The Odyssey vs. The Aeneid

Two books that are similar to each other are the Odyssey, by Homer, and The Aeneid, by Virgil. They both tell the tale of a young man traveling home after the fall of Troy after the end of the Trojan War. But these books are also different in the way of the characters and some of the events that took place.

The Odyssey epic tale of the journey of Odysseus told in 24 books. Odysseus fights in the Trojan war and is forced to wander for ten years. His wife is Penelope who lives in Ithaca. Odysseus is running from Poseidon because he had injured his son Polyphemus, a cyclops. Most of his near death escapes are because his Patron goddess Athena is looking out for him.

Virgil's Aeneid is devoted to the tale of the seven years that Aeneas spent wandering escaping the fall of Troy. Virgil spent the last ten years of his life writing the Aeneid. The Aeneid is a twelve book mythological epic. Some of Virgil's influence came from Odyssey by Homer.

The Aeneid and the Odyssey are very similar books in many ways. For instance, both of the books are the tales of a man wandering after the Trojan War. Both of the books are told in the form of epic poems. They are different because one is told of Odysseus, and the other is told of Aeneas.

So the Odyssey and the Aeneid are different in many ways, but they are also very different. They pretty much have the same plots, same setting, and same form of literature. They are mainly only different by their characters.


Homer, The Odyssey. New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14

Virgil, The Aeneid New York: P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14.

Foundational Myths of Rome

There are two main myths that tell of the foundations of Rome. One of the Myths is that it was founded by the twin brothers, Romulus and Remus. The other main foundational myth of Rome is that it was founded by Aeneas and his followers after the fall of Troy.

In the Myth of Romulus and Remus, Romulus is the one said to have discovered Rome. Romulus is the twin brother of Remus. Romulus and Remus are said to be the sons of Mars, god of war, and Rhea Silvia, one of the vestal virgins. Rhea Silvia was said to be the daughter of the king of Alba Longa. The brothers were thrown in the river because they might have been a threat to the thrown. They were rescued by a she-wolf and was nursed by it. The brothers built a city when they grew up. Romulus built a wall to divide his city, and Remus jumped the wall. It is said that Remus was killed by Romulus or one of his friends for trespassing.

The two boys were said to have been discovered by Faustulus, who was a shepherd, who raised the children in his home. There were not enough women for Romulus and Remus, so Romulus stole a woman from an Italian tribe. When Romulus and Remus built Rome, the first citizens of Rome were fugitives and outlaws. Rome's location began at the place where the she-wolf nursed them, Palatine Hill.

Another foundational myth of Rome was the Aeneas was the founder of Ancient Rome. Aeneas was born in Troy, and died in Italy. It is said that Aeneas and the defeated army of Troy sailed across the Mediterranean Sea until they reached the Latin Coast. It is said that they founded Troy their and it was ruled by Amulius for many years.

So those are the two foundational myths of Troy. Though the story of Romulus and Remus is a more detailed account of the founding of Rome, It is more likely that Rome was founded by Aeneas after the Trojan defeat in the Trojan War.

Epicureanism

Epicurus was born in 341 B.C. and was the founder of Epicureanism. He was an Athenian born on the island of Samos.

Epicurus was privately tutored by his father until he was eighteen when he joined the Athenian military. In 311 B.C. he taught at a school in Lesvos, and later became the head of the school. In 306 B.C. he returned to Athens for life and began teaching. His life took place after the death of Alexander the Great. When Epicurus was about seventy-two, he suffered from kidney stones.

Epicurus' philosophies would combine a physics based on an atomistic materialism and a rational hedonistic ethics. Epicurus had an optomistic worldview. His philosophies taught us that we can find hapiness in every situation. Epicurus gave practical insights for human psychology. It says that there is a purpose for intellect developement in western civilization. (source)

A benefit to having an epicureanistic worldview is you see things optomistically, meaning that you see the good in things. I think that a weakness in having an Epicureanistic worldview is the fact that you have a lot of questions, but no answers. God can answer all our questions, but if it is a question of the divinity of God then they would not view him as a valid source, so they wouldn't no the answer.

