Religion in Ancient Greece and Rome: Gods, Myths, and Rituals
Step into the fascinating world of ancient Greek and Roman religions, where myths, rituals, and divine figures shaped the fabric of everyday life. This course invites you to explore the powerful gods and goddesses, the captivating myths, and the religious practices that influenced not only personal beliefs but also public ceremonies and cultural identity.
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Mon 21 Jul
- Special offer: register two learners on one order and pay only one course fee saving each: $65.00 incl. GST
- $130.00 incl. GST
Sessions
Session 1
Mon 21 Jul 19:00 - Mon 21 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 2
Mon 28 Jul 19:00 - Mon 28 Jul 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 3
Mon 04 Aug 19:00 - Mon 04 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 4
Mon 11 Aug 19:00 - Mon 11 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 5
Mon 18 Aug 19:00 - Mon 18 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Session 6
Mon 25 Aug 19:00 - Mon 25 Aug 21:00At Selwyn College, Auckland.Please note there is NO refund or transfer if you cancel less than 5 working days in advance of a class starting. Our refund policy can be read in full here.
Description
This course explores the religious practices, myths, and rituals of ancient Greece and Rome, focusing on the main gods, their cultural context, and how religious beliefs shaped daily life. We will examine the rich tapestry of Greek and Roman religions, starting with the early Greek creation myths and moving through to Roman imperial cults and the rise of Christianity. The course will give you a deep understanding of the intersection between myth and ritual, and how religion was practiced in both personal and public spheres.
The first half of the course will focus on Greek religion, covering topics such as creation stories, the worship of gods and heroes, epic myths, and the importance of localised cults. The second half will shift to Roman religion, exploring the adaptation of Greek religious practices, Roman mystery cults, the imperial cult, and the early Christian church.
Course outline
- Greek Myths and Worship: Explore the foundational myths of Greek creation, the stories of gods and heroes, and how they were incorporated into religious practice through rituals.
- Roman Religious Practices: Understand how Roman religion was shaped by Greek influence, and examine Roman innovations such as the imperial cult and mystery religions.
- Connections between Myth and Ritual: Investigate how myths were used to shape religious rituals and how these practices reinforced societal values and political power.
- Types of Religious Systems: Compare polytheism, monotheism, and henotheism, understanding the nuances of each, and the connections between them in the Greek and Roman contexts.
- Personal and Public Religion: Understand how religion played a role in both personal life (e.g., hero cults and household rituals) and public life (e.g., state-sponsored rituals, sacrifices, and festivals).
By the end of the course you will be able to understand and explain the differences and similarities between Greek and Roman religious practices and mythologies.
Expected learning outcomes
- Know and explain the differences and connections between Greek and Roman religious practice and myth.
- Understand local and personal, public and private, connections to religion in the ancient Mediterranean.
- Be able to discuss different kinds of religious systems: polytheism, monotheism, henotheism, and their interrelations.
- To have an awareness of the sources available to us from the ancient world and their limitations.
Who should attend?
This course is for anyone interested in the history or religion of the ancient world.
About your tutor
Saskia Herren is an expert in Latin language and literature who has taught and tutored courses in Roman history, Latin, and Ancient Greek language at the University of Auckland. She recently received her Master's in Ancient History with first-class honours from the University of Auckland. In 2020, Saskia was the Provost Scholar at Worcester College in Oxford where she researched Latin magical texts. Her research interests include representations of sexuality, gender, power, ethnicity, magic, and sex-work in Greek and Latin literature.
