Removing Hesiod From the Paywall
Theogony, Works and Days, and The Shield of Heracles
Good morning all.
I’ve been seriously neglecting the blog. Fortunately, two of the things that were taking my attention are now finished, so I can return my focus to Thucydides for the time being.
In the meantime, I have taken my posts on the three works of Hesiod out from the paywall. They will be linked below so you don’t have to go find them.
Hesiod, while not as popular as Homer, was instrumental in the formation of ancient Greek beliefs about the gods and heroes.
Have you heard about how this ancient Greek god was born from this other one, so on and so forth, until you go back to primordial gods like Gaea, Ouranos, and Chaos? That’s Hesiod.
The story of Pandora’s “Box” (it was actually a jar)? Hesiod.
The Titanomachy (the war between the gods and titans)? Hesiod.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. If you are a fan of Greek mythology, Hesiod is fundamental.
Have a good day!
Theogony
From Chaos to Order
“For though a man have sorrow and grief in his newly-troubled soul and live in dread because his heart is distressed, yet, when a singer, the servant of the Muses, chants the glorious deeds of men of old and the blessed gods who inhabit Olympus, at once he forgets his heaviness and remembers not his sorrows at all; but the gifts of the goddesses soon turn him away from these.”
Works and Days
Life is Toil
Work is no disgrace: it is idleness which is a disgrace. But if you work, the idle will soon envy you as you grow rich, for fame and renown attend on wealth. And whatever be your lot, work is best for you, if you turn your misguided mind away from other men’s property to your work and attend to your livelihood as I bid you.
Shield of Heracles
The Legacy of Homer
“And all the grove and altar of Pagasaean Apollo flamed because of the dread god [Ares] and because of his arms; for his eyes flashed as with fire. What mortal men would have dared to meet him face to face saved Heracles and glorious Iolaus? For great was their strength and unconquerable were the arms which grew from their shoulders on their strong limbs.”
May your days be filled with grace.
-Andronikos