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It’s Homer vs Hollywood. How does the 2004 film Troy stand up to its inspiration, The Iliad? What did Hollywood get right, what did they butcher, and should you watch the film?
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Hey Erik:
I’ve watched the movie *Troy* several times…It’s entertaining, and like you I especially liked the “zoom out scene” of the many Greek ships approaching the Troy harbor. It really helps you imagine the supposedly 1,000 ships–although that number was surely exaggerated !
One thing that struck me was Brad Pitt’s dyed-blonde hair ! I always thought of Greeks as swarthy with dark eyes and skin and brown hair. He was not believable as Achilles–at least to me. I thought the guy that played Hector was good.
I have read *The Oresteia* and took a class on it. (through UNC’s Program Public Humanities. It’s valuable knowledge to read for several reasons; which I won’t go into now.
I have also come across *The Odes* by Pindar book, and plan to read it sometime.
I have come across an incredible website: It is The Kosmos Society: https://kosmossociety.org/. It is out of Harvard Univ Dept of Classics; and they’ve “been in business” for over 10 years !. There is a nearly overwhelming ton of materials and information on the site. They also have “Open House” and “Book Clubs,” which I haven’t yet figured out how to participate in. There’s a YouTube channel, of course.
I am presently teaching *The Aeneid* all this month. I like it and *The Iliad* very much. I highly recommend *The Aeneid*.
Also, I am reading Thucydides *History of the Peloponnesian Wars* and taking a class in it, also through UNC’s Program in the Public Humanities. I find this subject–military history–very interesting; and especially to consider it in terms of contemporary military history.
Best,
Blaine
The School of Athens, https://www.theschoolofathens.net