In this class we turn from the interaction between myth and religious belief to intellectual and philosophical responses and adaptations. We spent some time discussing the so-called “rationalizing revolution” in Archaic Greece and the subsequent tradition of philosophers criticizing and appropriating myth. After looking at the use of myth in Plato, we will turn to Hellenistic receptions.
Ancient Authors Discussed
Homer, Archaic Age
Pherecydes, Early Classical Period
Plato, Classical Period
Aristotle, Classical period
Palaephatus, Hellenistic Period
Euhemerus, Hellenistic Period
Callimachus,Hellenistic Period
Theocritus, Hellenistic Period
Apollonius Rhodes, Hellenistic Period
Vergil, Roman Republican Period
Ovid, Roman Imperial Period
Some Suggested Course Texts
Ovid, Metamorphoses 1: Pythagoras
Ovid, Metamorphoses 10: Pygmalion
Ovid, Met. 6: Tereus and Philomela
Ovid, Met. 10: Myrrha and Cinyras
Ovid Met. 10: Adonis
Plato Republic, On the Iliad 378-390
F. M. Cornford. Before and After Socrates. Cambridge
Terms
Euhemerism
Links to Blogposts
Some Philosophies from the Ancient World
Strabo on Children and Storytelling
Other Articles for Additional Reading
[TBD]
Similar Myths
[TBD]
Student Links
The Death of Socrates:
Images
Classical Mythology 