| Great Books Reading and Discussion Group |
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A 17th-century fictional portrait of Lucian of Samosata |
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Alumni meet monthly to discuss one of the classics of literature.
Cost: Free, apart from the cost of food and drink
No Registration Required
The Great Books Reading Group continues its exploration of the character of Odysseus throughout literature from Homer to the present. This month we read The True History by Lucian of Samosata. Lucian lived from around AD 125 to AD 180 in Samosata in modern Turkey, then within the Roman province of Syria. Lucian wrote in Greek, but considered himself a "barbarian." This short work is considered one of the earliest novels in Western civilization. Unlike most other literature of the time, it is written in prose, and it parodies parts of the Odyssey and also historical tales from the works of Thucydides. Lucian has also been called one of the earliest science fiction writers, since The True History contains an account of voyages to the Moon and Venus and describes extraterrestrial life. And of course Odysseus appears, wishing he had stayed with Calypso and gained eternal life. For an overview of the proposed long-term schedule for out study of Odysseus, please see Odysseus in Literature
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Event Information
EVENT DATE:
Monday, Feb 22 2016 at 6:15pm - 8:00pm [ iCal ]
LOCATION:
Agora Restaurant
1527 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036 USA
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