What else survives of early Greek mythology and poetry besides the Odyssey and the tragedies? In this course we will discover a selection of remarkable texts which take in all aspects of life, from dramatic and vivid creation myths to scurrilous drinking songs, and everything in between. We will read and discuss a variety of works, including Hesiod's Theogony, which tells the history of the gods, and his Works and Days which describes everyday toils. We will read some of the more informal lyric poems, focusing on Sappho, whose fragmentary works offer a tantalising glimpse of a rare surviving female voice from ancient literature. We will also explore what survives the "Epic Cycle" -- all those epic poems which are now lost -- alongside a look into some famous episodes from Homer’s rage-filled Trojan epic, the Iliad. Through these texts, and more, we will deepen our understanding of the scope of ancient Greek poetry.
Course aim
To discover, read, and discuss a selection of fascinating myths, tales, and poems from Ancient Greece.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Recall the historical context of the performance and transmission of ancient Greek poetry
- Identify common themes in ancient epic and lyric poetry
- Discuss the relevance and meaning of famous episodes from Greek mythology
- Develop skills in expressing your opinions based on the evidence in the texts.
What else do I need to know?
Extracts from the essential texts will be provided as PDFs to download, but you will also be provided with a recommended reading list if you want to read more.
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