3/31 Classics Update

For this weeks OPTIONAL study, we will be looking at Plato's Myth of Er.  While this is optional to look at now, it will be a piece of our required look at the Afterlife that we will use when we return.

This is Book X of Plato's Republic written in the 4th century BCE (about 300ish years after The Odyssey) It is NOT a real myth, Plato wrote his own "myth" to capture his ideas about the afterlife.

We have to look at this before we can continue with The Aeneid, as Aeneas's next stop on his journey will be his visit to the Underworld (But it is not written until 3 centuries AFTER Plato and is Roman).

Just like you did with Homer's Book of the Dead (BK. XI of The Odyssey) you should read this noting details on the nature of the dead and death. As well, as look for similarities and differences in the ideas of Plato  vs. the earlier Homer. (We will then compare them both to Virgil).

I will open a discussion board on turnitin for questions and ideas. This is a VERY complicated text, so it is perfect for clarifying questions and discussion.