affirmative. On the other hand, the paper inquires whether there existed any meaningful sense of natural law in the Classical period, to which question the Archytean nexus of law and natural justice is offered as a palpable compromise.

Increase of Complexity from Classical Greek to Latin Poetry

In this paper a method is developed to analyze the increase of complexity from classical Greek poetry to classical Latin poetry by mapping large samples of poems onto a symbolic time series. This mapping setup intends to characterize the regular succession of rhythms, that is, the patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables in a verse. Using techniques from information theory; more precisely, the mutual information function, it is shown how the rhythmical patterns in Greek poetry evolve to more complex behavior in Latin poetry. Some interesting results are reported.

Recusatio, Prolepsis, and Popular Sentiment in Tennyson's Juvenilia

Tennyson’s early poems in Poems, by Two Brothers is remarkable for its insistence on maturity, a feature that Laurie Langbauer calls prolepsis, evident in an advertisement for this volume, presumably a jointly written by Alfred and Charles, in which the two brothers boldly announce their entry into the profession of poetry: “But so it is: we have passed the Rubicon, and we leave the rest to fate; though its edict may create a fruitless regret that we ever emerged from ‘the shade,’ and courted notoriety” (Tennyson and Tennyson, Advertisement). With this language and their subsequent volume of poems, Charles and Alfred Tennyson participate in a common schoolboy tradition of writing poetry as if already imagining themselves fully fledged poets. Moreover, in announcing their crossing of the Rubicon and “submitting to the microscopic eye of periodical Criticism” (ibid.), they strategically decide to disavow their youthful influences by means of the classical rhetorical strategy of recusatio. Yet while both Tennyson brothers participate in the normative schoolboy tradition of writing poetry in imitation of classical Greek and Latin poets, Alfred’s imitation also extends into the vogue for sentimental literature, including the gothic, that was popularized in Tennyson’s boyhood in such novels as Ann Radcliffe’s Gothic romances and in gift books, poetry albums, and literary annuals like the Keepsake and the Forget-Me-Not. In so combining his schoolboy training in classical poetry with his reading of popular sentimental and Romantic literature, which were generally considered feminine and commercial, Tennyson forges a distinctive poetic voice and effectively launches himself into the vocation of poetry.

Algae, Fungi, Binomial Nomenclature and the Search for “Correct” Pronunciations

The spelling of Latin plurals in words like fungi, algae produces pronunciation variants and spirited arguments over correctness. Because the experts in specialty areas could be considered the arbiters of terminology standards, American and British biologists in several fields were surveyed to determine whether historical standard pronunciations of certain words have been maintained or lost. Results indicate that in some cases traditional pronunciations are still the standard in these discourse communities, while in others North America and the UK have diverged. In addition, newer spelling pronunciations have come into play on both sides of the Atlantic, even among these experts, with older forms threatened with extinction. Binomial nomenclature is also subject to variation as a longstanding debate over the use of anglicized or classical Latin and Greek challenges the need for any standard pronunciation at all.

Dionysus in the Dungeon

Since The Birth of Tragedy, Frederich Nietzsche’s theories have completely changed the landscape of theatre analysis. Even as tragedy as a genre has declined in popularity in recent years, his writings on tragedy remain relevant. The framework of The Birth of Tragedy has been used to reevaluate many different works, from the Greek classics to cartoons. I will explore how the Apollonian and Dionysian duality manifests in contemporary theatre, using David Ives’ Venus in Fur as an example of an effective use of this duality, while also examining the ways in which relying on it can stunt character development in the writing process.

The evaluation of urinary signs and symptoms in medieval medicine

Medieval medicine established the basis of western sanitary knowledge. In an early period, the medical model was monastic and based mainly on botany. In High Middle Age (1000–1300 AD) classical Greek, Roman and Arabic sources were rescued by manuscript copiers, compilers and translators, especially in the Medical School of Salerno and in Toledo. The Arab and Hebrew knowledge was fundamental for this information recovery, that promoted the creation of the first medical universities in Europe (Montpelier, Bologna, Paris, Oxford, Salamanca) that spread the medical knowledge in Late Middle Ages. A non-systematic review is undertaken to analyze how urinary signs and symptoms were evaluated in medieval medicine, with emphasis in uroscopy and in the description in medical treatises of urinary symptoms; including incontinence, dysuria and retention, and their remedies in the form of oils, syrups and electuaries to restore the humoral balance

