Read with me the great works of Literature of the ancient past.

I want to know these stories better, so I compile these links for us to review.

The Odyssey, by Homer (PDF)

"Muse, speak to me now of that resourceful man who wandered far and wide after ravaging the sacred citadel of Troy. 1 He came to see many people’s cities, where he learned their customs, while on the sea his spirit suffered many torments, as he fought to save his life and lead his comrades home. But though he wanted to, he could not rescue them— they all died from their own stupidity, the fools. They feasted on the cattle of Hyperion, god of the sun—and so he snatched away their chance 10 of getting home someday.2 So now, daughter of Zeus, tell us his story, starting anywhere you wish."

The Aeneid, by Virgil (Guten)

"The Trojans, after a seven years’ voyage, set sail for Italy, but are overtaken by a dreadful storm, which Aeolus raises at the request of Juno. The tempest sinks one, and scatters the rest. Neptune drives off the winds, and calms the sea. Aeneas, with his own ship and six more, arrives safe at an African port. Venus complains to Jupiter of her son’s misfortunes. Jupiter comforts her, and sends Mercury to procure him a kind reception among the Carthaginians. Aeneas, going out to discover the country, meets his mother in the shape of a huntress, who conveys him in a cloud to Carthage, where he sees his friends whom he thought lost, and receives a kind entertainment from the queen. Dido, by device of Venus, begins to have a passion for him, and, after some discourse with him, desires the history of his adventures since the siege of Troy, which is the subject of the two following books."

The Divine Comedy, by Dante (PDF)

"Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straight-forward pathway had been lost.
Ah me! how hard a thing it is to say
What was this forest savage, rough, and stern,
Which in the very thought renews the fear.
So bitter is it, death is little more;
But of the good to treat, which there I found,
Speak will I of the other things I saw there."

Choose one, to begin, and upon completion of each chapter please, write a comment here to reflect upon its words and any insights you may glean from your perspective. Retell the story contained if you can put it in your own words. Ask questions, seek further understanding, and discuss together with me what these stories tell us of the long past -yet true -history of our world. What wisdom did each author seek to convey in each chapter, and how can you articulate it yourself now and here?

Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays

I plan to read and make notes on
The Odyssey on February 17th and 19th.
The Aeneid on February 24th and 26th.
B March we can look at The Divine Comedy
on March 3rd and 5th 2026.

@Darkflame