The Iliad XVI-XVII on Core Curriculum

Episode eight of Core Curriculum’s series on the Iliad has arrived! I’m honored to appear as a guest along with host David Grubbs and fellow guest Carla Godwin. In this episode we discuss the drama, action, and tragedy of books XVI and XVII of Homer’s epic.

A lot happens in this chunk of the story, from Achilles’s concession to Patroclus that he lead the Myrmidons out to battle disguised in Achilles’s armor, the awe inspiring slaughter wrought by Patroclus, Hector’s intervention and Patroclus’s, the fight over Patroclus’s armor and corpse, and an amazing amount of ancient trashtalk. It’s brutal and thrilling and tragic and represents Homer at the height of his art. We discuss all this—and more—in this episode.

I had a great time recording this conversation and hope you enjoy listening to it, too. You can listen in via iTunes, Stitcher, and other fine podcasting apps, or via the Stitcher player embedded in this post. You can read the shownotes, including which translations we’re consulting as we read and talk, here. Thanks for listening!