CLASSICS
370 Classical Mythology Spring 2006 Professor B.
PowelL, Classics Department, Van Hise 914. bbpowell@wisc.edu. Office hours: 11-12:00
TR or by appointment.
TEXTS,
sold as a package at campus bookstores: B. B. Powell, CLASSICAL MYTH, 4d ed. (=BP: PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE
THE FOURTH EDITION!); The
Epic of Gilgamesh.
Aeschylus, the Oresteia,
translated by Robert Fagles; Sophocles, Three Theban Plays, translated by Robert Fagles; Euripides,
Ten Plays. Also,
check out our website www.prenhall.com/powell for all kinds of help, linked to
my home page at http://classics.lss.wisc.edu/~bbpowell/web/homepage.htm
This
course is a general introduction to the myths of the Greeks (and Romans). We
presume that you know nothing about the subject. After completing this course
you will be able to recognize mythical motifs in art, literature, science, and,
providing you know the right people, in your everyday conversation. You will be
studying the roots of Western culture. Regular attendance at lecture is
important: many slides will be shown. There will be three examinations: two midterms (20% each) and a final (40%). Attendance in section is important
(20%). The midterms will consist of short answers, one or two essays, and slide
identification. The final will be one‑half short answers and one‑half
essays designed to let you show your inspiration, and understanding, in the
most effective way.
l.
Jan.
17 Introduction.
Nature of Myth. BP
Chapter 1
2.
19 East
Mediterranean and its Peoples.
BP Chapter 2
3
24 Some
Eastern Stories. BP
Chapter 3.
4
26 Cultural Background to Greek Myth. BP Chapter 4.
5
. 31 Creation
Stories. BP Chapter 5.
6.
Feb. 2
The
Olympians I. BP Chapter 6. Aeschylus, Agamemnon
7.
7 The
Olympians II. BP Chapter
7
8.
9 The
Olympians III. BP
Chapter 8. Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus (PROF. AYLWARD)
9.
14 Fertility
Myth. BP Chapter 9
10.
16 Dionysus. BP Chapter 10. Euripides, BACCHAE
11.
21 The
Underworld, Orpheus, oracles, BP Chapter 11
12
23 FIRST MID‑TERM
13. 28 GILGAMESH
AND THE HERO; Chapter 12. Gilgamesh.
14.
Mar. 2 THE
MYTHS 0F MYCENAE AND TIRYNS; PERSEUS. BP Chapter 13
15.
7 Heracles I. BP Chapter 14, pp.
345-363 Sophocles, Oedipus the King
16.
9 Heracles II. BP Chapter 14, pp. 364-382
17. 21 Heracles III. Euripides, Alcestis (Prof. Aylward)
18.
23 Athens;
Theseus. BP
Chapter 15 Euripides, Hippolytus
19.
28 THE
MYTHS OF Crete. BP Chapter 16.
20.
30 THE
MYTHS OF Thebes. BP Chapter 17 Sophocles, Antigone
21
Apr
4 THE
MYTHS OF IOLCUS AND CALYDON.
BP Chapter 18
22.
6 SECOND MID‑TERM
23.
11 The
TROJAN WAR I; THE HOUSE OF ATREUS BP Chapter 19. Aeschylus,
Libation Bearers
24.
13 The
Trojan War II. BP Chapter 20. Aeschylus, Eumenides
25.
18 Odysseus I. BP Chapter 21.
26
20 Odysseus II. Euripides, Trojan Women
27
25 Rome I. BP Chapter 22, first half
28
27 Rome II. BP Chapter 22, second half
29.
May 2 MYTH
INTERPRETATION. BP
Chapter 23
30.
4 SUMMARY: Classical
Myth in Postclassical European Art
You
will have trouble with the spelling and pronunciation of Greek names. Best is
to pay careful attention to the phonetic pronunciation given with each name
when it first appears in the text, repeated in the index at the back.
