May 6, 2021

Fourth Annual Homerathon goes virtual May 13

The university’s first-ever Homerathon — a marathon reading of “Iliad” — was held April 19 on the Meier Commons green space north of the Nebraska Union.
Craig Chandler | University Communication

Craig Chandler | University Communication
The 2018 Homerathon was a campus event held on the greenspace near Nebraska Union. The 2021 Homerathon will be held virtually.

The Department of Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is running its fourth annual Homerathon online due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Mark your calendar to watch the video on May 13. The video will be posted on the website in the morning and can be watched at any time. A Q&A session will follow at 6 p.m. May 14. All detailed information will be found on the website.

This year’s Homerathon will be a reading of the Homeric Hymns spanning a couple of hours to match the virtual format. As with previous years, there will be guest speakers reading passages. This year is a continuation of the scaled-down 2020 virtual Homerathon that featured selected readings from the Iliad, Oedipus Tyrannus, and Thucydides. When held in person, the Homerathon is normally a marathon reading of an entire Homeric epic. The intention of this year’s event is to continue bringing ancient texts to life for the community while continuing the momentum of the past years.

Homerathon 2021 - The Homeric Hymns

The Homerathon started as part of an Undergraduate Creative Activity and Research Experience project, which is designed to help develop job skills for students through research and leadership experiences. To create and organize the event, students worked in teams to implement original ideas and make contacts with local businesses.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please email unl.homerathon@gmail.com.