The Homeric Project, as instigated and designed by Dr. Gary Stickel, was intended to have multiple objectives. Since Dr. Stickel is an archaeologist with a continuing interest in ancient Greece, part of the Homeric Project has involved archaeological field work in Greece with an investigation entitled, The Search for Odysseus' Palace Project (SFOPP).
Another part of the Homeric Project has been involved with research into the texts of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. While investigating the text, Dr. Stickel observed that Homer had a pattern of his use of numbers in his epic poems. The following article is Dr. Stickel's original copywrighted research paper, wherein he presents those patterns and attempts to explain their meaning. In effect, Dr. Stickel has discovered a "Di Vinci Code"-like system that was apparently imbedded in Homer's epics. Following the presentation of the paper is a letter by Prof. Ralph Rowlett of the University of Missouri on the significance of Dr. Stickel's discoveries, in which he states, "In my opinion, you (Dr. Stickel) have made a major discovery in Classical studies."
Prof. Ralph Rowlett's review of the research paper:
Dr. Chris Kacher's review of the research paper:
As a former nuclear physicist who helped to confirm the discovery of element 106 on the Periodic Table of Elements which we named Seaborgium after my PhD thesis advisor Nobel Laureate Glenn Seaborg, it is de rigueur to use statistical analysis in research work.
While a range of numbers may coincidentally be used in various works of literature, the number "12" occurs with great frequency in Homer's narratives The Iliad and The Odyssey, certainly well above any statistical average.
Cultural norms could influence any writer's work. It seems the number "12" was clearly an important number in ancient Greece. This number found its way into Homer's works. Whether this was osmotic or intentional, it seems clear the number "12" is a stand out. It may help to explain the hexameter verse Homer used, a particularly unusual choice. That said, one could argue such a format helped elevate the work to the highest of literary peaks, much as Shakespeare's beyond creative use of semantics in blank verse turned his works into masterpieces.
Dr. Chris Kacher
