1. Today: Early Greek Poetry
1/15/08 BR- 1.Think of a nursery rhyme from when you were little. Can you recite the whole thing? 2. How might being blind help a person remember long stories?
Today: Early Greek Poetry
D’oh! I’m not that Homer

2. Greek Poetry
Was linked to music and sung in order to help people remember LONG epic poems such as the Odyssey.
Poets were like celebrity figures, (?)often blind, and touched with magic from the gods
Memorization was important since most people were illiterate.
Poets were considered sacred since their “power” came from the 9 muses.

3. Look at some examples from the chapter.
-p.47 – Theogony
p.48 Archilochus
p. 49 Sappho (female!)
P49. Simonides, Epitaph for Spartan Soldiers - Who’s he talking about?
Greeks had special poems for special occasions.
An epitaph is a short statement that commemorates a dead person

4. Do we have special poems for special occasions, to tell stories, or to remember people, events or feelings?
Assignment (Due Friday)
Write your own epitaph in the style of a Greek poet. It should be no more than 4 sentences
Final will be on Wednesday of next Week
All late work MUST be handed in by Tuesday, January