Belonging in Ancient Greek Oral Tradition

Abstract

In the paper I will discuss the notion of belonging in Ancient Greek oral tradition. I will argue that oral literature, because of the specific nature of oral language, promotes belonging to a particular locus, community and culture. I will demonstrate my argument with an analysis of Homeric Hymn to Artemis 9 and its expressions of belonging to polis Smyrna. In the conclusions I will discuss how all forms of literature, even written literature, to some extent posses these oral characteristics and thus promote belonging to a particular place and culture.

Keywords

• orality
• oral poetry
• belonging
• Homeric Hymn to Artemis
• ancient Greek oral tradition