HESS Opinions: The sword of Damocles of the impossible flood

Abstract. Extremely large floods that far exceed previously observed records are often considered virtually “impossible”, yet they are an ever-present threat similar to the sword suspended over the head of Damocles in the classical Greek anecdote. Neglecting such floods may lead to emergency situations where society is unprepared and to disastrous consequences. Four reasons why extremely large floods are often considered next to impossible are explored here, including physical (e.g. climate change), psychological, socio-economic and combined reasons. It is argued that the risk associated with an “impossible” flood may often be larger than expected and that a bottom-up approach should be adopted that starts from the people affected and explores possibilities of risk management, giving high priority to social in addition to economic risks. Suggestions are given for managing this risk of a flood considered impossible by addressing the diverse causes of the presumed impossibility.

What’s in a Name? Hellenic Origins of Microbiological Nomenclature

Our intention was to trace the origins of names that every microbiologist comes to pronounce or write down in her/his daily practice and, particularly, to elucidate the etymological debt of this medical field to the two great languages of classical antiquity, Greek and Latin. According to the system of binomial nomenclature established by Linnaeus in the 1750s to give a unique name to each species, consisting of two terms, the name of the genus and the name of the species, combinations were based on Greek and Latin. The two major cocci consist of a literally classical example. Streptococci, named so by Bilroth from the Greek word “στρεπτόν—strepton” (necklace), and staphylococci, baptised by Ogston from “staphyli—σταφύλι” (grape), were both so named due to their appearance under microscopy. Two well-known species of these genera bear Latin names denoting colour, greenish for S. viridans and golden for S. aureus. Other bacteria display the discovering scientist like, E. coli for Escherich, Brucella from Bruce, or Pasteurella from Louis Pasteur. Similar pathways also exist for viruses, even back to Hippocrates, like Herpesviruses from “έρπης—herpes” (creeping) or Arenaviruses from “arena—sand”, and fungi, as mycology itself originates from “μύκης—myces”, Greek for fungus, and Aspergillus from the verb “aspergo” (to sprinkle).

Pinpointing Linguistic Emphasis in Classical Greek

Abstract Emphasis is a ubiquitous notion in classical scholarship, but its vagueness has repeatedly been criticized (and its usefulness, consequently, questioned) by Greek linguists. This brief study seeks to identify (and secure) a place for this notion in the analytical toolbox for the description of Classical Greek by applying the strict but nuanced definition of emphasis in Functional Discourse Grammar (Hengeveld and Mackenzie 2008) to the identification and classification of linguistic devices in the ancient language. In particular, this study argues for a distinction between emphasis as a rhetorical effect and emphasis as a communicative intention. In the former understanding, emphasis may be produced secondarily by a number of linguistic and rhetorical devices. Conversely, linguistic emphasis stricto sensu would only be conveyed by linguistic devices used primarily to intensify linguistic entities of any level (discourse acts, propositional contents, subacts).

Гален как представитель греческой paideia эпохи Второй софистики

Thanks to the extensive corpus of Galen's writings, which includes numerous autobiographical works and individual notes, we possess a wealth of information regarding his upbringing and education. According to a fami-ly tradition, he received a classical Greek education (known as paideia), which allowed him to transition from a provincial intellectual to one of the influential figures in Roman society and achieve the status of a court physi-cian. His brilliant command of language, extensive erudition, and active participation in the intellectual life of the Roman elite justify considering Galen as one of the authors of the so-called "Second Sophistic." This article scrutinizes Galen's various accounts of his mentors, early education, and scholastic experiences, with their veracity corroborated by contemporaneous testimonials. In addition to reading and scrutinizing the classical texts that formed the cornerstone of Greek paideia, Galen's education placed great emphasis on the study of exact sciences such as Euclidean geometry and arithmetic, which, together with Aristotle's logic, enabled Galen to adhere to the evidence-based method in medicine. An analysis of Galen's citation fre-quency of classical authors revealed that his foundational education was similar to other authors of his time, whereas the citation of medical authors is unparalleled in ancient literature. Unfortunately, we can only form a vague notion of his library since much of it was lost in a fire during Galen's lifetime in 192 AD. However, his collection of texts is a mix of various knowledge, rare writings, and quotes. Galen's interest in language and words, which confirmed his status as an intellectual, suggests his association with the "Second Sophistic" group. He wrote several works on ancient grammar, word usage, and rhetoric, criticiz-ing both extreme linguistic purism and loose interpretations of old-fashioned Attic language. This paints Galen not just as a doctor but also as a knowledgeable figure of his time.

