Homer and Classical Philology

In this spirited inaugural address, the speaker surveys the tangled landscape of classical philology, portraying it as a hybrid of history, natural science, and aesthetics. He explains how the discipline’s roots lie in the practical needs of education, yet over time it has grown into a loosely bound collection of methods that still strives to recover the ideal world hidden in ancient texts. The talk also highlights the paradox that philology is both celebrated and mocked—admired for its lofty aspirations while dismissed by those who see it as an idle, outdated pastime.

Turning to the cultural battles surrounding the study of Homer and the Greek legacy, the lecturer warns of the “enemies” who undermine the field, from skeptics who ridicule scholarly rigor to fervent modernists who reject Hellenic values outright. He argues that only artists and truly aesthetic minds can defend the subtle dignity of the classical tradition against such assaults. The address ends by urging a renewed, collaborative spirit among philologists to protect and revive the discipline’s profound educational and ethical promise.