Ancient Greek Mythology

Fall 2017

Dates: September, 2017 – December, 2017

Instructor: Dr. Michael Holstead

Office: Boyle Hall 318

Office Hours: TBD and By appointment

Email: michael.holstead@snc.edu

Required Texts

1. Euripides. Four Plays: Medea, Hippolytus, Heracles, Bacchae. Focus Publishing, 2002.

2. Ovid. Metamorphoses. Martin, C. (trans.). W.W. Norton

& Company, 2005.

3. Trzaskoma, M. et al. Anthology of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation. Hackett Publishing, 2004.

4. Homer. Iliad of Homer. Lattimore, R. (trans.)

University of Chicago Press. 1961

5. Homer. Odyssey of Homer. Lattimore, R. (trans.)

Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2007

Other:

Additional readings will be provided in handouts and/or can be found online. We will be reading

Aeschylus’ “Prometheus Bound,” Sophocles “Oedipus Tyrranus,” and Seneca’s “Thyestes” in their

entirety. You may want to purchase these if you do not like digital files.

Course Description

Ancient myths and legends are more than just entertaining stories about gods and heroes. They serve

numerous functions in ancient society, ranging from explaining natural phenomena to justifying social

institutions and exemplifying moral codes. This course examines the major myths, legends, and tales of

Greek gods and heroes in the cultural context of Ancient Greece and Rome. Myths studied in the course

include the creation of the cosmos; the stories of the Titans, Olympians, and other deities; the exploits of

the great heroes like Heracles and Perseus, and songs of the major mythological events such as the Voyage

of the Argonauts and the Trojan War. Students read and analyze selections (in English translation) of

ancient artistic and literary representations of myth, including works by Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus,

Sophocles, Euripides, Vergil, and Ovid, in order to grasp the nature and function of myth in ancient

society. Students also study contemporary theories of mythology and examine how myths have shaped

Western culture and are represented in modern art, music, and film.

Course Learning Objectives:

Recall important ancient myths and major mythological figures

Recognize mythological figures and events in art from Ancient through Modern times

Identify the various functions of myth in ancient and modern society

Summarize significant mythological theories and apply such theories to specific myths

Justify the reasons for the differences in multiple literary or artistic sources of the same myth

Bust of Homer. Roman. 150B.C.E

Without a knowledge of mythology much

of the elegant literature of our own

language cannot be understood and

appreciated.

- Thomas Bulfinch

Assignments and Grades

Myth Theory Paper: 20%

Structuralism Project: 20%

Minor Myth Figure Presentation: 20%

Midterm Essays: 20%

Final Essays: 20%

Myth Theory Paper: You will be asked to write a short paper of approximately four to five pages in length

applying one or more theories of myth to a passage or several passages from Hesiod’s Theogony, Hesiod’s

Works and Days, or Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Further guidelines for the paper will be distributed at a later

date.

Minor Myth Figure Presentation: You will have the opportunity to be an expert on one of the numerous

minor figures in Classical mythology, and you will demonstrate your expertise through a short PowerPoint

presentation in which you will discuss the role of this figure in both ancient and modern myth/culture.

Potential figures, guidelines, and due dates will be distributed at a later date.

Structuralism Project: In the second half of the semester we will focus on the concept of “hero.” You will

be asked to select a hero (Perseus, Oedipus, Herakles, Theseus, Jason, Achilles, Odysseus, or

Agamemnon) and complete a series of charts based on the narrative patterns of four structural theorists:

Otto Rank, Lord Raglan, Joseph Campbell, and Vladimir Propp. You will then write a brief essay

discussing summarizing your findings and analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.

Essays: Two take-home essays, a midterm and a final, will serve in lieu of exams and will test you on your

knowledge of Greek mythology covered in the course of the semester.

Grade Equivalents (%)

A: 93-100

AB: 88-92

B: 83-87

BC: 78-82

C: 73-77

CD: 68—72

D: 60-67

F: Below 60

Attendance Policy

You are expected to attend each class meeting and to come a) on time; b) having read and completed the

assigned material; and c) ready to participate in class. I will do the same. You are responsible for material

covered if you are absent. No credit will be given for assignments that are handed in late; however, I will

accept and review them if you so desire

Academic Honor Code

Perseus Slaying Medusa. Greek. 490 B.C.E.

The learning process proceeds only when Students perform honestly on assignments and examinations.

