Binding: Hardcover Dewey Decimal Number: 883.01 EAN: 9780521853576 ISBN: 0521853575 Label: Cambridge University Press Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 618 Publication Date: September 19, 2005 Publisher: Cambridge University Press Sales Rank: 312728 Studio: Cambridge University Press
Product DescriptionWhere is the Ithaca described in such detail in Homer's Odyssey? The mystery has baffled scholars for over two millennia, particularly because Homer's descriptions bear little resemblance to the modern island called Ithaki. This highly illustrated book tells the extraordinary story of the exciting recent discovery of the true location of Homer's Ithaca by following a detective trail of literary, geological and archaeological clues. We can now identify all the places on the island that are mentioned in the epic--even the site of Odysseus' palace itself. The pages of the Odyssey come alive as we follow its events through a landscape that opens up before our eyes via glorious color photographs and 3-D satellite images. Over a century after Schliemann's discovery of Troy, the information in this groundbreaking volume will revolutionize our understanding of Homer's text and of our cultural ancestors in Bronze Age Greece. Robert Bittlestone was educated in classics and science before reading economics at the University of Cambridge. He is the founder of Metapraxis Ltd., a company specializing in the detection of early warnings for multinational companies. Bittlestone is the author of many articles about the importance of visualization and has applied these principles to the enigma described in this book. James Diggle is Professor of Greek and Latin at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Queens' College. John Underhill is Chair of Stratigraphy at the University of Edinburgh and Associate Professor in the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Enchanting story, with good evidence, without conclusive proof
Mr. Bittlestone argues that the Paliki peninsula in present day Cephalonia is the location of Homeric Ithaca. He tries to support his hypothesis with literary and geological arguments.
First, let me say that although I live in Cephalonia, I was born and raised in Thessaloniki, so I don't have a vested interested in this affair any more than the author. I 'd like to believe that I am just as impartial as he is.
The book makes a good case for the existence of an ancient channel ... Read More
Rating: - Speculative Archaelogy the right way
There are lots of speculative archaelogy/history books out there by authors who are not specialists in the field and many have interesting ideas to share. Sadly, most are flawed in their interpretation of evidence or wander off into the realm of complete speculation. This book is not one of those books.
Bittlestone is not an archaelogist, he's just someone who had an interesting theory that could explain the controvery surrounding attempts to identify Homer's Ithaca (home of hero Odysseus) ... Read More
Rating: - Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca
I bought this book for my husband and he said it was everything he could have ever hoped it would be. He is so pleased with it and he reads from it or just browses through it just about every single day.
Rating: - superb production at a great price
a very convincing review of the story of the Odyssey in terms of modern geological and other scholarship
Rating: - Exciting historical detective work
Any admirer of Homer's Odysseus will love this work. It is important in reminding us also never to underestimate the work of amateur historians and archeologists. Through convincing geographical example and a thorough knowledge of ancient classics, the author takes us on the investigation to find the home of the ancient Odysseus. The result is a very convincing tale and perhaps the best hope yet that the ingenius warrior's home is real and has been discovered. A wonderful collection of photographs ... Read More
