Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
No, they weren't. The works ascribed to the traditional poets like Homer and Hesiod weren't written down at all. They were oral works performed from memory by professional performers called "rhapsodes", who accompanied themselves with a musical instrument such as a lyre (a small harp). Although the basic story was fixed, each rhapsode would improvise and modify the story "on the fly" during their performance. Rhapsodes were the "rock stars" of their day, and large prizes were awarded to the winners of rhapsodic competitions in all the Ancient Greek city-states. It wasn't until much, much later in history - centuries after the initial composition of these works - that they were written down and thus became fixed in form.
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You're taking my words too literally Harry. I meant that they were meant to be spoken. I grant you that they weren't written down til long after they were first written/composed etc. Even in the middle ages I understand there were traveling storytellers that would entertain others as many still even then couldn't read, and books were too expensive for most people to acquire even if they had known how to read. The wealthy had characters like King Arthur and the poor had Robin Hood and both hero's adventures were first told via being passed on by word of mouth. They were two of the big action stars of the day much like we today go to see the newest Swartzenegger or Stallone movie.