Daskalopetra
“Each man delights in the work that suits him best.”
This quote is from Odysseus, in Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. I also admire the description Odysseus gives himself, in comparison to his more domestic-loving brothers and sisters:
I had no love
for working the land, the chores of households either,
the labor that raises crops of shining children. No,
it was always oarswept ships that thrilled my heart,
and wars, and the long polished spears and arrows,
dreadful gear that makes the next man cringe.
I loved them all–god planted that love inside me.
Each man delights in the work that suits him best.”
I couldn’t agree with him more!
I have a secret (not any more) fantasy to learn Greek well enough to read The Odyssey in Homer’s original language. I started out using Duolingo, but found it was not helpful in learning practical words and phrases. I knew how to say “the pink gorilla sits on the throne,” but after the first four weeks of at least an hour a day of practice, I still couldn’t even unlock the level that would teach me the numbers 1-10 in Greek.
That’s another story, full of complaining, so instead I’ll simply say that I switched to a free app called Mondly and found it to be much more helpful. I might have tried Babbel, but it doesn’t offer Greek.
Any introduction to Greek requires a comfort level with the alphabet, where the letter that looks like a “p” makes the “r” sound and the letter that looks like a “v” makes the “n” sound. The letter that looks like a “B” makes the “v” sound, and some letters are so unfamiliar that I had no clue what sound they made.
You get the picture. For an English speaker, Greek is not at all as easy as learning German or Spanish.
However, I haven’t given up, and I don’t intend to. Despite being back from Greece for several months, I am still practicing and learning every day.
I think Shakespeare would be proud, as his character Lucio said in Measure for Measure, Act I, Scene 4:
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
I’ll be sure to blog about it if I ever get the chance to read Homer in his original language. :)
As a student of all things Greek this year, I’ve also been reading about the teaching styles of the ancient Greeks, such as Socrates, Plato, Artistotle, and Thales.
Even Homer, the great poet, was a teacher, and in June I visited the island of Chios, where some say he was born and all say that he taught his pupils.
The location of his teaching spot is a rock in the Shrine of Cybele, high above the fishing village of Vrontados.
Vrontados, Chios, Greece
The rock where Homer sat and imparted his wisdom to his budding scholars (the eponymous “Homer’s Stone” or “Homerus Stone”) is referred to on the island as Daskalopetra, which in Greek literally means “stone of the teacher.”
Daskalopetra, or “Stone of the Teacher.” Also known as “Homer’s Stone.”
Can’t you just envision the great poet, Homer, languidly seated atop the stone, arms gesticulating as he inspired his students by explaining the timeless values of bravery, loyalty, compassion, and authenticity?
His epic poems of the great Greek warriors and the ancient gods of Greek mythology served as examples for his young students, modeling a life of integrity and pursuit of impassioned work, and demonstrating the tragedies that befell those blinded by greed and bloodlust.
If you, like me, enjoy these tales of epic adventure, courage, tenacity, and wit, I highly recommend reading both The Iliad and The Odyssey. Even translated into English, it is clear that Homer had a beautiful way with words and was able to stir up emotion with his linguistic brilliance.
And if you, like me, can’t get enough of ancient Greek stories these days, you might want to pick up a copy of The Song of Achilles. It was recommended to me by SO many people, all raving about this alternative telling of the heartbreaking story of Patroclus and Achilles, inspired by the events of the Trojan War. Madeline Miller is a beautiful writer, and although I haven’t finished the book yet, I am spellbound by her vast knowledge and storytelling ability.
Whip up a Greek frappe and settle down with any one of these amazing stories of the beloved Greek heroes!
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