Homeric Warriors and Battles

Trying to Resolve Old Problems

Bibliographic Data

ID9367142
AuthorsKurt A Raaflaub (corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume101
Issue4
Pages469-483
Publication date2008-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Classical World (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0009-8418 • E-ISSN: 1558-9234
PublisherProject MUSE (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1353/clw.0.0015
OpenAlexW2030811684
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited29

Homeric battle descriptions have long eluded satisfactory interpretation. Major problems include the mode of fighting, the role of commoners in battle, the extraordinary duration of battles lasting entire days, and the use of chariots. A better understanding is possible by taking the poet’s narrative techniques seriously (such as alternation between panoramic and scenic perspectives or common use of formulaic or type scenes). The latter, for example, help explain the “epic overextension” of battles by stringing together “normal battles,” corresponding to a familiar reality, and chaotic-fantastic flight and aristeia scenes, where gods and chariots are much more prominent than elsewhere

Ancient history · Art · Battle · EPIC · Interpretation (philosophy · Linguistics · Literature · Mode (computer interface · Narrative · Ancient Near East History · Classical Antiquity Studies · Computer Science · Historical, Religious, and Philosophical Studies · History · Philosophy

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