The AHEPAN - Summer/Fall 2012 - (Page 11)

Literary Corner A Note from … Hellenic Cultural Commission (HCC) We are pleased to announce the launch of HCC’s website, www.hellenicculturalcommission.com. Our mission is to: “encourage, collect, disseminate, and possibly sponsor all activities that educate and promote the ideals of Hellenism.” Treat the site as a resource for Hellenism events and submit appropriate content to any HCC member for inclusion and publication on the website. Helaine L. Smith Homer is as relevant in the 21st Century as when those beautiful lyrical epic poems were first recited, 2,800 years ago. His poems were and continue to be an extraordinary achievement that has never been equaled. The Iliad, the Odyssey and the ancient Hymns are presented through Homer’s own prism of disputes and negotiations among the Gods, and through moving contrasting scenes between mortal heroes and immortal Gods. The power of the Gods was only constrained by their need to placate each other, destiny, and the conflict between human aspirations and divine will. Homer’s humor, intricate plots, deep emotion and ultimately civilized values led directly to the unsurpassed plays of ancient Greek theater, and through the ages, to all our great literature. Helaine Smith’s insights, interpretations, and introspections provide an excellent canvas on which to revisit these classical poems. Her translations preserve much of their original lyrical beauty and her explanation of ancient Greek sentence structure tries to supplement anything that may have been lost. She selects essential verses and doesn’t follow Homer’s sequence, but rather a more common sense progression of the story line. She introduces the selected passage with background and implications before the verses, all of which are footnoted on the same page, to add immediate comprehension and insight. Having everything on the same page facilitates the text and makes everything clear to the reader – the vocabulary, “Homer and the Homeric Hymns” the literary forms, the machinations of the Gods, Homeric epithets, and even the Greek word derivations. It is a masterful job that truly brings out the richness of the texts. And if a contemporary, insightful, and user friendly presentation of these texts were not enough, there is more. Helaine Smith harnesses her vast experience, as an English literature teacher, to provide exercises in creative writing, questions for discussion and critical thinking, along with sample essays responding to topical questions from the text. Her presentation of these skills, which are all but ignored in our educational system today, is well founded. College bound students will benefit tremendously from these exercises. English teachers will love using these seminal works of Western literature as source texts. It is strongly recommended adding this text to all Chapter libraries and, even more importantly, donating it to community Greek schools and Advanced Placement English teachers, in neighboring Middle Schools and High Schools. This is a must read for anyone interested in the development of Western Civilization. “The First Victory” Dr. George C. Blytas “The First Victory” is a must read for any student of Greek history or of the Second World War. Until October 1940, Hitler and Mussolini had achieved their territorial ambitions everywhere and generally in a matter of weeks. However, on October 28, Mussolini presented Greece with an ultimatum that would lead to his armies being thoroughly defeated by Greece for five-and-a-half months, thus establishing the first victory for the Allies in World War II. Hitler anticipating an easy success in Greece authorized the attack on Russia, which would prove so disastrous for Germany because of the courageous resistance of the Greek army and people. The costs and sacrifices of Greece are well documented and the implications and consequenc-es carefully explained, but perhaps the greatest contribution is the compelling scenario: “What would have happened if Greece didn’t?” Book Order Form Portion of book proceeds help fund HCC Supreme Convention Hellenism lectures and Web Site (501(C)10) www.hellenicculturalcommission.com. Payment—cash, check, or credit card; S&H—$5.05 Book inscription by author available by phone or mail. Please post your requested inscription to the right and mail it to: AHEPA HQ Attn: Hellenic Cultural Commission, 1909 Q Street NW Suite 500, Washington DC 20009 Homer and the Homeric Hymns Price—$29.95 The First Victory Price—$39.95 Name ______________________________ Address _____________________________ City, State and Zip Code ________________ ____________________________________ Phone number ________________________ Inscription ___________________________ ____________________________________ www.ahepa.org Summer/Fall 2012 The AhepAN 11 http://www.hellenicculturalcommission.com http://www.hellenicculturalcommission.com http://www.ahepa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The AHEPAN - Summer/Fall 2012

The AHEPAN - Summer/Fall 2012
Contents
Presidents’ Messages
AHEPA Family News
The Periclean
Literary Corner
Viva Las Vegas: Unopposed, Grossomanides Wins Reelection
Civic Responsibility
PAC Update
Housing
Athletics
AHEPA Family Chapter News
In Memoriam

The AHEPAN - Summer/Fall 2012