In this class we begin to turn from ancient Greek heroic myth as it is generally narrated to consider the relationship between stories and their historical contexts more deeply. in order to do this, we will look at two broad themes: the way that story patterns we know from myth are instrumentalized in narratives of foundational figures like Lykourgos of Sparta and Solon of Athens. Then, we will consider more generally the impact of mythical discourse on Archaic Greek concepts of ‘civilization’ and ‘justice’ by paying particular attention to the ways in which Homer uses monsters to define the ‘human’ and Hesiod uses myth to establish contested systems of justice.
Ancient Authors Discussed
Homer, Archaic Age
Hesiod, Archaic Age
Plutarch, Roman Imperial Period
Some Suggested Course Texts
Hesiod’s, Works and Days
Odyssey, book 9
Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus
Plutarch, Solon
A Few Terms
[TBD]
Links to Blogposts
Hesiod on Justice and the Corruption of Power
Modern Authors Mentioned
[TBD]
Other Articles for Additional Reading
[TBD]
Similar Myths
[TBD]
Student Links
[TBD]
Images
Classical Mythology 