If God listened to the prayers of men, all men would quickly have perished: for they are forever praying for evil against one another. (Epicurus)

Epicurus promoted optimisticism, in which he saw the good in the bad. He made a strong basis for even some modern philosophy. But even the benefits of Epicureanism, there were pleanty of weaknesses.

O'Brien, Patrick K., gen. ed. "Epicurus." Encyclopedia of World History. Copyright George Philip Limited. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2000.

Boucquey, Thierry, gen. ed. "Epicurus." Encyclopedia of World Writers, Beginnings through the 13th Century. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Plato

Plato was a Greek philosopher who was one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He lived from about 428 to 347 B.C. He was an aristocrat born in Athens.

Plato's father was Ariston who was believed to be the descendant of one of the early kings of Athens and his mother was Perictione who claimed to be a relative of Solon, one of the early lawmakers. He came from a wealthy, aristocratic, and influential family. When Plato was young, his father died and his mother was remarried to Pyrilampes, an associate of Pericles.

Plato entire childhood took place during the Peloponnesian War which he may have been a Calvary man for some time during it. Plato had about 30 written works all in the rare form of Prose dialog. He traveled to Italy where he met followers of Pythagoras, which seem to have affected his views on death. He also traveled to Sicily where he impacted one of the kinsman of Dionysus, the emperor.

Plato joined the dynamic circle of Socrates and eventually became his greatest pupil. The only reason we know so much about Socrates is because Plato wrote dialogs about Socrates and others discussing philosophical ideas. Plato's greatest student was Aristotle. One of Plato's greatest writings was "The Republic" and it was one of the single most influential writings in western philosophy. "The Republic" asks two questions. The questions asked are What is the states justice, and what is a just man? "The Republic" discusses how to have a good life.

In 387, Plato founded an academy in a suburb outside of Athens, which consisted of a gymnasium and a park. This school of philosophy was sacred to the ancient ruler Akademos. The primary goal of the academy was to train the future leaders of Athens and other city-states. We can see how the lessons were taught by some of Plato's written dialogs. One of the most prevailing students at the academy was Aristotle who was at the academy in an early age, in a time where there were no fees at the academy. The teachings gradually became more mathematical and abstract until Arcesilaus brought the academy back to philosophical Skepticism. The academy lasted over 900 years and eventually brought in students from Rome and Byzantine. Even after the death of Plato, the school kept going until The emperor of Byzantine, Justinian, closed it.

Plato died in 347 B.C. After the death of Plato, not Aristotle, but Plato's nephew Speusippus took over the academy. Even after he died, his academy went on for centuries.

Sacks, David. "The Academy." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Sacks, David. "Plato." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2005.

Socrates

Socrates was a Greek philosopher who profoundly effected western philosophy. He lived from 469 to 399 B.C.E. He was the teacher of Plato, who taught Aristotle.

Socrates was born in Athens, Greece to Sophroniscus, a sculptor, and Phaenarete. He had regular education in elementary literature, music, and gymnastics, and eventually became a potter, following the craft of his father. Socrates was tutored by Archelaus. For awhile, he was interested in science, influenced by the works of Anaxagoras, but eventually gave that up to study of the development of moral character. After awhile, he decided to become a stonemason and raise his children with his wife, Xanthippe. Finally, Socrates decided to practice philosophical dialog. (source)

Socrates was not one to simply ask one question, he would ask many questions. In Plato's Meno, which is a dialog between Socrates and Meno, there is a whole discussion on whether virtue can be taught. He asks a lot of questions and finally decides that virtue is a gift given by the gods, not distributed to everyone, so virtue is not something that can be taught. On the other hand, Plato thinks that virtue is a type of knowledge, therefore can be taught. Socrates said some very famous things.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.

