CLA 010 Greek, Roman, & Near Eastern Mythology

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

This course introduces the principal stories, characters, and contexts of myths of the ancient Mediterranean world. We will examine stories of origins, reflect on the powers of the gods, consider ancient perspectives on mortality, and explore legends of heroes and heroines. The study of ancient myths is an inquiry into how and why the world came into being, of the challenges inherent in life, and of the beauty, peril, challenges and opportunities in living. Three exams and a final.