Shakespeare Tragedy, Comedy and Historical Play

This particular research paper sheds light on common recognizable characteristics of Shakespeare tragedy, comedy and historical play. Shakespeare, the dramatist of all time, brought tragedy and comedy developed by classic Greek dramatists: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes to a new level in the Elizabeth period. Within his theatre life which expands for 22 years, he produced ten tragedies, seventeen comedies and ten historic plays, which are staged with diverse modification all over the world, being translated to almost all the languages that are spoken in very nook and corner in the world. Shakespeare whom quoted next to the Bible is undoubtedly a social reality; his tragedy, comedy and historical plays have become the most timeless and placeless plays which touch the hearts of the audiences irrespective of social political and geographical differences. His tragedy showcases the downfall of the hero/heroine of high socio standing due to a tragic flaw, which finally causes the death of the protagonist either by being killed or committing suicide. His comedy is much more different from one another, although almost all of then end in poetic justice. His historical plays are based on the English history from 12th century to 16th century (from 1399 to 1485) and actual kings who ruled Great Britain in the particular period. However, Shakespeare added more dramatic effects into these historical plays constantly reminding the fact that he is not a historian yet a dramatist.

Racial Discourses in Aegean Prehistory c. 1900: The Case of the Cupbearer Fresco at Knossos

This article traces characterizations of the Cupbearer fresco, named after the large vessel the figure holds and uncovered at the site of Knossos in 1900, in light of the research agendas about the ‘races’ of the prehistoric Aegean and traditions of racial science current in late Victorian Britain. The head of the Cupbearer was compared to Classical Greek art, modern Cretan populations, and cranial remains from prehistoric contexts. Drawing from academic publications, articles in the press, and reports of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, the author situates the discourse surrounding the Cupbearer in the context of scholars seeking the origins of ‘European’ civilization in prehistory, and the creation of racial typologies, especially using cranial measurements and photography. The Cupbearer gained a dual status as a racial portrait comparable to past and present human populations, but also as a work of art that prefigured the later achievements of Classical Greece.

Art and Markets in the Greco-Roman World

We study art markets in the Greco-Roman world to explore the origins of artistic innovations in classical Greece and the mass production of imitative works in the Roman Empire. Economic factors may have played a role, on one side fostering product innovations when a few rival Greek city-states competed, outbidding each other to obtain higher-quality artworks, and on the other side fostering process innovations when a large integrated market promoted art trade across the Mediterranean Sea. The evidence on art prices is consistent with this. Literary evidence on classical Greek painting from V–III centuries BC (largely from Pliny the Elder) shows that the real price of masterpieces increased up to the peak of creativity reached with Apelles. Epigraphic evidence on Roman sculpture from I–III centuries AD (largely from inscriptions at the base of statues) shows that the real price of statues was stable and largely equalized across the imperial provinces.

The semantics and pragmatics of interrogative πότερον and πότερα in Classical Greek. A modest proposal

The semantics and pragmatics of interrogative πότερον and πότερα in Classical Greek. A modest proposal

In Search of Medea’s Atypical Motherhood in Euripides’ Medea: Cultural and Historical Perspective

This research aims to highlight the common traits of atypical motherhood portrayed in Euripides’ tragic play, “Medea” focusing on the character of Medea. The study explores the contrast between revenge and motherhood, showcasing how Medea challenges the traditional maternal roles which often emphasize nurturing and protective qualities. Medea challenges these norms and Conventional expectations through her complex and controversial actions by navigating the intricate interplay between love, revenge, and societal norms. The study employs a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating literary analysis, psychoanalytic perspectives, and cultural studies to unravel the layers of Medea’s action. Through a detailed analysis of Medea’s character, the paper examines subtle representations of motherhood, revealing the tensions between maternal instinct and the pursuit of individual agency. Additionally, the research investigates how cultural and historical context of ancient Greece influenced the construction of maternal roles in the play. By delving into the character of Medea, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding motherhood within the context of classical Greek literature. Furthermore, it invites reflection on the enduring relevance of these themes in contemporary discussions on gender, power, and societal expectations. Through this exploration, the paper aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of maternal roles in classical literature and stimulate discourse on the portrayal of atypical motherhood in ancient narratives.