All students are expected to abide by the Academic Honor code. It defines academic dishonesty and sets

forth the responsibilities of faculty and students in the event of alleged dishonesty. Possible penalties for

dishonesty include reduction of a grade, failure in the course, failure and suspension, or failure and

dismissal. Please refer to the current St. Norbert College Student Handbook for the text of the Academic

Honor Code.

Services for Students with Disabilities

In keeping with the St. Norbert College mission to help students develop their full potential, and

compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the College provides supportive services to students

with disabilities. For inquiries and further details, please visit the Academic Support Services Office

located in Todd Wehr Hall, Room 211 or contact Corey Ciesielczyk, Director of Academic Support

Services (Phone 403-3784 or email corey.ciesielczyk@snc.edu), or visit the website

www.snc.edu/academicsupport/disabilities.html.

Semester Schedule

(Nota Bene: Consult Weekly Reading Schedule for a detailed breakdown of weekly reading assignments.)

Meeting Lesson Assignments

1

(Aug. 30)

Origins and Interpretations of Myth

From Chaos to Cosmos to

Humanity

2

(Sept. 13)

Zeus and his Loves Minor Myth Theory Presentation

Selections Due Poseidon and the Sea

3

(Sept. 27)

Apollo and Hermes

Aphrodite and Artemis I

4

(Oct. 4)

Gods of War and Fire

Myth Theory Paper Due Demeter and the Eleusinian

Mysteries

5

(Oct. 11)

Hades and the Underworld

Dionysus

6

(Oct. 25)

Perseus and Myths of Argos Midterm Essays Due

Oedipus and Myths of Thebes

7

(Nov. 1)

The Greatest Hero: Heracles

Theseus and Myths of Athens

8

(Nov. 15)

Theseus and Myths of Crete

Jason and the Argonauts

9

(Nov. 29)

The House of Atreus I

The Trojan War

10

(Dec. 13)

Odysseus and the Sack of Troy Structuralism Project Due

Last Day of Presentations The House of Atreus II

Final Essays Due Friday December 15

Over the centuries we have transformed the ancient myths and folk tales and made them

into the fabric of our lives. Consciously and unconsciously we weave the narratives of myth

and folk tale into our daily existence.

- Jack Zipes

1

Ancient Greek Mythology

Weekly Reading Schedule

Nota Bene: Please have all the following Required readings completed for the date listed. Optional readings are purely optional; read

them if you want and/or if you have time.

Nota Bene Iterum: There are 10 in-class dates and each “class” period is made up of two Lessons. So please make sure to read the

Required readings for both Lesson A and Lesson B for each week.

Nota Bene Tertium: Enjoy!

Week 1 (Aug. 30)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson Ia:

Theories of

Myth

Required (Pick one of the two):

1. [HANDOUT] Harris and Platzner, Classical Mythology, (pp. 34-52)

2. [HANDOUT] Ways of Interpreting Myth

Lesson Ib:

From Chaos

to Cosmos

to Humanity

Required (Read Both):

1. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 129-167 (Hesiod, Theogony and Works & Days)

2. OVID, Metamorphoses: 1.1-606 (pp.15-33)

Optional:

3. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 17-18, 21-22 (Apollodorus, Library A1-A2)

2

Week 2 (Sept. 13)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson IIa:

Zeus and his

Loves

Required:

1. Homer, Iliad:

a. 1.493-611 (Zeus and Hera Quarrel)

b. 14.153-360 (Zeus and Hera in Love... sort of)

2. OVID, Metamorphoses:

a. 1.783-1037 (pp. 38-46: Zeus and Io; Pan and Syrinx)

b. 2.1143-3.3 (pp. 85-91: Europa)

c. 3.318-408 (pp. 100-103: Semele)

3. Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound

Minor Myth

Figure Selection

Due

Lesson IIb:

Poseidon

and the Sea

Required:

1. OVID, Metamorphoses:

a. 1.380-431 (Neptune's role in the destruction of early humanity: pp. 26-27)

b. 13.1055-14.106 (Acis and Galatea; Glaucus and Scylla: pp. 468-485)

2. Homer, Odyssey

a. 4.351-480 (Menelaus’ encounter with Proteus)

b. 5.262-493 (Odysseus finally leaves Calypso’s island for home…)

c. Book 9 (all) (Odysseus leaves Troy)

3. Theocritus Idyll 11 (http://www.stoa.org/diotima/anthology/cyclops.shtml)

Optional:

4. ANTHOLOGY, p. 207 (Homeric Hymn to Poseidon 22)

5. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 284-285 (Lucian, Dialogue of the Sea Gods 2) [humorous portrayal on Polyphemus]

