Jay-Z 4 Odysseus?

According to Perez Hilton (don't'cha just love my impecable journalistic sources?), American rapper Jay-Z has cited Homer's Odyssey as one of the six books that have "made a difference in his life" in O, The Oprah Magazine of all places.

"This epic poem was kind of difficult for me to get through, but it has a beautiful rhythm. I got lost in reading about Odysseus’ struggle to get home and his longing for someone so strong, as his wife was, waiting for him. That’s like a dream—that kind of strength, love, loyalty."

Nothing about his philandering, cheating and flirting with underage young ladies (Nausicaa, I'm looking at you), then?

Recognition, My Dearests

Two posts in one day!

Apologies for not acknowledging this earlier: our friends at Farrago have name-dropped us, so it is only fair to do the same back. My darlings, your labels are an art-form in themselves! Love and kisses to you all, but I'm afraid I don't have suitable quote to recite back.

So instead, I shall offer a picture and promise to add you to our faves now that I've finally managed to find you on blogger.


Eros and Psyche from the Capitoline, Roman copy of a Hellenistic original (2nd century, BC).

P.S. After some experimentation, Classicae et Fashionistae is now 'following' Farrago here on Blogger! xxx
P.P.S. That picture seemed like a good idea at the time, because I love the romance of that sculpture, but on reflection it's a tad too pornographic to truly represent our relationship, isn't it? Sorry guys... xxx

Spend a Penny

Finally, a post that mixes Classics and Fashion! Isn't this pendant a lovely idea? A cast of an ancient coin on a chain, so simple but so effective. I actually think that this might have to go on my birthday/christmas list this year...



And, in case you were worried, I quote the words of the crafter:
"**No actual ancient coins were harmed in the making of this necklace**"

The necklace is on Etsy and is priced at $45, by seller SmartBird.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: I lie: I have actually already posted on Classics and Fashion when I went off on one about Medea...]

Murderous Medea: A Recipe for Wedding Disaster?

Who on earth would name a wedding dress after Medea?!



Elizabeth Fillmore, apparently. The above dress is cccccrrrraaaaazy in an eccentrically beautiful kind of way, but even if I had the necessary funds ($19,580, apparently - which is, what, the best part of £12,000?) I don't think I could bring myself to wear a dress worn by such an ill-starred mythological figure.

Let's remind ourselves of her story, shall we? (I'm sticking mostly with Euripides here, I think) Medea is minding her own business on Colchis when along comes the handsome Jason - who doesn't so much sweep her off her feet, as convince her to help him nick the rather valuable and certainly unique golden fleece by murdering and dismembering her own brother. Nice. Then, they get back home to Corinth, and after knocking her up a couple of times Jason announces he's leaving her for a princess (the daughter of the king, not just a spoilt blonde); as if that weren't bad enough, he pretty much tells her it's all her own fault for being different and that, not to worry, she can be an ex-wife with 'benefits', if she wants. In retaliation, Medea is emotionally torn, but decides to punish him by killing the two children she has borne him in cold blood (but off-stage). She doesn't even leave their little lifeless bodies behind for the now-bereft Jason to bury with the proper rites.

Even the myth seems to blame Jason, because Medea doesn't get her comeupance but is carried off on the sun-god's chariot. Ovid has a rather nice line in Medea's point of view, too, in his Heroides (note too that Jason has not one but two letters from scorned special lady friends in the Heroides, the cad!).

So all in all, not the best name for a wedding dress.