Myth was essential for the making of Greek, identity in antiquity; by telling and retelling, under ever-changing circumstances the stories of, gods and goddesses, heroines and heroes, ancient, Greeks expressed their evolving self-understanding, to each other and the world around them. To, understand the way Greeks used myth to define, themselves, in this course we give a close reading, to selections from our sources for Greek, myth--Homer, Hesiod, Greek tragedians, historians,, and philosophers, and the Roman poet Ovid. In, addition, we examine modern theories and, contemporary popular uses of myth to determine how, myth speaks to the ancient and modern world.
- Teacher: Robert Kugler
Examination of six epic poems (in translation), from Classical antiquity: Homer's Iliad and, Odyssey, Apollonius's Argonautica,, Virgil's Aeneid, and Statius's Thebaid. Focus on the, traditional themes of the epic genre, including, the nature of heroism, the relationship between, mortals and gods, issues of peace and war, and the, conflict of individual and communal goals; how, ancient authors adapted epic conventions to suit, their own artistic goals; how these epics, reflected the values and history of contemporary, Greco-Roman civilization; and their influence in, antiquity and beyond.
- Teacher: Gordon Kelly
Introduction to ancient Roman thought and culture, as reflected in archaeology, architecture, art,, history, literature, philosophy, and religion., Special emphasis on the core values of ancient, Roman culture, and how these compare or contrast, to our own.
- Teacher: Gordon Kelly