Confronting Bodies: Plato, Emperor Caligula and the Roman Republic
Dates of action: 387 B.C.
Location: Greece
Description of the Art Work
"The Odyssey": Epic poem in 24 books traditionally. This epic and the
"Iliad" are said to have provided the basis of Greek education and
culture throughout the classical age. The poem is the story of Odysseus,
King of Ithaca, who after 10 years of wanderings (although the action of
the poem is in fact the final six weeks) returns home from the Trojan
War. He finds himself recognized only by his faithful dog and a nurse.
With the help of his son Telemachus he destroys the importunate suitors
of his wife Penelope and reestablishes himself in his kingdom.
Description of incident
387 B.C. Greece : Plato suggested expurgating Homer for immature readers.
A.D. 35 Rome : Caligula tried to suppress "The Odyssey" because it
expressed Greek ideals of freedom - dangerous in autocratic Rome
Results of incident
Unknown
Source: Banned Books 387 B.C. to 1978 A.D., by Anne Lyon Haight, and Chandler B.
Grannis, R.R. Bowker Co, 1978.
