ABSTRACT

World literatures are full of patterns for life. Ancient Greek literature too is resplendent with these paradigms, which inform us on the people and their society. The heroes of ancient Greek epic and tragedy are admired for their courage, sense of honour, canniness, even, at times, for the deviousness; they were leaders of their people and they sought to serve.

This lecture, employing the ring composition, uses Greek literary writers: Homer, Sophocles and Plutarch as touch stones to evaluate aspects of life in contemporary Nigeria. It compares the quality of leaders in Homer and Sophocles and in Nigeria and finds the latter wanting – they are not like Achilles, not even like Sophocles’ Odysseus, who, at least, has the interest of the army at heart. Plutarch’s “Listening to Lectures” offers morals for students, teachers and the general public.

The lecture concludes that ancient Greek literature presents us with the need to contemplate the realities of our modern Nigeria in order for us to make a choice between war and peace; honour and dishonor, service and disservice.

Finally, the lecture demonstrates and re-affirms the universal concept that human lives are inter-connected and ancient and contemporary ideologies should bridge gaps between the seen and unseen experiences of life.

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