ANCIENT 110G Classical Mythology

In this course, you will learn about the myths of ancient Greece and Egypt: about gods, heroes, heroines, and monsters - through the works of major writers and artists. We will put Egyptian and Greek myths in their social and historical context, identifying the important cultural and religious roles that myths served in their histories. We will touch on the ‘afterlife’ of Egyptian and Greek myths. We will consider Egyptian and Greek mythology from a local perspective, considering similarities and differences with the traditional stories and figures of Aotearoa New Zealand, such as Ranginui and Papatuanuku, Hineahuone, and Maui. And finally, we will focus on how myths were transmitted.

We will cover major myths such as the creation of the world, the deeds of Heracles, the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan war, and the Contendings of Horus and Seth. We will learn about important deities such as Zeus and Demeter, Re and Isis, and more. In addition we will consider the 'afterlife' of some Greek and Egyptian myths in art, literature and culture, including the Labours of Heracles and the Trojan Horse. Ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology will also be situated in a local perspective, considering similarities and differences with the traditional stories and figures of Aotearoa New Zealand such as Ranginui, Papatūānuku, Tāne Mahuta, and Māui.Topics coveredDefinitions of mythologyThe roles that mythology played in ancient Greece and EgyptMyth cycles, including: the creation of the world, the roles, presence and functions of gods and goddesses, the deeds of heroes and heroines, and the relationships between the divine world and mortalsThe transmission of myths by mouth, page, artefact, and pictureThe connection between Greek and Egyptian mythologies and mythology in Aotearoa New Zealand

Restriction: CLASSICS 110, 110G  

• Definitions of mythology
• The roles that mythology played in ancient Greece and Egypt
• Myth cycles, including: the creation of the world, the roles, presence and functions of gods and goddesses, the deeds of heroes and heroines, and the relationships between the divine world and mortals
• The transmission of myths by mouth, page, artefact, and picture
  
• The connection between Greek and Egyptian mythologies and mythology in Aotearoa New Zealand
  

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