Posthomerica: The Fall of Troy

By: Quintus Smyrnaeus
Translated by Arthur S. Way

It is tough being the following act to Homer. Posthomerica was an enjoyable read but the quality between Homer and Quintus is quite large.
One would think with the amount of events between the Iliad and the Odyssey, Posthomerica would be an excellent piece.
Generally it was quite enjoyable but I think that there are times where the buildup is more interesting than the climax.
Perhaps this is the same. Homer discusses interesting topics: center around the back and forth battle between the Acheans and Sons of Priam.
Then Homer tells stories of a journey to return Home and the challenges at Home.
Perhaps he understood that these challenges are more interesting than Victory or Defeat, the Fall of Troy.

Click below to show spoilers:
I was most curious about the Madness of Ajax the Greater. I feel such a loss and mourning when Odysseus sees him in Hades and Ajax will not even talk to him, only turning his back. The conflict over Achilles armor truely is so tragic. I respect Ajax’s RAGE. Achilles death is interesting, I think that he was killed by a stray or well aimed arrow, that was not shot by Paris. Paris’s death was cathartic. I dislike him and was glad to see him succumb to death.
Thersites’s speech to Achilles about Penthesilea being a useless wench and he is a fool for feeling sorrow at her death is so hilarious. Thersites is truely an amusing character and bold too. Diomedes raging that he will kill anyone that would like to flee was enjoyable and I felt so bitter and hateful towards Helen’s callious response to Paris’s death. Helen truely is dispicable.
Sinon is a true hero and I have immense respect towards him. Dante treats him so horribly and I greatly disagree. The Trojan Horse scheme was quite interesting and had many details I never thought of. The burning of Troy and fleeing of Aeneas was quite something. I understand Menalous not killing Helen but oh how I wish he had.
Much respect to Ajax the Lesser for fighting on to the bitter end.

I appreciate how often “ahh fooool” and “henchman” phrases were used in this book. It was quite amusing.

For to the wise and prudent man renown Is better far than gold, than goodlihead, Than all good things men have or hope to win.