The Real Buzz: Feasting and Partying in the Homeric Epic
Feasts and drinking have long been a way for societies and communities to come together in order to share ideas, tell stories, celebrate victories, and mourn the dead. This communal expression is universal to all people, both in the modern and ancient worlds. The activities that the Greeks engaged in, such as feasts for funerals and for other celebrations, were also recorded in Homer’s Iliad. Whether it was the feast hosted by Agamemnon before the beginning of the fighting or the festivities surrounding the funeral of Patroclus, the depictions by Homer all show the centrality of feasting in the lives of the ancient Greeks. As a result, the concept of festivities and revelry appealed to us as a link to ancient Greece and the Homeric epic that anyone could relate to.
This exhibit aims to explore the activity of feasting, as well as its depiction in the art of the ancient Greeks, in relation to the Iliad. Through the use of drinking cups, plates, and vases, artists were able to create pieces that were simultaneously functional and decorative for the elaborate parties thrown by the kings and other people of status. These pieces were not only used as vessels and containers for food and drink, but also provided guests with the opportunity to discuss the stories and heroes shown on them, particularly those from Homer’s Iliad. In this way, the exhibit provides a link to the past, and gives us insight into the type of revelry that the ancient civilization engaged in.
Thank you for visiting our exhibit and we hope you enjoy learning about the connection between drinking and feasting and the Homeric epic in Ancient Greece!
Troy Rocks Museum Group Presentation .pptx