Sweet Words, Sweet Beat: Rhythm and Meaning in Early Greek Epic: A Lecture by Prof. Stephen A. Sansom

Does rhythm have meaning? This talk explores correlations between poetic meter and themes of “sweetness” in the epic poetry of archaic Greece. Using novel computational techniques, it argues that Greek epic modulates its rhythm to reinforce important topics, such as the musicality of song, threats of social disorder, and persuasiveness of rhetoric. By bridging data science and close reading, this talk shows new ways to understand the sound and meaning of early Greek poetry.

Join the Department of Classics for Prof. Stephen A. Sansom’s lecture on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 5:00 in Murphey Hall room 104. Lectures are free and open to the public. Email Elissa Phillips with any questions or concerns.