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Homeric line

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A dactylic hexameter line characteristic of Homeric epic poetry—six feet in the pattern — ∪ ∪, with the final foot a spondee or trochee; it creates the stately, rolling rhythm essential to the epic narrative tradition.

Detailed Definition
A Homeric line specifically refers to a line of dactylic hexameter as used in Homer’s epics, characterized by formulaic epithets (“rosy-fingered dawn”), ring composition, and oral-formulaic repetition; it embodies the rhythmic and mnemonic structures of ancient Greek oral tradition, designed for performance and memorization.
Example
Example in poetry:
A line from Homer: “Sing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus”; A Homeric-style opening: “Tell me, Muse, of the man of many turns”; A modern epic borrowing Homeric epithets: “the wine-dark sea, the swift-footed runner”; A line using formulaic repetition like “rosy-fingered Dawn.”
Additional Notes
A Homeric line uses formulaic phrases (“rosy-fingered Dawn”) and dactylic hexameter; it aided oral recitation—modern poets may echo its epithets for mythic tone.
Also Known As
Formulaic line Oral epic phrase Heroic utterance Mythic verse line Classical extended line Greek long line
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