CECL 0905 - Greek Mythology Through Ancient Masterpieces

Institution:

Brown University

Subject:

Description:

In this course, we will encounter and explore the classical myths as the ancient Greeks (and Romans) themselves encountered and engaged them: through the acclaimed masterworks of their culture’s literature (primarily), architecture, and art. Handbooks of mythology, such as the so-called Bibliotheke (“Library”) attributed to Apollodorus, were a relatively late phenomenon and were neither a natural nor common (nor, in most instances, an appealing) source of myths for the ancients themselves. Rather, it was through the vivid presentations of mythological events in epic, lyric, and dramatic poetry that the characters and stories truly came to life – characters and stories that continue to play a vital role in the literature and art of the Western tradition to this day. Alongside the literature, artistic renderings through painting and sculpture, and especially the elaborate programs of decoration created to enhance the great temples of the gods, such as those for Zeus at Olympia and, more famously, for Athena Parthenos at Athens (the “Parthenon”), took as their subjects both myths centering around the patron gods and myths of special significance to the city-states themselves.

Credits:

0.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.brown.edu

Phone Number:

(401) 863-1000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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