Students gathered around a warm fire in the Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Moller Amphitheater to read Homer’s “Odyssey,” with some passages in Greek, at Hillsdale’s annual Homerathon.
Professors and students read the epic poem starting at 4 p.m. on Oct. 3, and finishing 24 hours later. Since the “Odyssey” has 24 books, one is read each hour for the duration of the event. The classics honorary, Eta Sigma Phi, hosted the event and provided snacks for the participants.
The annual tradition started at Hillsdale in 2008, alternating each year between the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” according to Joshua Benjamins, visiting assistant professor of classics.
This year, about 15 students took turns reading to the dozens of students who came to listen to the old epic, some staying for hours at a time. Though most of the poem was read in an English translation, Gavin Weaire, professor of classics, Patricia Aeschliman, assistant professor of classics, and junior Robert Keeton read sections of books 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the original Greek.
While most students were only able to join in for an hour or two, freshman Stephen Comus stayed for the entire 24 books, bringing a wool blanket to brave the chilly overnight hours. He also kept the firepit burning for the duration of the event.
Comus said he enjoyed people reading in goofy voices at 3 a.m.
The “Odyssey” dates back to the 7th or 8th century B.C. and has inspired and follows the 10-year journey of Odysseus as he tries to return home after the Trojan War.
Comus said his favorite part of the “Odyssey” is when Odysseus’ dog recognizes him after he returns home, then dies.
“It’s a very powerful moment even though it’s kind of sad,” Comus said.
He also remarked on some funny events at previous Homerathons.
“One vivid memory from recent years was a bone-tired Zachary Chen nearly collapsing into the firepit 11 hours into a Homerathon but being pulled back from the brink of death by a trusty comrade,” Benjamins said.
While the event had plenty of water, cookies, and chips this year, Benjamins said he had some funny memories concerning the snacks in years past.
“I recall a year when an oversized bag of candy corn was the only sustenance available through the wee hours of the morning. I’ve found myself unable to consume candy corn since then”
Sophomore Alethia Diener said reading aloud has always been a special part of her family’s culture, so she is blessed to see that it is a part of campus life as well.
“The spoken word has such power to shape souls and lives and entire societies, and it’s so fitting that this college, deeply rooted in ancient texts, keeps the flame alive,” Diener said.
There are two important aspects to the Homerathon, according to Diener. Both the text itself and the students’ present, authentic way of entering into the moment together.
“You can tell when you talk to these people that they’ve been formed by literature and by the power of togetherness,” Diener said “You know you’re participating in a great, living story side by side, and that you are, together, the next chapter of that story.”
