Author Topic: Nominations for our next Classics books discussion (Read 85729 times)

JoanK · « **Reply #160 on:** November 08, 2011, 03:33:16 PM »

For example, do we know enough about Greece to know which Greeks we would like to read about?

EvelynMC · « **Reply #161 on:** November 08, 2011, 03:50:11 PM »

JoandK and Pat H

Thanks to you both for leading this past discussion. I would never have read any of "Plutarch Lives" if it wasn't for this discussion. I learned a lot.

Evelyn

roshanarose · « **Reply #162 on:** November 15, 2011, 07:53:58 PM »

JoanK - Is my memory fading faster than I thought, but as I remember we had already picked out some Greeks to discuss from Plutarch.

JoanK · « **Reply #163 on:** November 20, 2011, 03:41:37 PM »

My memory is definately fading too. I'll check.

Now that we've read some Plutarch, we know that some of is essays are more readable than others. I'll start reading ahead to see which ones are good, so we don't get too bogged down.

Do you all agree that it is good to read about people who lived in about the same time, so we can get a picture of that time?

Babi · « **Reply #164 on:** November 21, 2011, 08:23:47 AM »

It does seem to help get what you learn more firmly implanted, doesn't it? My
mental 'retainer' seems to develop larger holes as time goes by.

kidsal · « **Reply #165 on:** January 11, 2012, 05:34:57 AM »

Have we given up on the Classics??

Babi · « **Reply #166 on:** January 11, 2012, 08:15:21 AM »

I think it's just been the 'time of year', KIDSAL. We enjoyed our last classic
so much, I'm sure we will be picking it up again. According to PatH's post of September 6, we should be starting with Pompey.
Let us know when, PAT.

JoanK · « **Reply #167 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:10:30 PM »

Are you all ready to start thinking about what to read next? We can read some of the Greeks in Plutarh, or do one of the other selections that didn't win last time. If we do more Plutarch, I think we should do what we did with the Romans and pick a time, and read about the characters in it. Who knows enough about the Greeks to help with that?

roshanarose · « **Reply #168 on:** January 13, 2012, 11:10:23 PM »

I will check out a Ancient Greek timeline and compare it to Plutarch's Greek Lives if you wish.

Babi · « **Reply #169 on:** January 14, 2012, 08:27:49 AM »

http://ehistory.osu.edu/ancient/index.cfm

Here's a link that might be helpful. You will note the Greek era is listed
510 to 148 BC, with the Classical period being 510 to 404 BC.

JoanK · « **Reply #170 on:** January 14, 2012, 08:45:40 PM »

That's helpful. thanks. More later.

roshanarose · « **Reply #171 on:** January 16, 2012, 10:17:01 AM »

Greek Lives for your consideration:

Alcibiades

Pericles

Themistocles

JoanK · « **Reply #172 on:** January 17, 2012, 03:14:02 PM »

Great! I'll check it out!

JoanK · « **Reply #173 on:** January 17, 2012, 10:59:18 PM »

We have things planned for February and March, so, we wouldn't start another Classics before April. But I'll start assembling a list to vote on in the next few days.

PatH · « **Reply #174 on:** January 23, 2012, 07:53:58 PM »

What to tackle next? We seem to be agreed to switch from Rome to Greece for now. We could do it one of two ways: we could continue with Plutarch, picking a cluster from the same time so we wouldn't have to learn too much different history too quickly. Or we could take a break from Plutarch for a while and read a play or two. The top vote-getters before before were:

Aeschylus: the Oresteia (5)

Euripides: Iphigenia in Taurus (romantic comedy) and Alcestis (tragicomedy) (5)

Sophocles: Antigone (4)

What does anyone think? Both paths have advantages, and doing one doesn't mean we can't do the other too.

Frybabe · « **Reply #175 on:** January 23, 2012, 08:04:34 PM »

I'd love to do some plays, but not until this summer. The only play I ever remember reading was Oedipus, I'd like to savor and study them, so I'd like to have my classes out of the way first.

Continuing with Plutarch is fine with me for now. I like Roshanarose's selections.

Babi · « **Reply #176 on:** January 24, 2012, 09:13:08 AM »

FRYBABE'S preference seems reasonable. The suggestons previously listed
were good, I thought. Has anyone a preference in those?

kidsal · « **Reply #177 on:** January 24, 2012, 06:53:57 PM »

Anything is OK with me. Would like to read the plays at sometime, but have no objection to Plutarch Greek Lives.

roshanarose · « **Reply #178 on:** January 24, 2012, 10:34:52 PM »

"Oedipus Rex" is a great play, so is "Antigone".

If the three men I have proposed are studied, may I suggest that we study them in chronological order:

1. Themistokles 524-459 BC. Populist from humble beginnings. Clawed his way to fame. Moving force at Salamis in routing the Persian fleet.

