Ὅμηρος ἐν Βυζαντίῳ

Homer, Constantinople, and the Byzantine Scholars

Seminar in Ancient Greek, Istanbul, February 23th-March 1st, 2025

Rogerus Byzantinus and Schola Humanistica

Ὅμηρος ἐν Βυζαντίῳ is a seminar in Ancient Greek dedicated to Homer and those who, in the Byzantine Middle Ages, applied their investigative sharpness to the Iliad and the Odyssey, or drew inspiration from these works to create new prose and poetry. Eustathius, Archbishop of Thessalonica, wrote a rich commentary on the Iliad and Odyssey in the 12th century. During the same period, Theodore Prodromus imagined a Homeric-themed dialogue set in the square of Constantinople, from which he created a Lucianic-style dialogue. In that same century, John Tzetzes wrote a work that reimagined the events leading up to the Trojan War.

With this series of lessons, which will take place in Istanbul from February 24th to March 1st, 2025, Rogerus Byzantinus and Schola Humanistica offer an immersive journey into the world of Homer and medieval Constantinople. This will create a play of mirrors and resonances that will allow participants to rediscover Homer through the perspective of 12th-century Hellenism and the Byzantine world as it took shape, through reflection on some of the most significant passages of ancient epic. We will follow Odysseus on his descent into the underworld, see the Achaean armies lined up on the plains of Ilium, attend the assemblies of Trojan princes, and witness the conversations between Hector and Andromache, as well as between Achilles and Priam—passages that philosophers like Weil and Bespaloff in the 20th century identified as archetypes of Homeric sublimity.

The lessons will take place in the center of Istanbul, in the historic district of Beyoğlu. 

During the week, participants will have the opportunity to visit some of Istanbul’s most significant sites: the Basilica Cistern, Hagia Sophia, Chora Church, the Hippodrome, the Arsenal, the Archaeological Museum, and the Golden Gate. All visits will be conducted entirely in Ancient Greek, just like the rest of the program, and will be enriched by readings from writers who, over the centuries, wrote about the city and its monuments. The excursions will also include exercises to help students enhance their proficiency in the active use of Ancient Greek.

SCHEDULE PROGRAM

The order of the activities in the program might be subjected to some small changes.