Description
This course invites participants into the richly layered worlds of the Olympian gods. Over 8 weeks, we will examine how these divine figures were used to reflect, reinforce, or challenge the values and structures of ancient societies.
The module is structured around pairs of gods, a format that highlights the dynamism of the pantheon and invites comparison and contrast between their roles, attributes, and cultural functions. By exploring these divine relationships, we will consider how the gods offered ancient people ways of thinking about identity, power, gender, and the cosmos.
We will examine, too, how the gods of ancient Greece relate to their Roman counterparts. We will also reflect on how the Olympian gods have been reimagined in postclassical contexts and continue to resonate today.
Week 1 – Gods on Olympos: Who belongs, and why?
Week 2 – Zeus and Hera: Kingship, marriage and patriarchy
Week 3 – Athena and Ares: Warfare, cunning and gender
Week 4 – Artemis and Apollo: Youth, boundaries and the wilds
Week 5 – Aphrodite and Hephaistos: Desire, wiles and craft
Week 6 – Demeter and Poseidon: Earth, sea and sovereignty
Week 7 – Hestia and Hermes: Movement, space and fire
Week 8 – Dionysus: Madness, liberation and the edges of Olympos
Participants will meet on Zoom, on Tuesdays at 18:00-19:30 (UK/Ireland local time) on 30th September, 7th October, 14th October, 21st October, (mid-term break 28th October), 4th November, 11th November, 18th November, and 25th November 2025.
Tutor: Prof Susan Deacy.
The class will proceed subject to a minimum number of enrolments.
Cancellation policy: students will receive a full refund if the student cancels their registration more than two weeks before the class begins. Students will receive 50% refund if the student cancels their registration 8-14 days before the class begins.
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