Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
by CTCWeb Editors
Exposure to the Greek Alphabet
If you intend to use Perseus in the classroom or to have your students use Perseus for research at the beginning, middle or end of a unit or course, it is best to expose them to the Greek alphabet. Exposure through transliteration will allow students to make better use to the database without fearing the Greek words they will run into.
In connection with Homer, the Iliad and the Odyssey, students should examine the Greek words that have been transliterated into English, often via Latin. Either in class or as an out-of-class exercise, have students turn the following words into would they believe to be the proper Greek spelling. Students should be supplied with a transliteration chart such as the one below. Once they have what they believe to be a Greek spelling have them check the spelling with the real Greek found by performing a search for each word in the English-Greek Word List in Perseus.
WORDS TO LOOK UP: Achean, Homer, Achilles, Odysseus, Troy, Cassandra, Penelope, Agamemnon, Circe, cyclops.
When You Only Have One Copy of Perseus
With the right preparation any of the exercises suggested can be done in the classroom with a single copy of Perseus. The exercises can also be revised, shortened or lengthened, for out-of-class projects. Professors and teachers alike have recommended a sign-up procedure be put in place when a single copy of Perseus is available. Students should be instructed on the use of Perseus before sitting down to use the program and some kind of support should be available when they use it on their own.
The computer on which students will do their research should be easily accessible. It should also be designated or prioritized as the “Perseus” computer to avoid conflicts in its use. Try some of the following assignments in the classroom. Review each step that you will perform before you try it in front of an audience.
