Citation

Fox R. Evol. Psychol. 2008; 6(3): 432-435.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, The Author(s), Publisher Ian Pitchford and Robert M. Young)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Reviews the book, "The rape of troy: Evolution, violence and the world of homer" by Jonathan Gottschall (2008). Jonathan Gottschall, himself a Greek scholar and Homer expert, who has taken the trouble to learn the best of evolutionary theory and information and asked himself the question: can our knowledge of behavioral evolution inform our interpretation of Homer and archaic Greece? Not to explain away Homer at all, but to elucidate what is happening in the great epics. Gottschall mines it for information on the motives and methods of the Greek warriors in a tribal society (not a nation) addicted to conflict, not unlike the Vikings. Gottschall go on to make a powerful case that Homeric violence, personal and collective, was largely directly about women, and this is true. Here is where knowing Homer the way he does really counts. Gottschall's remarkable book should inspire us all to do better. Lord knows there are quibbles enough here to keep us all busy, scholars and scientists alike, and that is how it should be. But for a Homeric moment let us be free to wonder and applaud. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)