A priceless 1,700-year-old manuscript of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, made an extraordinary journey from Manchester to New York, allowing the stars of Christopher Nolan's upcoming cinematic adaptation to connect with the ancient text. Librarians from the John Rylands Library described the intricate operation to transport the fragile fragments as akin to a scene from 'Mission Impossible', highlighting the immense responsibility of moving such a globally significant artefact.
Professor Christopher Pressler, who accompanied the ancient text, revealed that the experience of carrying the bespoke case through JFK airport felt like a clandestine mission, with only a select few aware of its precious contents. He recounted 'mind-blowing moments' for the cast and crew, particularly for Nolan, who was reportedly 'very moved' by the opportunity to hold the water-damaged parchment fragments. The fragments, believed to have been penned by an Egyptian scribe and his teacher, represent the oldest surviving version of The Odyssey arranged in a book format.
Nolan's highly anticipated film, a retelling of the classical Greek epic, boasts a stellar cast. Matt Damon takes on the role of the hero Odysseus, with Tom Holland portraying his son, Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as his wife, Penelope. Robert Pattinson appears as Antinous, one of Penelope's suitors, while Lupita Nyong'o plays the dual roles of Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra. Dr Jeremy Penner, the library's curator of African and Near Eastern Manuscripts, noted the cast's excitement, with Holland showing particular interest in the artefact and the actors eager to identify their characters' names within the ancient script.
The Odyssey, attributed to the poet Homer and thought to have been composed between 850 and 750 BC, recounts the arduous journey of Odysseus as he strives to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. This 24-book poem is a cornerstone of Western literature, having been translated into English over 100 times since its first English rendition by playwright George Chapman in the early 17th century. While older versions of the story exist on clay tablets, the Manchester Odyssey is unique as the earliest known example of the epic in codex, or book, form.
The Manchester Odyssey, described by Dr Penner as 'exceptionally rare', provides a tangible link to ancient storytelling. The codex format, where parchment sheets were folded and bound, represented a significant technological leap in its time, making long texts like The Odyssey more accessible to readers. The library’s collection includes a substantial portion of the narrative, including Odysseus's eventual return to Ithaca, offering an invaluable insight into the enduring power and influence of this timeless tale.