The Epics

The Fall of Troy

Although most of us have been taught fragments of Homer and Virgil throughout the duration of our education, there appears to be a lack of emphasis on these timeless classics later on in life, even in academic curricula. Certain masterpieces are truly as living, breathing works of art. As you read them, they kind of kindle a spark in the heart, igniting powerful mental and maybe even metaphysical faculties that would have otherwise remained dormant. Surely the masterpieces of Homer and Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil) are such works, as well as the vast bulk of Plato’s dialogues, whose worth often evades haughty contemporary minds within our watered-down institutions of “higher” learning.

Tales of the fall of Troy or the adventures of Aeneas and Odysseus are narrated in such a way as to educate us in a manner very rarely emulated in other works of any time period. It is as if timeless, universal knowledge is coded into the very words of these works or the visions and activities they represent. It comes as no surprise to us, then, that it is these creations that have survived the ages, through myriad cataclysm man-made or otherwise. While we do not now attribute occurrences in nature to temperamental gods and goddesses, the maha quality of these narrations opens up the eye of consciousness to possibilities greater than that which can be compiled by sense perception alone.

Many have the misguided belief that the books in the Bible are the only written texts with any kind of living spark within them. Quite the contrary, dear friends. There are many texts which transmit specific elements of wisdom and power for the mind. While there definitely should be discernment regarding that which we consume at a cultural level (i.e. it’s probably best not to become cultural garbage disposals), I believe we must work not to limit ourselves with the dogmatic notions of old. For a vastly rewarding literary experience, might I suggest you crack open the works of these ancient masters. You might be surprised by what kind of intellectual awakenings transpire.