2. Pericles 493-429 BC. Aristocrat who, along with his family, would probably have been evacuated from Athens at the time of the Battle of Salamis. He would have been about 13. Politically active from c.461 BC.

3. Alcibiades died c.404 BC. The Greek Bad Boy. Makes interesting reading. Aristocratic, said to be descended from Ajax. Adopted by Pericles.

"In him nature seems to have tried what she could do; for it is agreed among all who have written concerning him, that no one was ever more remarkable than he, either for vices or virtues. Born in a most distinguished city, of a very high family, and by far the most handsome of all the men. of his age, he was qualified for any occupation, and abounded in practical intelligence. He was eminent as a commander by sea and land; he was eloquent, so as to produce the greatest effect by his speeches; for such indeed was the persuasiveness of his looks and language, that in oratory no one was a match for him. "
Quote from Lives of the Eminent Commanders. Cornelius Nepos.

Babi · « **Reply #179 on:** January 25, 2012, 08:42:40 AM »

Quote

the most handsome of all the men.

Roshana

Alas, that often proves to be a great misfortune, as it has ruined many a
man. Women, too.

JudeS · « **Reply #180 on:** January 29, 2012, 12:54:16 AM »

Oedipus Rex was part of my High School curriculum and it deeply inprinted itself on my mind.
I'd really like to read Antigone. Always wanted to but never got around to it.

Reading Plutarch was like reading History- a really good history writer. However in the plays we get both History and Literature. More than anything we get the zeitgeist of those times.

Babi · « **Reply #181 on:** January 29, 2012, 08:30:45 AM »

I don't believe I've read any of the ancient Greek plays. I'll be happy to try whatever the rest
of you decide on, if we go that route. They must be good, to have survived so long.

JoanK · « **Reply #182 on:** January 29, 2012, 06:19:20 PM »

We'll vote soon, with the idea of starting in April, after Dickens and "Destiny of the Republic".

Babi · « **Reply #183 on:** February 03, 2012, 08:19:55 AM »

Why not combine Sophocles "Antigone" with one or two of Euripides
comedies? Give us newcomers to Greek drama a taste of both.

JoanR · « **Reply #184 on:** February 03, 2012, 09:12:41 AM »

Great idea, Babi! Would love to re-visit Antigone - it's been eons since I read it and I remember it making a huge impression on me.
A Greek comedy would be fun - all I recall really is the frog chorus, "brek-e-kek-kek" and that's a peculiar thing to carry around in one's memory!!!

Babi · « **Reply #185 on:** February 04, 2012, 08:32:40 AM »

Ah, yes. I is sometimes mortifying the things that stick in your mind
when you would far rather they would go away. Who's the boss here?!
Obviously, it's not us.

JoanK · « **Reply #186 on:** February 04, 2012, 02:27:25 PM »

" Who's the boss here?!
Obviously, it's not us. "

Obviously, it's the frogs.

Babi · « **Reply #187 on:** February 05, 2012, 08:08:35 AM »

Nasty things!

roshanarose · « **Reply #188 on:** February 05, 2012, 09:48:11 AM »

JoanK - Wasn't that play called "The Frogs" by Aristophanes? I love his play "Lysistrata" - quite modern in so many ways.

JoanK · « **Reply #189 on:** February 10, 2012, 03:20:45 PM »

Let's start out making our choice of book for April. Let's start by deciding whether we want to go on with Plutarch, or read a play.

The choices will be:

A. Plutarch: the Greeks (Themostokles, Pericles, Alcibiades)

or

B. A Greek play, to be chosen (Sophocles, Aeschyles, or Euripides)

Please post either A or B.

Frybabe · « **Reply #190 on:** February 10, 2012, 04:32:18 PM »

A for April.

roshanarose · « **Reply #191 on:** February 10, 2012, 09:50:14 PM »

kidsal · « **Reply #192 on:** February 11, 2012, 03:54:24 AM »

JoanR · « **Reply #193 on:** February 11, 2012, 07:08:08 AM »

Babi · « **Reply #194 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:02:42 AM »

B I think I'd enjoy some plays.

JoanK · « **Reply #195 on:** February 11, 2012, 09:03:01 PM »

Great. keep the votes coming!

JudeS · « **Reply #196 on:** February 13, 2012, 07:48:57 PM »

Can I have a B please?

straudetwo · « **Reply #197 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:06:34 PM »

A B, please.

O have fallen seriously behind but look forward to becomig more aaciveagain.
Traude

JoanK · « **Reply #198 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:32:53 PM »

It's neck and neck! Any more voters?

Babi · « **Reply #199 on:** February 16, 2012, 09:08:54 AM »

We may have to solemnly promise to do both, asap. But for right now...what are you more in
the mood for, for Spring?

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Author Topic: Nominations for our next Classics books discussion (Read 85729 times)