3

Week 3 (Sept. 27)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson IIIa:

Apollo &

Hermes

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY pp. 178-187 (Homeric Hymn to Apollo)

2. OVID, Metamorphoses

a. 1.607-782 (Apollo and Python; Apollo and Daphne: pp. 33-38)

b. 1.1038-2.453 (Phaethon: pp. 46-64)

c. 2.740-878 (Apollo and Coronis: pp. 73-77)

d. 6.209-589 (Niobe, Lycian Peasants, Marsyas: pp. 195-206)

e. 11.118-270 (Musical contest with Pan; Judgment of Midas: pp. 372-377)

3. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 188-97 (Homeric Hymns to Hermes)

4. OVID, Metamorphoses

a. 4.372-533 (Hermaphroditus and Salmacis: pp. 134-139)

b. 2.937-1142 (Mercury and Battus and Aglauros: pp. 79-85)

Lesson IIIb:

Aphrodite &

Artemis

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 197-202 (Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite 5)

2. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 385-86 (Sappho 1 "Prayer to Aphrodite")

3. Homer, Odyssey 8.266-369 (Affair of Ares and Aphrodite)

4. OVID, Metamorphoses

a. 10.284-371(Cerastae & Propoetides; Pygmalion: pp. 349-352)

b. 10.618-857 (Venus and Adonis; Atalanta & Hippomenes: pp. 359-366)

5. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 208 (Homeric Hymn to Artemis (27))

6. OVID, Metamorphoses

a. 2.549-740 (Callisto & Arcas: pp. 67-73)

b. 3.163-317 (Actaeon: pp. 95-100)

7. EURIPIDES, Hippolytus

4

Week 4 (Oct. 4)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson IVa:

Gods of

War and

Fire

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY, p. 19 (Apollodorus, Library B4)

2. ANTHOLOGY Homeric Hymns

a. pp. 204-205 (to Athena 11)

b. p. 208 (to Athena 28)

c. p. 204 (to Ares 8)

d. p. 207 (to Hephaistos 20)

e. p. 208 (to Hestia 29)

3. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 76-80 (Callimachus Hymn 5 "Hymn to Athena")

4. OVID, Metamorphoses 6.1-208 (Minerva and Arachne)

5. Homer, Iliad

a. 5.1-518, 699-909 (Gods intervening in the Trojan War)

b. 18.369-617 (Shield of Achilles)

c. 21.298-434 (Hephaestus vs. Scamander, Athena vs. Ares)

6. [Handout] Priapus and Vesta

Myth Theory

Paper Due

Lesson IVb:

Demeter

and the

Eleusinian

Mysteries

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY, pp.169-78 (Homeric Hymn to Demeter)

2. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 80-83 (Callimachus, Hymn to Demeter)

3. OVID, Metamorphoses 5.507-871 (Rape of Proserpina, Triptolemus, etc.)

Week 5 (Oct. 11)

5

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson Va:

Hades and

the

Underworld

Required:

1. Homer, Odyssey 11

2. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 421-430 (Vergil, Aeneid: Aeneas' descent into the Underworld)

3. OVID, Metamorphoses 10.1-122 (pp. 341-344) and 11.1-94 (pp. 369-371): Orpheus & Eurydice

Lesson Vb:

Dionysos

Required:

1. OVID, Metamorphoses 3.318-557 (pp. 103-111: Birth of Dionysus, Tiresias, Echo, and Narcissus)

2. EURIPIDES, Bacchae

Optional:

4. OVID, Metamorphoses 3.558-940 (pp. 111-119: Dionysius' destruction of Pentheus)

6

Week 6 (Oct. 25)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson VIa :

Perseus and

the Myths of

Argos

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 31-33: Apollodorus

2. OVID Metamorphoses 4.828-5.361

3. HOMER, Iliad, 6.144-211: Bellerophon

Midterm Essay

Due Lesson VIb:

Oedipus and

the Myths of

Thebes

(VI)

Required:

1. OVID Metamorphoses 3.1-162 (Cadmus founds Thebes)

2. ANTHOLOGY, p. 52 (Apollodorus, Library, Tiresias)

3. Sophocles, Oedipus the King

Optional:

4. ANTHOLOGY, pp.46-53: Cadmus, Lauis, and Thebes; pp. 352-353: Pausanias (Did Oidipous have

Children by his Mother?)