The Women of Trachis Jealousy, Hatred and Revenge in Sophocles' Tragedy Intrafamilial Marriage and the Husbands' Widow's Wills the Famous Oracle

In this tragedy by Sophocles, the real theme is the treatment of "prey women" and their influence on the psychological family situation and society in classical Athens. "The Women of Trachis" as well as "Oedipus Rex" and "Oedipus on Colonus" show what an enormously perceptive, in today's terms, psychologist and sociologist Sophocles was. In the fifth century BC, many wars were waged in Greece and prisoners were turned into slaves. Classical Greece thrived on slavery, which also included so-called prey woman. In The Women of Trachis Sophocles describes the jealousy of a wife, with the resulting actions, when the marriage is overstretched and the jealousy is increased through corresponding insults (over the decades). How hatred and revenge then gain the upper hand, ultimately leading to death. The intra-family marriage policy in Athens, which often leads to emotional and social unhappiness, is also a clear theme in the "Women of Trachis", long before Sophocles' two Oedipus tragedies. In his tragedies, Sophocles dealt with sociological themes and human suffering. The poets changed the mythology according to the requirements of their desired intention of the tragedy. The transformation of the myth consists in its integration into the polis and its new reference systems. The fact that the tragic poet sets the problems of his time in a past contributes to the possibility of the tragedy's reception. In the tragedies Oedipus Rex and Oedipus at Colonus, for example, a reference to the social reality in Athens at the time is assumed. The tragedies that were performed at the Dionysia (festival) are characterized by an interpenetration of present and past. Tragedies were organized as competitions, so that the poets had to take the audience's sensitivities into account. Classical philologists are often prevented from producing realistic text analyses and interpretations by idealizing and glorifying Greek tragedies and thus not taking into account the social customs and laws of the time. If we think, that the Greeks had no interest in such a psychological process as how a decision comes about, we are seriously mistaken and we do not do justice to the great, psychologically astute tragedians. Without a sociological, psychological and medical approach, applied to the tragedies that contain such themes in Sophocles and also Euripides in excellent execution, we will not do justice to these brilliant poets. We are left with interpretations without a sociological and psychological understanding of Greek classicism.

Nurturing Students' English Communication Skills through the Translation of Ancient Greek Classics

Traditional Chinese teaching often relies on domestic materials for students' understanding of English-speaking countries, limiting exploration of Western concepts and hindering the recognition of English as a foreign language. Recognizing the influence of ancient Greek civilization on Western culture, this article advocates for improving English communication skills through the translation of ancient Greek classics. It emphasizes the importance of this approach in gaining a deeper understanding of Western expressions and highlights the practical value of such translations. Additionally, the article underscores the role of learning classic English translation appreciation in enhancing language proficiency, literary appreciation, cross-cultural communication, and cultural confidence. Lastly, it suggests that employing the teaching method of classic translation can effectively support students' vocabulary learning, memory, and understanding of special meanings in cross-cultural contexts, fostering natural experiences of cultural differences in language and text conversions and promoting cross-cultural awareness.

A Study of Elpis in Ancient Greek Literary Laments and Songs for the Dead: Hope and the Tradition of Greek Lament

Much of current scholarship aims at reconstructing ritual lamentation based on evidence from early Greek epic and lyric poetry and fifth-century tragedy. This paper, although it is an examination of a specific human emotion, elpis, within the corpus of early and classical Greek epic, lyric, and dramatic poetry that are thought to preserve the oral traditions of the genre, takes also into consideration the inscribed ancient Greek songs for the dead; that is archaic and classical epigrams and their later counterparts encountered, mainly, in the Greek Anthology. A study of elpis, a highly culturally dependent emotion, within these contexts will allow us to have a glimpse of the hermeneutic frames provided by each poetic genre, their performative contexts, and the expectation of the audiences, as well as of the general world-view that is shared by the poetic genres in question. In other words, a study of elpis in ancient Greek laments and songs for the dead will enable us to have a slightly clearer image of the evolution and the nature of this oral genre from archaic times until the Late Antiquity.