Classics Honorary Hosts Annual Homer Reading
Students gathered around a warm fire in the Dorothy D. 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. and finishing 24 hours later. The "Odyssey" has 24 books, with one book 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.
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.
Author's summary: Students read Homer's "Odyssey" at Hillsdale's annual Homerathon.