Related Experiment Videos
Somatic symptoms and psychological distress in the Iliad of Homer
1Department of Mental Health, University of Bristol, UK. David.Mumford@bris.ac.uk
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|August 1, 1996
Insights
Homer
Area of Science:
- Classical Studies
- Psychology
- Linguistics
Background:
- Ancient Greek literature offers insights into historical emotional understanding.
- Homer's Iliad is a foundational text for studying early psychological concepts.
Abstract:
A systematic search was made in Homer's Iliad for somatic expressions of emotional distress and abstract psychological words for the emotions. A few somatic sensations were found, many somatic metaphors, and an extensive psychological vocabulary of emotions. Homer regarded the heart as the seat of the emotions, intellect and will. It is argued that the increasing sophistication of his 'heart' language reveals a deepening psychological understanding of the emotions in ancient Greece.