7

Week 7 (Nov.1)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson

VIIa:

The

Greatest

Hero:

Herakles

Required:

1. [HANDOUT] Theocritus, Idyll 24 (Infant Heracles & the Serpents)

2. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 33-45: Apollodorus (K1-K21)

3. [HANDOUT] Apollonius of Rhodes, Argonautica 1.1187-1362 (Heracles and Hylas)

4. OVID Metamorphoses 9.1-406

Optional:

5. EURIPIDES, Heracles

Lesson:

VIIb:

Theseus and

the Myths of

Athens

(VII)

Required:

1. [Handout] Apollodorus Library 3.14.1-E.1.19

2. ANTHOLOGY pp. 94-95: Diodorus of Sicily (Amazons)

3. OVID Metamorphoses

a. 6.590-1038 (pp. 206-220: Tereus, Procne, and Philomela; Erechtheus, Boreas, and Orithyia)

b. 7.575-1237 (pp. 240-260: Theseus)

8

Week 8 (Nov. 15)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson

VIIIa:

Theseus and

the Myths of

Crete

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 45-46: Apollodorus L1-L2 (Europa and her Cretan Children, Minos)

2. OVID Metamorphoses 8.1-1021 (pp. 263-293)

3. Catullus 64.1-277 (suggested: all) (http://www.stoa.org/diotima/anthology/cat64.shtml)

Lesson

VIIIb:

Jason and

the

Argonauts

Required:

1. Apollonius, Argonautica

a. 1.601-914 (pp. 58-66: Lemnian Women)

b. 2.155-300 (pp. 83-87: Phineus & the Harpies)

c. 3.1-166 (pp. 113-117: Hera's Plot)

d. 3.276-471 (pp. 120-125: Medea)

e. 3.616-825 (pp. 129-134: More Medea)

f. 3.1191-1407 (pp. 144-150: Jason's Trials in Aea)

g. 4.1627-1781 (pp. 194-198: Talos & Return to Ioclus)

2. EURIPIDES, Medea

Optional

3. OVID Metamorphoses 7.1-648 (Jason & Medea)

9

Week 9 (Nov. 29)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson IXa:

House of

Atreus I

Required:

1. Seneca, Thyestes

Lesson IXb:

The Trojan

War

Required:

1. Homer, Iliad http://digital.library.northwestern.edu/homer/html/application.html

a. Book 1 (Wrath of Achilles)

b. Book 6 (Hector in Troy)

c. Book 22 (Hector and Achilles)

d. Book 24 (Ransom of Hector)

2. ANTHOLOGY, pp. 378-382 (Proclus)

Optional:

3. Homer, Iliad (Any/all of the rest of the poem)

10

Week 10 (Dec. 13)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson Xa:

The Sack of

Troy &

Odysseus'

Return

Required:

1. ANTHOLOGY pp. 410-420 (Vergil Aeneid 2.1-558: Aeneas recounts the destruction of Troy)

2. Homer Odyssey

a. Book 10 (The adventures of Odysseus after he leaves Polyphemus)

b. Book 12.150-471 (Odysseus’ adventures continued)

c. Book 21 (Odysseus and the bow)

d. Book 23 (Reunion of Penelope & Odysseus)

Structuralism

Project Due

Lessn Xb:

House of

Atreus II

Required:

[HANDOUT] Morford, Classical Mythology, (pp. 408-434)

Finals Week Final Essay Due Dec. 15

11

Post Semester (Optional, Obviously.)

Topic Readings Assignment

Lesson XI:

Myths of

Rome

1. Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.87-227 (Pyramus and Thisbe)

2. Vergil’s Aeneid Book 4 (Dido & Aeneas in Carthage) (http://www.theoi.com/Text/VirgilAeneid4.html)

3. [HANDOUT] Outline of Aeneid

4. Ovid, Metamorphoses

a. 14.1123-1243 (Romulus and Remus)

b. 15.920-1112 (Apotheosis of Julius Caesar)

5. [HANDOUT] Morford, Classical Mythology, (pp. 623-663)

You may have noticed that we have almost read the entirety of Ovid’s Metamorphoses. This is true. If you are the type

that likes to have completion, here are the following sections of Ovid that did not get mentioned in the Required or

Optional readings:

Book 2: 454-548, 879-936

Book 4: 1-86, 228-371, 534-827

Book 5: 362-506

Book 8: 1022-1247

Book 9: 407-1147

Book 10: 123-283, 372-617

Book 11: 95-117, 271-1142

Book 12: all

Book 13: 1-1054

Book 14: 107-1122

Book 15: 1-919