Classical Mythology
Myths of Ancient Greece and Rome

This course will survey the major myths of Greek and Roman culture. It will explore ancient views of creation, the Olympians, the mythic cycles of Troy, Mycenae, Thebes and well as examine the classic stories of various epic and tragic heroes such as Achilles, Oedipus, Heracles, and Odysseus. In addition, it will analyze these myths with reference to their ancient Greek and Roman social and cultural contexts, studying their origins and the significance they had for the people of the time. The course will also look at these myths in light of recurrent, universal mythological themes such as the nature of creation, the heroic quest, initiation, and unrequited love to find out why these traditional stories continue to fascinate the human imagination and influence Western art and culture to this day.