Greek myth is one of the most enduring legacies of ancient Greek culture, familiar to us from mythology handbooks and Greek literary texts such as The Odyssey. Greek myth, however, was also a popular subject for Greek art and many traditional tales best known from their depiction on Greek vases and Greek sculpture. This class will introduce students to the Greek myths exhibited in Greek art through analysis of well-known monuments such as the Parthenon and lesser known works of sculpture and vase painting. Students will learn how to recognize the story and analyze the narrative technique used. They will also learn how to evaluate the underlying messages of political propaganda, religious belief, and moral and ethical questions that such objects often convey.
Suggested reading: Art and Myth in Ancient Greece, Thomas H. Carpenter; Thames & Hudson, 2nd edition