This Circe book review describes the Madeline Miller book that appeared in 2020. It is Miller’s retelling of the story of Circe, a Titan witch who appears in a couple of the classics of Greek mythology. We remember Circe best, probably, for the enchantments she places on Odysseus’s men in the Odyssey. So, the first […]
Tag: Greece
Hanging Gardens of Babylon – Was This Fantastic Wonder Real?
I’ve saved the Hanging Gardens of Babylon for last in my description of the ancient world’s wonders. I have several reasons for doing so. First, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are anomalous in several ways when compared to the other six wonders I’ve featured on my blog. They are the only wonder located outside the […]
The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus – A New Kind of Ancient Tomb?
It’s a little smaller than the pyramids at Giza, granted. But, as far as ancient tombs go, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus takes a back seat to no other monument. In fact, one might even concede that the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus brought its occupant more fame than any pyramid. It is, after all, Mausolus’s name that […]
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia – Power & Art Perfected?
A second of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was the statue of Zeus at Olympia. Like six of the seven wonders, sadly, it is not extant. You cannot travel to see it today like you can visit the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. And unlike some of the other great statues of antiquity, […]
Shakespeare for Squirrels – Is This Strange Book Worth Reading?
The recent novel Shakespeare for Squirrels is the work of Christopher Moore. A particularly well-read aunt introduced me to Moore’s books several years ago. He writes funny books, and his sense of humor border on insane, but in the best possible way. Moore’s trilogy You Suck, Bite Me, and Bloodsucking Fiends remain the funniest books […]
The Battle of Thermopylae – Facts, Myths, and its Real Importance
The Battle of Thermopylae gained pop culture fame in 2006 when the movie 300 caught the attention of audiences. Although scholars had not neglected the battle prior to 2006, its popularity soared, at least temporarily. In the process, the Battle of Thermopylae (fought in 480 BCE) became a popular symbol of heroic resistance against overwhelming […]