¶ … videos presented week. Chapter 2 Identify a piece art, music, architecture,

The piece of art, music, architecture, philosophy or literature from ancient Greece, Rome, China, or India that this document will examine in depth is The Odyssey, which was written by Homer. There are numerous ways in which this piece of literature is representative of, and important to ancient Greek culture and that culture's relationship to the culture of ancient Rome. In some ways, it continues the chronicles of The Iliad in that it is based on the Trojan War and its aftermath (Homer). The Trojan War, of course, is directly related to the founding of Rome since Aeneas was able to flee and establish this state in the wake of the war's ending. The Odyssey, however, chronicles the fortune of a different hero, Odysseus, as he also attempts to return home from this particular martial encounter.

Many of the virtues, mores and customs that ancient Greece was known for are illustrated within this work of literature. This fact is particularly true in relation to the religious practices. Above all things, the lengthy journey Odysseus endures while returning home is a testament to the power of the gods of ancient Greece. He encounters a moment in which he does not show reverence to these polytheistic beings, endures numerous difficulties as a result, and is finally able to return home due to their largess and his own fortitude and cleverness.

However, this epic poem not only helps to serve as a model for other epic poems, but it also exemplifies the virtues for which ancient Greek culture was known. Humility and piety before the gods are certainly some of these virtues. Also, however, this book demonstrates the virtues of home and the hearth. The home of Odysseus was overrun with suitors attempting to marry his wife (Homer, 2008); his triumph in the poem is not only a personal triumph but also one representative of the virtues of order and stateliness -- particularly as they pertain to home life.

References

Homer. (circa 900 B.C.). The Iliad. www.classics.miet.edu. Retrieved from http://classics.mit.edu/Homer/iliad.html

Homer. (2008). The Odyssey. www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/24269/24269-h/24269-h.htm#BOOK_XXII