Maine Humanities Council

The war is stalemated in its 10^th year. Two powerful warlords argue over the spoils. The more charismatic of the two suddenly goes berserk after the death of his closest comrade.

Sound familiar? But it’s not today’s news from Afghanistan. It’s a tale first told some 3,000 years ago by the Greeks. On March 9-10, 2012, at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, the Maine Humanities Council returns to this ancient yet only too fresh story for its 15^th annual Winter Weekend, devoted to Homer’s The Iliad in the Robert Fagles translation.

The weekend features scholarly yet accessible lectures—led off by Mainer Caroline Alexander, author of the bestselling The War That Killed Achilles—small-group discussions, a reception, and a Mediterranean feast.

This interdisciplinary program will especially appeal to students and teachers of epic poetry, mythology, world civilizations, and international relations. (CEUs are available.) Speakers will examine The Iliad not just as a literary classic but for what Homer has to tell us about war and peace, revenge and forgiveness, violence and its psychological impact.  We will highlight, for example, how Homer has been used with remarkable success in hospital reading groups with Vietnam and Iraqi War veterans.

There are still a limited number of places available – an excellent holiday gift for the thoughtful readers on your list! The $225 registration fee includes tuition, a copy of the text (which is also available on audiotape), three meals, the wine and cheese reception, and background readings. Register now!