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Stentor

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In Greek mythology, Stentor (Ancient Greek: Στέντωρ; gen.: Στέντορος) was a herald of the Greek forces during the Trojan War.

Mythology

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Stentor is mentioned briefly in Homer's Iliad in which Hera, in the guise of Stentor, whose "voice was as powerful as fifty voices of other men",[1] encourages the Greeks to fight.

Elsewhere, Stentor is said to have died after losing a shouting contest with Hermes.[2]

Stentor's story is the origin of the term "stentorian", meaning loud-voiced, for which he was famous. Aristotle uses the concept in his Politics Book 7, Chapter IV saying, "For who can be the general of such a vast multitude, or who the herald, unless he have the voice of a Stentor?"

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Homer, Iliad 5.785-6
  2. ^ Scholia on Iliad 5.785; Eustathius on Homer, Iliad 607.29

Bibliography

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  • Homer, Iliad with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, Ph.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, 1924. ISBN 978-0674995796. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
  • Homer, Homeri Opera in five volumes. Oxford, Oxford University Press. 1920. ISBN 978-0198145318. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.