CLA 010 Greek, Roman, & Near Eastern Mythology

Examination of major myths of Greece, Rome, and the Ancient Near East; their place in the religion, literature and art of the societies that produced them; their subsequent development, influence and interpretation.

The myths of the ancient Mediterranean, full of gods and monsters, adventure and intrigue, heroism and betrayal, captivate our imaginations and still hold the power to draw us into their odd and mysterious world.  This course will offer an introduction to some of the most famous stories of classical myth: the exploits of Zeus and the Olympians; the adventures of Heracles; the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts; the Trojan War and its great heroes, Achilles, Odysseus, and Agamemnon; and the terrible fate of Oedipus.  Our goal will be not simply to recount these marvelous narratives, but to explore the reasons why the ancient Greeks and Romans told these stories and why we continue to tell them today.  No textbook is required. There will be two midterms and a final.