The Casket Copy!!

[smittysmitty]

Hi all,
Plutarch states ATG regarded his copy of the Illiad as a handbook of the art of war! He goes on to say that Aristotle had annotated his copy for him. What sort of annotations do you think Aristotle was qualified in, to include into ATG's copy? Surely Aristotle was no General.
Thanks to anyone that may respond.
Cheers!

[Linda]

I think it was more that Aristotle wanted Alexander to have the "correct" version. Presumably there were different versions. Linda

[smittysmitty]

hi Linda,
interesting, I never thought of it in that manner. That potentially, there were a number of versions of the Illiad, and Aristotal put together the correct version of it for him.hmmmm, I'm still under the impression all he did was to include some additional footnotes but on what?thanks for your response Linda :)cheers!

[yiannis]

My understanding is that there were indeed different versions of the Iliad, but by that time they were settled to a "final/official" version. Homer's Iliad was written in the 8th century BC but it's not clear if it's his original work or he had put together older versions (or even if he's a fictional character or not himself!).
So Aristotle must have added his remarks on various chapters of the book on the heroes behavior, on morality etc.

[deerosado]

Wow, this is an old post but I just came across it and wanted to add that I, personally, do not believe the Iliad was used as a war guide. Rather, it was a sacred text and ATG was a pupil of Aristotle. ATG himself believed he was descended from the "gods." Would love to get my hands on the casket copy!!