Greco-Roman Mythology

Recommended Prerequisites

NA

Teaching Methods

Classes combine theoretical approaches and practical analysis of supporting material (mainly texts and images). The evaluation will be made taking as reference the “Regulamento de Avaliação de Conhecimentos do 1º/2º ciclo da FLUC”, taking into consideration oral participation during the classes, small tests made in prasentia and small written essays, although students can also make as well their option for a final written exam.

Learning Outcomes

The student should:

Know the definitions of myth, its main structures and evolution.

Identify the main sources and the written and iconographic documents of Greek and Roman mythology.

Recognize the presence of myths in cultural production after the classical world, particularly in the contemporary world.

Distinguish the myth as a separate concept of religion, art and literature.

Identify the characteristics of the gods and heroes of the classical world.

Establish comparisons between Greek, Roman and Eastern mythologies.

Identify the different types of mythologies in their systematic character of hermeneutical discourse on human reality.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Definitions of myth, its main structures and evolution

1.1 The myth: discussion of the main theories, with special reference to the allegorist, ritualist and psychoanalyst. The structuralist theory and its validity.

1.2. The notion of crystallisation of myths.

1.3. Sources and resources for the study of mythology.

2. Nature of Greek and Roman religion

2.1 The legalistic side of religion: the oracle of Apollo in Delphi.

2.2 Initiatic religions: the mysteric cults.

2.3. Roman religion and mythology. The interpretatio Graeca

3.  Myths of origins: cultural dialogue between the Greco-Roman world and the East

3.1. The creation of the world and the gods. Gods and heroes.

3.2 The creation of man.

3.3 Aetiological myths: decadence of mankind.

3.4 Travel myths: the wandering gods.

3.5 Myths of transformation

4. Dynamics of the Eros myth

4.1 Eros and Thanatos.

4.2. Gender conditioning: the female and the male.

4.3 The initiatic experience: The Tale of Eros and Psyche

Head Lecturer(s)

Delfim Ferreira Leão

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Excertos de Autores antigos (Homero, Hesíodo, Ésquilo, Eurípides, Plutarco, Cícero, Ovídio, Plínio-o-Velho, Apuleio).

Bremmer, J. (ed.), Interpretations of Greek Mythology, London,1988.

Burkert, W., Mito e Mitologia, tradução de M. H. Rocha Pereira, Lisboa, 1991.

Dias, P.B. "As águas que matam e as águas que salvam: a ambiguidade da água nos textos bíblicos" Brandão J. et al. O Melhor de tudo é a água, Coimbra, 2018. Dowden, K. e Livingstone, N., A Companion to Greek Mythology, Malden, 2011.

Ferreira, J. R., Amor e Morte na Cultura Clássica, Coimbra, 2013.

García Gual, C., Dicionário de Mitos, tradução de A. Borges et al, Cruz Quebrada, 2005.

Leão, D.F. “Tensiones generacionales y la ‘carga’ de la vejez en Alcestis de Eurípides”, Revista Jurídica de Buenos Aires, 94 (2017) 265-28.

Rüpke, G. (ed) A Companion to Roman Religion, Malden, 2007.

Rodrigues, N. S., Mitos e lendas da Roma antiga, Lisboa, 2005.

Woodward, R, D. (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology, Cambridge, 200