Vail’s Shield of Achilles Featured in Catholic Faith & Culture Video Course

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019Kathleen_Vail 5 Comments

Vail's Shield of Achilles featured in University of Dallas Catholic Studies Video Course

Can you imagine my incredible surprise to discover a Catholic University interested in endorsing my reconstruction of Achilles' spectacular shield?! It was - and still is - indescribably delightful!! The University of Dallas Catholic Faith & Culture Program offers a higher level study of faith through video courses and it's a great honor for my reconstruction of the Shield of Achilles to be included in such a thoughtful and enlightening program....Continue Reading

Guest Post: Achilles’ Shield Portrays an Ancient Greek View of Reality, by James R. Harrington

March 29, 2019Kathleen_Vail 7 Comments

Achilles Receiving New Armor From Thetis, Wall Mural by Carl Adolf Henning, ca. 1838-1856. Source: CC0 via Wikimedia Commons

Does Homer's legendary Shield of Achilles depict reality in Ancient Greece? In this guest post by James R. Harrington, the question is turned on its head. Are we questioning Homer's veracity, or are we asking something deeper? ...Continue Reading

My Book, Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles, is Now Published!

October 1, 2018October 2, 2018Kathleen_Vail 15 Comments

Finally, my dream has come true and my book, Reconstructing the Shield of Achilles, is now published and available on Amazon.com! ...Continue Reading

Guest Post: Achilles’ Shield and Schiller’s Philosophy of Aesthetics, by Corry Shores

September 14, 2018September 22, 2018Kathleen_Vail 8 Comments

Friedrich Schiller - German Postage Stamp via Wikimedia Commons

Combining Friedrich Schiller's philosophical view of aesthetics with a full gallery of images, Corry Shores of Pirates & Revolutionaries offers a deeper appreciation for the many interpretations of Achilles' legendary shield. ...Continue Reading

Thetis Delivering Achilles’ Shield in Art Through the Ages

August 14, 2018August 25, 2018Kathleen_Vail 13 Comments

The epic voyage of Thetis delivering Achilles' shield and spectacular new armor spans nearly 2,600 years of art history, adorning objects as diverse as ancient Greek vases, magnificent gold jewelry, bronze chariots and...Continue reading

Reviewing Homer’s Iliad: The Shield of Memory by Dr. Ken Atchity

April 3, 2018April 3, 2018Kathleen_Vail 9 Comments

Painting of "Homer Among the Greeks" by Gustav Jäger. The following image is of a mural at the Weimar Castle in Germany, which was completed in 1808 by painter, Gustav Jäger entitled, "Homer Among the Greeks" Source: Hadrian6 via 300SpartanWarriors

In Homer's Iliad: The Shield of Memory, Dr. Kenneth Atchity follows Homer's footsteps through the Iliad like a lover intent on winning his heart and mind. What's more, Atchity invites us to a beautiful symposium, discussing his journey clearly and compellingly, enticing us with amazing glimpses into the ingenious mind and motives of Homer...Continue reading

Hephaestus Forging the Shield of Achilles in Art Through the Ages

February 16, 2018February 16, 2018Kathleen_Vail 6 Comments

Did the fabulous Shield of Achilles ever exist? Commanding a presence for something like 3,000 years so far, the existential reality of Achilles' armor in art throughout the ages leaves little wiggle room for those who discredit Homer's account of Achilles' Shield...Continue reading

Guest Post: Analyzing Military Tactics in the Iliad by Manousos Kambouris for KORYVANTES

June 6, 2017June 16, 2017Kathleen_Vail 5 Comments

With a clear love for the topic, Dr. Manousos Kambouris takes Homer's Iliad at face value and expertly analyzes military tactics in the Trojan War for potential historicity as well as practical realities. ...Continue Reading

A Bronze Chariot To Die For, ca. 560 BCE

May 20, 2017May 20, 2017Kathleen_Vail 12 Comments

The Monteleone Chariot, an Etruscan chariot dating to ca. 560 BCE, depicting Thetis presenting the new armor to Achilles. Source: Wikimedia Commons

At first sight, the ramshackle pile of corroding bronze was unimpressive to its discoverer. Today, however, the spectacularly restored Etruscan bronze chariot from the 6th century BCE ranks among the premier archaeological finds in the world. Depicting scenes from Achilles' life, the chariot proudly displays Thetis presenting the divine armor created by Hephaistos, with a stunning Shield of Achilles occupying the center stage. ...Continue Reading

Tragedy, Katharsis, & The Theater of War

April 17, 2017June 16, 2017Kathleen_Vail 2 Comments

Through the highly acclaimed performances of dramatic readings from Ajax, Sophocles' ancient Greek tragedy, Doerries' Theater of War explores the battle scars of warriors, offering audiences katharsis (Latinized to catharsis), a timeless and timely form of emotional healing. ...Continue Reading