Classical Mythology

This course explores the vibrant world of Greco-Roman myth and its relationship to ancient literature, history, culture, and art. It covers some of the foundational stories of the ancient world from Hesiod's origins of the universe, the epics of Homer and the Homeric Hymns, through the myths of the Athenian stage, to the traditions of early Rome. It examines the contexts in which these stories were told in antiquity, and how they could be manipulated to suit new uses and captivate new audiences. Students will engage with literary versions and visual representations of myths; study the role of myth in history, religion, and politics; analyse Greco-Roman myths in comparison to those of other cultures; and explore the enduring popularity of this material in more recent times, both in cultural expressions and in the theoretical approaches to myth developed by modern scholars.