Assassin's Creed: Odyssey meets Classics professor ... does she love it? | Won't You Be My Gamer?

About this video

• Video Title: Assassin's Creed: Odyssey meets Classics professor ... does she love it? | Won't You Be My Gamer?
• Channel: Won't You Be My Gamer?
• Speakers: Nicole, Aphrodite Angel Lollu
• Duration: 00:24:06

Overview

This video features a conversation between Nicole and Aphrodite Angel Lollu, a classics professor, about the video game Assassin's Creed Odyssey. They discuss the game's historical and mythological accuracy, touching upon figures like Socrates, Homer, and Odysseus, and their representations within the game and ancient texts. The conversation explores themes of destiny, the nature of gods, and the portrayal of historical events and characters.

Key takeaways

• Assassin's Creed Odyssey's Historical Context: The discussion places the game within the Classical period of ancient Greece (5th and 4th centuries BCE), referencing figures like Socrates and events such as the Peloponnesian War.
• Socrates' Portrayal and Philosophy: The video touches on Socrates' appearance in the game, his historical ugliness, his trial for corrupting the youth and introducing new gods, and his unique philosophical views on divinity as described by Plato.
• The Odyssey and the Iliad: The epic poems are discussed as foundational texts for Greek education and mythology, though Plato and Socrates had reservations about their depiction of the gods.
• Themes of Destiny and the Gods: The concept of fate being a force even above the gods is explored, illustrated by an example from the Iliad where Zeus submits to fate. The capricious nature of Greek gods is also highlighted.
• Odysseus' Character and Journey: The summary of Odysseus' journey in the Odyssey includes his ten-year struggle to return home, his encounters with figures like Calypso, and his choice of mortality over immortality, which is presented as a key theme.
• Historical Accuracy vs. Gameplay: The video acknowledges discrepancies between the game's setting in the Classical period and the Bronze Age events described in the Odyssey, and discusses how ancient figures might have viewed these myths.
• The Role of Women in Mythology: The portrayal of female characters like Calypso, Circe, and Helen is examined, noting how they often represent temptations or obstacles for the male heroes, and the debate surrounding Helen's agency in the Trojan War.
• The Nature of Heroism: The contrast between Achilles and Odysseus as heroes is discussed, focusing on their choices regarding mortality and fame (Kleos).