Introduction to Classics

Catullus V is one of the most famous of his poems. And he mentions this Lesbia character. She shows up in 25 of his 116 poems. Many scholars think it is the daughter of a known patrician with whom he is consorting and causing a scandal, Clodia Metelli.

Sophocles challenges social norms with Antigone. Antigone tells us what drives her. She is obeying the gods rather than Kreon because his edict is invalid because it goes against what the gods have told her to do with her family, namely to bury them.

The basic plot is that after Oedipus gouges out his eyes and leaves Thebes, his two sons Polynices and Eteocles decide to rule, not in tandem, but alternately. When Eteocles doesn't relinquish the throne, Polynices enlists the help of the Argives to conquer the city and take the throne. Both he and Eteocles meet on the battlefield and destroy each other. Kreon takes the throne who is their uncle and brother to Oedipus' wife and mother Jocasta. So Kreon makes an edict that Polynices is an enemy of the state and shouldn't be buried.

We explore Sophocles' Antigone. The third tragedy of his trilogy on Oedipus Rex.

Greek Tragedies were theatrical performances in ancient greece. We only have 32 tragedies which have survived. Some of which you may have heard. Oedipus Rex, Antigone, Medea.

Welcome to the classics podcast. I'm Cube. This is the first in a series of podcasts about Classical literature. That's Classical with a capital C.