Greek Mythology
Myth is a complex cultural phenomenon that can be approached from a number of viewpoints. In general, myth is a narrative that describes and portrays in symbolic language the origin of the basic elements and assumptions of a culture. Mythic narrative relates, for example, how the world began, how humans and animals were created, and how certain customs, gestures, or forms of human activities originated. Because of the all-encompassing nature of myth, however, it can illuminate many aspects of individual and cultural life.
The course applies to
✓ Tourist Guides,
✓Museum Workers,
✓Archaeologists,
✓Teachers,
✓Researchers of Classics
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Introduction. Science versus mythology,
- Culture of Greece. Origins of Greek civilization and Society,
- Myths. Origins and development,
- Interpretative school sand mythological cycles,
- Principal gods. Genealogy and Powers,
- Mythological monsters (Gorgons, Sirens, Centaurs, Furies),
- The heroes (Ηercules, Theseus),
- The myths in performance: Ancient Greek Theater,
- The political use and abuse of myths (Pisistratus and the justification of tyranny),
- Functions of Greek mythology,
- The Trojan War,
- The legacy of Greek Mythology.
ASSESSMENT
- Attendance (20 %),
- Mid-term examination / presentation of a topic in class (20%),
- One 3000-word written essay (20%),
- Final examination (written) (40%).
READING LIST
- W. K. G. Guthrie, The Greeks and their gods, 1950,
- P. E. Easterling & J. V. Muir (edd.), Greek Religion and Society, C.U.P. 1985,
- Richard Buxton, Imaginary Greece, C.U.P. 1994,
- Gods and Heroes of the Greeks. The library of Apollodorus, translated with an introduction and notes by Michael Simpson, UMP 1976,
- R. Hard, Apollodorus, the Library of Greek Mythology, OUP, 1997,
- P. Vellacott, Medea and Other Plays, Penguin Classics, 1963,
- D. Grene & R. Lattimore, Sophocles I: Three Tragedies: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, University of Chicago Press.
Spyros Syropoulos
Professor of Ancient Greek Literature
Department of Mediterranean Studies, University of the Aegean
– Director of the MA Course “Ancient Greek Theatre: Educational and Philological Approaches”
– General Secretary of Greek Rectors’ Council in the European University Association
Leoforos Dimokratias 1
85 100 Rhodes – Greece
Tel. +302241099338
http://aegean.academia.edu/SpyrosSyropoulos
http://www.mediterraneanstudies.gr/tms/academicstaff/siropoulos-spiros.php
Editor of ELECTRYONE: http://www.electryone.gr
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