Who are we? Epics, identity, and Nolan's Odyssey

*“Epic shows us again and again the pattern of moving from the old myth to a new, carrying everything of value with it as it goes.”* -- Louise Cowan  Christopher Nolan's film version of the ancient Greek myth *The Odyssey* has been big news. Written down by "Homer" some 3-400 years after the destruction of the city of Troy, *The Odyssey* is a mythic account of rise of Greek civilization after the collapse of the Bronze Age Mycenaean kingdoms. It's an old story about ancient times. A blast of the past. And, it always has been. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks heard the myth and remembered their history. They were looking back, recalling a pivotal time of change. A time when notions of honor, order, and the right way of being and living together were redefined. When we read or watch *The* *Odyssey* today, we're stepping into this lineage. Many of us see myth as entertainment, and there have been centuries of cultural change. Still, I wonder if the lasting resonance of *The Odyssey* reveals the power this story continues to hold and explains the big response to Nolan's movie. We are, after all, living in a time when notions of honor, order, and the right way of being and living together are being redefined. Support the show Email Catherine at catherine@mythicmojo.com Post a positive review on apple podcasts! Learn how you can work with Catherine at https://mythicmojo.com Buy me a coffee. Thank you!