The Odyssey shares with us more than just some warrior's long journey home. Here is a snippet of the technological means of survival also contained in Homer's epic:
Book V, lines 488-491:
"Just as a man will hide a brand beneath
dark ashes on a lonely farm - to keep
the seed of flame alive and not have need
to trudge far off for fire to feed his heart - "
This extended simile (similes can be much, much more than simply "running as fast as a cheetah") details a proven method for preserving the heat necessary to rekindle a fire. In a world where gas and electric stoves and ovens are not currently available, this information just might prove itself vital for survival. It is not a coincidence that such information is contained within Homer's poem. This information pertains to today, too - ever been camping?
Mr. Matluck
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