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Science and Technology in Homeric EpicsVortices in Homer's Odyssey — A Scientific Approach

Science and Technology in Homeric Epics: Vortices in Homer's Odyssey — A Scientific Approach [The traditional approach to study Homeric epics is philological and philosophical in nature. This paper takes a forensic route to mythology elaborating on some of the accounts via the use of contemporary scientific knowledge. In particular, it will deal with the oldest clear report of two vortices found in Odyssey. First, it will examine the tidal whirlpool Charybdis [Book XII]. Based on a recent mathematical analysis of the phenomenon, we will further validate some of the exceedingly skillful navigational abilities of the ancient Greek sailors. Second, it will consider the river cisterns in the island of Phaeacians [Book VI] where princess Nausicaa and her ladies-in-waiting use the vortex action to wash clothes. The presently experimental and theoretical knowledge on cavity hydrodynamics provides a lucid picture of the four-dimensional structure of the flow, thus identifying the cause and details behind the efficacy of the method.] http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

Science and Technology in Homeric EpicsVortices in Homer's Odyssey — A Scientific Approach

Part of the History of Mechanism and Machine Science Book Series (volume 6)
Editors: Paipetis, S. A.
Vatistas, Georgios H.
Science and Technology in Homeric Epics — Jan 1, 2008
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References (6)

Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Copyright
© Springer Netherlands 2008
ISBN
978-1-4020-8783-7
Pages
67 –75
DOI
10.1007/978-1-4020-8784-4_4
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

[The traditional approach to study Homeric epics is philological and philosophical in nature. This paper takes a forensic route to mythology elaborating on some of the accounts via the use of contemporary scientific knowledge. In particular, it will deal with the oldest clear report of two vortices found in Odyssey. First, it will examine the tidal whirlpool Charybdis [Book XII]. Based on a recent mathematical analysis of the phenomenon, we will further validate some of the exceedingly skillful navigational abilities of the ancient Greek sailors. Second, it will consider the river cisterns in the island of Phaeacians [Book VI] where princess Nausicaa and her ladies-in-waiting use the vortex action to wash clothes. The presently experimental and theoretical knowledge on cavity hydrodynamics provides a lucid picture of the four-dimensional structure of the flow, thus identifying the cause and details behind the efficacy of the method.]

Published: Jan 1, 2008

Keywords: Strong Vortex; Centrifugal Instability; Vortex Action; Liquid Vortex; Free Surface Force

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