As portrayed in Meno, he couldn't accept yes or no for an answer. Even the fictional character of Meno was confused by some of the brilliant thinkings of Socrates.

Socrates made no writings in his lifetime, so all his teachings we have to get through the writings of his students. Some of his most prevailing students were Plato, who tutored Aristotle, and Xenophon. The only problem is that Plato was someone who would mix his own ideas into the teachings of Socrates, so we can't be sure of his exact teachings, but we do have an accurate idea of his methods. Socrates very much believed in the pursuit of truth. (source) One of Socrates conclusions was that happiness depends solely on living a moral life. Socrates was even compared to Jesus for his arguments in the area of religion.

Socrates tried to stay away from politics, but was tried for ignoring the gods, and bringing in new divine beings. He was sentenced to death by drinking Hemlock, the standard death sentence in Athens. He was sentenced to drink it in the evening, but drank it on his own earlier that day. Socrates died in 399 BC leaving behind a great legacy.

Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Ancient and Medieval History Online.

Sheldon, Garrett Ward. "Socrates, political thought of." Encyclopedia of Political Thought. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2001. Ancient and Medieval History Online.

Plato's Meno

Plato's Meno was written in 380 B.C. and is a discussion between Socrates, and a character named Meno. It is a very long discussion about virtues: The definition, and whether or not they can be taught. The character of Socrates has so much thoughts and asks a lot of questions, which is comon in philosophy.

Socrates was a Greek philosopher who lived from 469 to 399 BC. He was born in Athens and affected western philosophy greatly through his teachings to Plato. Socrates was the son of Sophroniscus, who was a sculptor, and Phaenarete, who was considered a midwife, and he had elementary teaching in literature, music, and gymnastics. He took on his father's profession as a sculptor and created the statue of 3 Graces that stood at the entrance of the Acropolis until the 2nd century. He also was a soldier serving in the Peloponnesian War as an infantry man. The Socrates portrayed in Plato's Meno is trying to decide whether virtue is something that can be taught.Socrates was a man who believed that arguments were more meaningful than any writing. He obeyed the law, but tried to stay away from politics, but in 399 BC, he was charged with neglecting the gods and bringing in new divinities. His friends offered to help him escape, but he refused because he wanted to die with dignity. He spent his last day on earth with family and friends, and in the evening, he willingly drank a glass of hemlock and died. (source)

Plato was a Greek philosopher and one of the greatest thinkers in western philosophy. He was born in Athens in about 428 BC and died around 347 BC. He was born to Ariston( who was believed to be a descendant from one of the early kings of Athens) and Perictione, an Aristocratic family. When he was a young man, his father died and he became a disciple of Socrates. In 399 BC he witnessed the death of Socrates and in fear of his own life, fled to Sicittending the academy was Aristotle. In 367 BC, he went to Sicily to tutor Dionysiusly, Italy, and Egypt. After returning to Athens, in 387 he created the Academy in Athens, which was the first university in Europe. The Academy offered such subjects as astronomy, biology, mathematics, political theory, and philosophy. One of the best students a, who was the new ruler of Syracuse, in philosophical rule. He had no success, but returned to Sicily in 361, this time having little success. Socrates died at around 80 years old and had spent the last years of his life teaching at the Academy and writings. Most of his writings were in dialogues of philosophical ideas. His earliest works were 35 dialogues and 13 letters. One of his greatest works was called Meno. Many of Plato's works were long discussions on topics like virtues, wisdom, courage, and moderation, and many of them were acurate discussions of Socrates.(source)

Plato 's Meno is a long story that is a discussion between Socrates and a character named Meno. In the discussion, Socrates is asking about virtue and if it is something that can be taught. For a long time, they are first trying to define what virtue really is. One of Meno's suggestions is that virtue is the desire of good things, which Socrates says that all man desires good in some way, and the power to secure those things. After a while in the discussion, even Meno is confused by the teachings of Socrates. Meno wants to go back to the original question of whether or not virtue can be taught, and Socrates has two ideas. One is that virtue is a type of knowledge, so it is teachable, and his other is that if there is any good that is not knowledge, then virtue ifs not knowledge, therefore, can not be taught. Meno decides for himself that virtue can be taught, but Socrates till is wondering. In the end, Socrates decides that virtue can not be taught, nor can you be born with it. He thinks that virtue is just a gift from the gods only given to certain people.

