Beyond the Odyssey: a guide to Greek mythology
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Following the anticipated release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in 2026, classicist Natalie Haynes discussed how people can best approach ancient Greek literature and myth.
Haynes explained that many people are discouraged from studying Greek or Latin because they believe they lack the intelligence needed, but she argues the classics should be accessible to everyone.
She noted that translating ancient texts involves choices, like interpreting the Greek word polytropos in the Odyssey as “complicated” instead of “resourceful”, and that even the structure of the original poetry is difficult to replicate in English. Haynes also highlighted key concepts in ancient Greek culture, such as xenia (guest-friendship) and kleos (glory), to help readers understand the values and motivations of characters in texts like the Iliad.
She pointed out that the pursuit of kleos wasn’t necessarily positive, as Odysseus himself reflects upon in the underworld. Haynes emphasized that myths are not static, and there are multiple versions of each story, including one where Helen of Sparta went to Egypt instead of Troy, and that modern interpretations often reflect contemporary biases.
Haynes recommended Edith Hall’s Introducing the Ancient Greeks for beginners, Daniel Mendelsohn’s An Odyssey for those with some familiarity, and Catherine Atherton Levante’s Monsters and Monstrosity in Greek and Roman Culture for experts, suggesting these books offer different perspectives on the ancient world and its stories.
