Homer’s Iliad to be performed by
Mark Miner in Ancient Greek

Norman - Homer, an ancient Greek poet, will be brought to life as Mark Miner performs the first book of the epic poem Illiad in costume. This unique performance will be held on the University of Oklahoma Norman campus at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, in 132 George Lynn Cross Hall, 770 Van Vleet Oval.

Miner will present the poem in the manner of rhapsode, which literally means a person who sews together song. Rhapsodes were highly trained professional performers of poetry who performed at public festivals and competed with each other at public contests throughout ancient times.

“Mark Miner is reviving a tradition that is very, very old,” said Richard Beck, professor in the Department of Classics in the College of Arts and Sciences. “In the classroom, people have been used to not hearing languages spoken, especially among Greek and Latin classes.”

The performance may be enjoyed by everyone as the book will be divided into short passages and each will be presented in English, then performed by Minor in Greek.

Beck said the number of students enrolled in the Greek program has grown and it is hoped this event will spark further interest in Greek studies.

“I think students and community will be exposed to something quite unusual but enjoying,” Beck said.

Minor’s stop at OU is only one out of the many he will have performed as part of his tour of the middle of the country.  Miner is a prominent member of the Society for the Oral Reading of Latin and Greek.  In addition to teaching workshops for teachers of Greek and Latin, he was chosen to record CDs, which accompany one of the most popular Latin and Greek textbooks, introducing students to the spoken language. 

Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting Adrienne Rose at (405) 325-3478, in 103C Kaufman Hall, by April 24.