Meno is a great work that teaches us a lot and gives us different perspectives. We see that there are more answers than just yes and no, or right or wrong. Even socrates and Meno end up having difference in opinions.

Meno. Plato. 380 B.C.E.


Sacks, David. "Socrates." Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. Revised by Lisa R. Brody. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005.

Greek Architecture

Ancient Greek Architecture was extinct around 1200 BC near the end of the Mycenaean period. We don't have much left of the most early buildings because they were made from wood, mud-bricks, or clay, but we do have remains of limestone columns, which were common in Greek architecture. The Greeks used bronze for detailed decorative things. They had 5 different types of buildings which were religious, civic, domestic, funerary, or recreational. They also had 3 different types of architecture which were Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian.

The three styles, Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian, were styles of columns that were used in temples, which is not surprising because religion was dominant in Greek society. The Ionic style was thinner and more elegant, with a scroll-like top to it. The Ionic style was found in eastern Greece and the Greek Island s and was used in many famous temples. This style was used in the Erechtheum, the temple of Apollo, and the temple of Athena. The Doric style is more sturdy than the others and is decorated with a plain top. This style is found in the mainland of Greece, southern Italy, and Sicily, and was used in the making of the Parthenon. The Corinthian style is seldom used. It has a very elaborate top and is found in many temples in Rome.

The Parthenon is an Ancient Greek temple. It was built from 447 to 442 BC dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Parthenon was one of the earliest and simplest of the Greek Architecture and was built on the Acropolis in Athens. The Parthenon was built by Greek architects Actinus and Callicrates. The Parthenon was a designed as a large, marble, rectangular table that had 17 columns on the length and 8 columns on the width. The Parthenon measures at about 102 x 230 feet. The east end of the Parthenon was a representation of the birth of the goddess Athena and how she sprang out of Zeus' head fully grown. The west end of the Parthenon was designed to represent the contest between Athena and Poseidon to see who the Patron of Athens would be. The victor of that contest was said to be Athena because her gift of the olive branch proved to be more useful then Poseidon's gift of the horse. The outer columns have representations of battles. In the center chamber of the Parthenon, there was a statue of Athena made from ivory and gold. At the base of the statue, there is an image representing the birth of Pandora, who was said to be the first person on earth. Though the statue is no longer there, we have heard of it through writings of the Greek poet Pausanias. Another temple to the goddess Athena was the Tegea which was burnt down in 390 BC, but was rebuilt and is one of the greatest temples around today.

The Erectheion is located in Athens, Greece and was built from 425 to 421 BC. The Erectheion was famous for its ionic style and because it had caryatid columns in the shape of women. The temple is a sanctuary to the god Poseidon and the goddess Athena and is said to be the place where Athena's olive tree sprung and where Poseidon left his trident marks in the stone. The Erectheion was named after the mythical Greek king Erectheus and was built by Greek Architect Mnesicles. The building was a rectangular cellar that was divided into three rooms. The south end of it is the Porch of the Caryatids where the Maiden Statues once were. The Erectheion was built on a hilltop where there is a Mediterranean climate. This temple is stone cut and is put on one of the most sacred parts of the Acropolis.

The Greeks made great advances in architecture and came up with ideas that are still utilized today. The White house has Ionic style columns around it as well as the Capital buildings and many other historical buildings in Washington D.C. The Greek architectural designs have helped America a lot.

Prag, A. Facts on File Encyclopedia of Art, vol. 1. New York: Facts On File, Inc. 2005.

Sacks, David. Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc. 2005.