Meta Description: Dive into Homer’s Iliad with Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle on the Ad Navseam Podcast. Discover why concepts like hubris and xenia differ from modern values, the meaning of in medias res, and how the study of Greek classics enriches the pursuit of the Latin language.
Introduction: Escaping the Insularity of the Present
Welcome back to the “vomitorium” of classical thought! In the second episode of the Ad Navseam Podcast, hosts Dr. David Noe and Dr. Jeff Winkle invite us to feast on the first great work of Western literature: Homer’s Iliad.
For students of the Latin language and Greco-Roman civilization, Homer is the bedrock. The Romans themselves were obsessed with him—Virgil’s Aeneid, the pinnacle of Latin poetry, is essentially a fan-fiction remix of the Iliad and the Odyssey. To understand Latin literature, one must understand its Greek predecessor.
The episode opens with a profound quote from the British scholar Sir Hugh Lloyd-Jones. He argues that studying the past protects us from “insularity in time,” a condition where we feel superior to past ages simply because our technology is better. As we dive into the bronze-clad world of Achilles and Agamemnon, we are challenged to set aside our modern prejudices and engage with ethical and political beliefs that are radically different from our own.
The First Word in Western Literature: Menin (Rage)
If you are learning Latin, you are likely familiar with the concept of the incipit—the opening words that set the tone for a text. The Iliad begins with a single, thunderous noun: Menin.
Dr. Noe explains that this word is often translated as “wrath,” “rage,” or “anger.” It is significant that the very first word in the Western canon is an emotion of destructive power. Homer sings of the “destructive anger” (oulo menen) of Achilles that sent many souls down to Hades and left bodies exposed on the battlefield.
This opening immediately plunges us ** in medias res**—a Latin phrase coined by the Roman poet Horace meaning “into the middle of things.” Unlike a history textbook that might start with the birth of the hero, epic poetry drops the reader right into the crisis.
Honor, Adultery, and the “Bride Stealing” Motif
A common criticism from modern readers—or “business associates” of the hosts—is that the Iliad is “all trash” because the central plot seems to be merely about adultery. How can the greatest epic in history be a squabble over a girlfriend?
Dr. Winkle and Dr. Noe dismantle this modern misconception. Yes, the war starts because Helen was stolen, and the specific conflict in Book 1 arises when Agamemnon steals Achilles’ war prize, Briseis. However, framing this as a petty romance drama misses the point entirely.
- The Honor Culture (Time): In the ancient world, and certainly for the Romans who inherited these values, your worth was determined by the honor paid to you by peers. When Agamemnon takes Briseis, he isn’t just taking a woman; he is stripping Achilles of his status.
- The “Bride Stealing” Motif: This is a standard literary trope, not just a soap opera plot point.
- Fighting for Beauty: As Dr. Noe’s friend Dr. Kevin Culberson noted, moderns fight over material things like oil or territory. The ancients fought over beauty. Is that truly a “lower” motive, or perhaps a more elevated one?
This conflict introduces us to the concept of ** Hubris**. Often mistranslated as “excessive pride,” Dr. Winkle defines it more accurately as “going too far” or “not knowing your place” in relation to the gods and nature. Agamemnon, though politically powerful, steps over a line he cannot uncross by disrespecting the “best of the Achaeans.”
A Lesson in Xenia: Diomedes and Glaucus
For Latin students interested in the social fabric of antiquity, Book 6 of the Iliad offers a masterclass in Xenia (guest-friendship). This concept was so sacred that it could stop a war in its tracks.
In one of the epic’s most memorable scenes, the Greek hero Diomedes (famous for his “war cry” and later wounding the goddess Aphrodite) encounters the Trojan ally Glaucus on the battlefield. Instead of fighting to the death, they discover that their grandfathers were guest-friends.
This revelation supersedes their current allegiances. As Dr. Winkle notes, the fact that they have a family history of guest-friendship is “way more important than their loyalty… to the Trojan or the Greek side.” They essentially stop the war to have a picnic in the middle of the carnage.
The Unequal Exchange
However, the Greek world is agonistic (competitive) to its core. Even a friendly exchange of armor must have a winner.
- Glaucus trades his gold armor (worth 100 oxen).
- Diomedes trades his bronze armor (worth 9 oxen).
Homer tells us that Zeus “stole Glaucus’s wits away” to make such a terrible deal. While gold is flashier, Dr. Noe points out the practical Roman-esque reality: bronze is actually a better metal for armor because gold is too soft. Yet in the currency of honor, Glaucus was fleeced.
Why Classics is a Way of Life
Why spend time decoding the wrath of Achilles or the bad business deals of Glaucus? Why bother learning Latin or Greek in the 21st century?
The hosts argue that engaging with these texts prevents the mind from becoming “weak and emaciated” by a diet of purely pop culture. Whether you are reading the Latin Vulgate or Homer, studying the Classics allows you to engage with the “deep end” of human thought.
Resources for the Aspiring Latinist:
- Ad Navseam Podcast: Listen to Dr. Noe and Dr. Winkle break down these texts with humor and erudition.
- Latin Per Diem: If you want to move from “Neophyte to Erudite,” check out Dr. Noe’s courses.
- The Moss Method: For those brave enough to tackle Greek, this resource (mentioned in the episode) makes the language accessible.
- Hackett Publishing: Build your own library of classics with affordable translations.
Conclusion: Eat Fresh, Read Old
The episode concludes with a reminder that even the “trashy” parts of the Iliad—the bickering, the boasting, the bloodshed—grapple with the biggest human questions: What is the cost of life? What is the nature of excellence?
So, as you continue your journey into the Latin language and the ancient world, remember the lesson of Diomedes and Glaucus: connections run deep, honor is everything, and you should probably keep your gold armor unless you are absolutely sure about the exchange rate.
Until next time, keep your participles dangling and your hubris in check. Valete!
Note: This blog post was adapted from the Ad Navseam Podcast, Episode 2.
