Ancient Greek texts in modern times: The poetry and prose of pagan Greek antiquity continue to inspire numerous people today, both within the contemporary pagan community and far beyond it. Yet we are dealing here with texts from an ancient culture whose religious and social climate was very different from what we are used to in the modern west. How are we to approach these texts so as to learn the enduring lessons that they have to teach us while respecting the specific and unfamiliar context from which they emerged? This is a difficult and fascinating question. This course will help to clarify some of the issues involved in trying to find an answer. We will look at one specific text in each of the four classes.
Instructor: Professor Robin Douglas, Ph.D.
Zoom class meetings: Saturdays, Noon ET, Feb 7, 21, 28 and Mar 7
If this is your first time taking a class, go here for a one-time signup. The one time fee is $20.
Tuition for all Insights courses are $85 for the four-week course unless otherwise noted. Payment is due no later than two weeks before start date.
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Required Texts:
1. Hesiod, Theogony – Online at <https://chs.harvard.edu/primary-source/hesiod-theogony-sb/>
2. Homeric Hymn to Demeter – Online at <https://chs.harvard.edu/primary-source/homeric-hymn-to-demeter-sb/>
3. The “Mithras Liturgy” – Online at <https://www.academia.edu/127564457/The_Mithras_Liturgy_PGM_IV_475_820_A_new_translation>
4. The Orphic Hymns – It is not necessary to read all 87 hymns. There is a widely used English translation which was composed by Thomas Taylor in the 18th century and may be found in various places online. Some people like it; some people don’t. Alternative translations of a selection of the hymns may be found towards the bottom of this page: <https://www.hellenicgods.org/orphic-hymns—orphikoi-hymnoi>