Ancient Greece: Myth, Art, War

Professor Chris Mackie and Dr Gillian Shepherd
  • 3.9 (36)
  • COURSES
Ancient Greece: Myth, Art, War

In this subject students are introduced to the diversity of the ancient Greek achievement, which has exercised a fundamental and continuing influence upon later European literature and culture. The subject commences with a detailed treatment of Homer's Iliad and the myth of the Trojan war. This is one of the dominant myths in the Greek tradition and is narrated in some detail in epic poetry, in drama, and in art and architecture. We explore how myths are 'read' in their historical context, especially in the contexts of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars of the 5th Century BC. A variety of sources are treated to enable students to build up a picture of Greek society as a whole.

  1. 06/11/2013

    The Acropolis Programme

    After a curious gap of over 30 years, the Athenians finally started to rebuild on the Acropolis following the Persian sack of 480 BC. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines the extravagant programme of grand buildings – most famously the Parthenon – on the Acropolis and looks at some of the issues surrounding the interpretation of the buildings and their decoration. Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

    51 min

  2. 06/11/2013

    The Acropolis Programme (handout)

    After a curious gap of over 30 years, the Athenians finally started to rebuild on the Acropolis following the Persian sack of 480 BC. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd examines the extravagant programme of grand buildings – most famously the Parthenon – on the Acropolis and looks at some of the issues surrounding the interpretation of the buildings and their decoration. Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

  3. 05/31/2013

    Art, Myth and Marathon

    The Battle of Marathon in 490 BC – when against all odds the Athenians (with a bit of help from the Plataeans) defeated the Persians was too good a PR opportunity for the Athenians to ignore and they made the most of it. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at the imagery associated with war and especially the Battle of Marathon and the series of victory monuments erected in Athens, Attica and Delphi. Marathon entered Athenian mythology: the gods themselves – Athena, Herakles, Theseus and Echetlaos no less - had turned up at Marathon to help the Athenians. Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

    48 min

  4. 05/31/2013

    Art, Myth and Marathon (handout)

    The Battle of Marathon in 490 BC – when against all odds the Athenians (with a bit of help from the Plataeans) defeated the Persians was too good a PR opportunity for the Athenians to ignore and they made the most of it. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at the imagery associated with war and especially the Battle of Marathon and the series of victory monuments erected in Athens, Attica and Delphi. Marathon entered Athenian mythology: the gods themselves – Athena, Herakles, Theseus and Echetlaos no less - had turned up at Marathon to help the Athenians. Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

  5. 05/31/2013

    Myth, Art, War and Greek Sanctuaries

    Sanctuaries were the context for many of the most impressive buildings and sculptures produced by the ancient Greeks. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at the basic types of sanctuary and temple design, and then focuses on one of the most famous of all Greek sanctuaries, that of Zeus Olympios at Olympia – home to the Olympic games, but also the site of lavish temples, treasuries and sculpture Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

    48 min

  6. 05/31/2013

    Myth, Art, War and Greek Sanctuaries (handout)

    Sanctuaries were the context for many of the most impressive buildings and sculptures produced by the ancient Greeks. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at the basic types of sanctuary and temple design, and then focuses on one of the most famous of all Greek sanctuaries, that of Zeus Olympios at Olympia – home to the Olympic games, but also the site of lavish temples, treasuries and sculpture Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

  7. 05/31/2013

    The Trojan War in Greek Art

    Mythological scenes are common in Greek art. The Trojan War was a very popular subject for Greek artists, especially vase painters of the 6th and 5th centuries BC. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at range of images of the Trojan War – some of which do not in fact occur in the literary tradition. Are we missing some stories, or could ancient Greek painters and sculptors come up with their own slant on mythical characters and their antics? Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

    53 min

  8. 05/31/2013

    The Trojan War in Greek Art (handout)

    Mythological scenes are common in Greek art. The Trojan War was a very popular subject for Greek artists, especially vase painters of the 6th and 5th centuries BC. In this lecture Dr Gillian Shepherd looks at range of images of the Trojan War – some of which do not in fact occur in the literary tradition. Are we missing some stories, or could ancient Greek painters and sculptors come up with their own slant on mythical characters and their antics? Copyright 2013 Gillian Shepherd / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

See All (50)

Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

In this subject students are introduced to the diversity of the ancient Greek achievement, which has exercised a fundamental and continuing influence upon later European literature and culture. The subject commences with a detailed treatment of Homer's Iliad and the myth of the Trojan war. This is one of the dominant myths in the Greek tradition and is narrated in some detail in epic poetry, in drama, and in art and architecture. We explore how myths are 'read' in their historical context, especially in the contexts of the Persian and Peloponnesian wars of the 5th Century BC. A variety of sources are treated to enable students to build up a picture of Greek society as a whole.

Information

  • Creator
    Professor Chris Mackie and Dr Gillian Shepherd
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2013
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2013 La Trobe University
  • Show Website
    Ancient Greece: Myth, Art, War

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