Homer and Classical Philology

"Homer and Classical Philology" by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche is an academic lecture delivered as an inaugural address at Bâle University in the late 19th century. This work discusses the intricacies and challenges associated with classical philology, particularly focused on the figure of Homer and the nature of his contributions to literature. Nietzsche reflects on the various perspectives and debates surrounding Homeric studies, positioning the complexity of philology against its many opponents. In this lecture, Nietzsche explores the "Homeric question," primarily regarding the personality and historical context of Homer. He examines how different interpretations of Homer have evolved, reflecting broader cultural shifts in understanding poetry. Through a critique of both traditional beliefs and contemporary methodologies in literary studies, Nietzsche argues for the necessity of recognizing the amalgam of artistic and historical influences shaping the works attributed to Homer. He emphasizes that the greatness of the Homeric epics lies not solely in the genius of a singular poet, but also in the collective contributions of a culture that produced these enduring narratives. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche was a German classical scholar, philosopher, and critic of culture, who became one of the most influential of all modern thinkers. He began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest person to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in Switzerland in 1869, at the age of 24, but resigned in 1879 due to health problems that plagued him most of his life; he completed much of his core writing in the following decade. In 1889, at age 44, he suffered a collapse and afterward a complete loss of his mental faculties, with paralysis and probably vascular dementia. He lived his remaining years in the care of his mother until her death in 1897, and then with his sister Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche. Nietzsche died in 1900, after experiencing pneumonia and multiple strokes.