Classical Mythology

The creatures of Classical myth have fired the imagination and inspired artists and creators of every sort from the ancient world up to the very modern day. Indeed, Classical mythology is very often what draws people to the Greek and Roman worlds in the first place. The aim of this course is to bring together what previous knowledge students may already have and re-explore it through Classical works and how the Greeks and Romans themselves approached the supernatural and the divine. Prior knowledge is not, however, a requirement.

All 6 sessions (2hrs each) will be held online. Kindly check the table below for specific dates of lessons. All lessons will be running from 6pm till 8pm on the indicated days.

The course fee is €120 (€100 for registered MCA members) payable via ban transfer, Revolut, PayPal or BOV Mobile. To register for the course or to ask for more information, kindly fill in the registration form below. Registrations close on Friday 28th June.

Classical Mythology Summer 2024 – Registration

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us on [email protected]

4th July - Introduction to Myth	In this first lesson students we will explore some basic questions that will inform out understanding of myth, such as 'what does it mean to be a god, a hero or an antagonist?" We will then introduce the gods, most prominent heroes, villains and creatures of classical myth. Lastly we will situate these characters within the mythological hierarchy and trace the nature-to-humanistic evolution of the gods.
18th July - Mythology and Literature	This lecture is devoted to tracing the transfer of mythological stories, starting first with the emergence of myth as oral tradition, passing on to its transition into written myth, and culminating in its expansion in the hands of playwrights and poets.
25th July - Mythology and Ancient Culture	It is easy to forget that mythology was not merely a collection of fiction for people in the Classical period, but that it underpinned their religious beliefs and the way they thought about the world around them. This lecture will look at the main religious festivals, especially in Athens and other prominent city-states, smaller cults and worship, and personal or home religious practices
1st August - Mythology and Philosophy	When we think of Zeus and the other gods, we very rarely think of the stern bearded philosophers at the same time. This lecture aims to challenge this by exploring how direct mentions of mythological instances and figures in ancient philosophical texts and the purpose of these mentions, the different philosophers’ views on mythology, and how different philosophers used mythology to push their ideas.
8th August - Mythology, Nature and the Psyche	Delving further into the theoretical, this lecture will explore myths and figures that reflect and explain natural phenomena, myths that reveal aspects of human psychology, and how early modern psychology sought to interpret mythology as a reflection of the human mind.
22nd August - Reception of Mythology Across the Ages	Lastly, we will recognise Classical myth as a living and breathing source of inspiration down the ages and to our present day by looking at the use and adaptation of classical myth in traditional art and sculpture, fashion, film, novels and even video games!