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Study of the Homeric epics was one of the primary means of polishing literary skills. Students would copy, memorize, recite, and analyze these verses. The Homeric epics provided a valuable model for good writing as well as acting as a shared cultural artifact that could be referenced in full confidence.

Below is a selection of the text in Greek. By clicking on the appropriate link, you can hear what it really sounded like!

Iliad 18.393-4

τὴν δ᾽ ἠμείβετ᾽ ἔπειτα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις
ἦ ῥά νύ μοι δεινή τε καὶ αἰδοίη θεὸς ἔνδον...

And the famous god of the two strong arms answered her: “Truly then a fearsome and honored goddess is within my halls..."

Click the girl's head to hear the passage recited in ancient Greek! (Prof. R. Scodel, reading in Erasmian pronunciation.)

Click the boy's head to hear the passage recited in modern Greek! (Read by Dr. N. Litinas.)