CL1002 Greek and Roman Mythology and Religion

CL1002 Greek and Roman Mythology and Religion
What is myth? How do myths deal with fundamental human concerns about who we
are and the world we live in? What is the relationship between myth and religion?
Why did the Greeks and Romans worship many gods, believe in oracles, or perform
animal sacrifice? This course is an introduction to the major myths and religions of
the classical world using the full range of primary source material: literary, artistic
and archaeological. It explores the functions of myth within society and the various
theories of myth. The first half of the course will focus on themes such as the creation
myths in the wider context of Near Eastern mythology, the character of the Olympian
gods, heroes and their monstrous opponents, divine-human relations, and the major
mythic cycles of the Trojan war, and the Atreus and Theban sagas. The second half of
the course will explore the nature of Greek and Roman religion in its social context. It
considers key elements of ritual action: sacrifice, rites of passage, festivals, as well as
the diverse ancient beliefs on death and the afterlife and the role of mystery religions.
Learning Outcomes:
• To become familiar with the main characters, stories and themes of classical myths
• To be able to discuss the major theories of myth in relation to the classical material
• To build up a basic knowledge of the central religious beliefs and practices of the
Greeks and Romans in their historical and cultural context
• To acquire a knowledge of the primary sources for the study of myth and religion
• To learn to use the different sources critically and to understand what kinds of
questions and interpretations the evidence can support
• To understand mythic ideas and religions on their own terms, and to avoid imposing
our own beliefs and values on other cultures
Note that there will be an assessment test in place of the first class in Hilary term.
Schedule for Hilary and Trinity terms to be announced.
Requirements
ATTENDANCE at ALL lectures is required.
There is one lecture a week all year on Tuesdays at 12 noon.
An attendance sheet is passed round in each lecture and it is your responsibility to
make sure that you sign it.
COURSE ASSESSMENT AND EXAMINATION
Examination: there is a three hour exam paper at the end of the year, which will
comprise 80% of your final mark.
Assessed assignments: there are two assessed assignments during the year, one
each in Michaelmas and Hilary terms. The marks from these tests count for 20% of
your final mark.
Assignment 1: A one hour assessment test in place of the first lecture of Hilary
term, This will test your knowledge of material covered in Michaelmas term (lectures
1-9).
The test will comprise:
1) three images chosen from six. You must identify and comment on the mythical
themes depicted.
2) one essay chosen from a list of three.
Assignment 2: The second assignment is an essay. Details of topics will be
circulated in Hilary term.
This bibliography gives you the details of the recommended texts for the course, as well as some other suggestions for reading. Bibliographies on specific topics will also be given in class. Remember that it is essential that you do your own reading to build on the content of the lectures. MYTHOLOGY *** Essential text for this part of the course: Mark P.O. Morford & Robert J. Lenardon, Classical Mythology. (6th edition, 1999; 7th edition: Oxford University Press 2003) Other Handbooks/Surveys: R.G.A. Buxton, The Complete World of Greek Mythology, London 2004 S. Harris and S. Platzner, Classical Myth: Images and Insights, Mountain View, California 1998. H.J. Rose, A Handbook of Greek Mythology. (London 1958; 6th edition ). M. Grant, Myths of the Greeks and Romans. (London 1962). R. Graves, The Greek Myths.2 vols. (Penguin 1955).(useful for variants of myths, but beware -­‐ it is highly unreliable in matters of interpretation!) W.K.C. Guthrie. The Greeks and their Gods. (London 1950) C. Kerenyi, The Gods of the Greeks (London 1951); The Heroes of the Greeks (London 1959) Theories of myth/interpretation: W. Burkert, Structure and History in Greek Mythology and Ritual. (Berkeley 1979). K. Dowden, The uses of Greek mythology (London 1992). L. Edmunds (ed.), Approaches to Greek Myth (London 1990). R.L. Gordon (ed.), Myth, Religion and Society (Cambridge 1981). G.S. Kirk, The Nature of Greek Myths (Penguin 1974) J.-­‐P. Vernant, Myth and Society in Ancient Greece (London 1979) Comparative mythology: G.S. Kirk, Myth: Its Meaning and Function in Ancient Greece and Other Cultures. (Cambridge 1970). S. Dalley, Myths from Mesopotamia. (Oxford 1991). J. Puhvel, Comparative Mythology. (Baltimore 1987). Myth in art: ** H.A. Shapiro, Myth into Art. Poet and Painter in Classical Greece. (London 1994). [excellent treatment of selected myths] T. H. Carpenter, Art and Myth in Ancient Greece. (London 1991). K. Schefold, Myth and Legend in Early Greek Art (London 1966). GREEK RELIGION *** Essential text for this part of the course: Louise Bruit Zaidman & Pauline Schmitt Pantel, Religion in the Ancient Greek City. (Translated by P. Cartledge). (Cambridge. 1992). General surveys: J. Bremmer, Greek Religion (1994) W. Burkert, Greek Religion. (Oxford 1985). E.R. Dodds,The Greeks and the Irrational. (Berkeley 1951) P.E. Easterling & J.V. Muir (eds.), Greek Religion and Society. (Cambridge 1985) R. Parker, "Greek religion", in J. Boardman et al (eds), The Oxford History of the Classical World (Oxford 1986) 254-­‐74 [useful brief survey] J.-­‐P. Vernant, Mortals and Immortals. Collected Essays of J.-­P. Vernant (ed. F.I. Zeitlin). (Princeton. 1991). Rites of passage: from birth to death R. Garland, The Greek Way of Life. (London 1990). R. Garland, The Greek Way of Death. (London 1985). E. Vermeule, Aspects of Death in Early Greek Art and Poetry. (Berkeley. 1979) Oracles: H.W. Parke, Greek Oracles. (London 1967) S, Price ""Delphi and divination" in P.E. Easterling and J.V. Muir (eds.), Greek Religion and Society. (Cambridge 1985) 128-­‐154. ROMAN MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION J.F. Gardner, Roman Myths (London, British Museum 1993) K. Dowden,Religion and the Romans. (Bristol 1992) M. Beard and J.A. North (eds), Pagan Priests. (London 1990) esp ch. 1 and 2. M. Beard, J. North and S, Price, Religions of Rome. Vols 1-­‐2. (1998)