Classical Mythology

Short Paper #2

Topic: In the last couple of weeks, we have looked at a number of instances where the representation of mythic figures and stories on vases differs from that known to us from literary sources. For this paper I want you to explore more deeply this extremely interesting and rather understudied area: the visual representation of myth.

As you explore visual images of myth from antiquity, the paper may turn in one of two directions (and if you find yourself interested in a different angle of attack, I'm open to other suggestions):

* Possibility #1. Reconstruction of an unknown myth.

* Possibility #2. Reconstruction of important associations revolving about a given divinity (or major hero).

* Possibility #1. Reconstruction of an unknown myth. Select a vase image that seems to tell a tale substantially different from the tale as known to us from literary sources. (a) Use the sources now familiar to you (Powell's textbook, Gantz, Grimal) to investigate the tales known to us from literary sources in order to see what sorts of tales are told about this mythic figure. (b) Use your imagination, as tempered by your knowledge of the documented tales, to reconstruct a plausible story line to account for the vase image. You can either write this as a research paper, setting forth in detail your reconstruction, and accounting for it both in terms of the visual image and in terms of what is known from literary sources. Or: you can write the paper as a creative retelling of the tale, with (as in the first paper) a final section that analyzes the basis for your reconstruction and tries to justify it from what we know from literary sources.

To locate an unknown myth, you can either (1) select one of the puzzles I introduced in class (see the class web pages), or (2) find one of your own. To find one on your own, use the resources described below: LIMC or the various web resources, especially Perseus. I strongly encourage you to come up with a new image of your own, so that you have the opportunity to look more widely into the world of visual representation of myth.

* Possibility #2. Reconstruction of important associations revolving about a given divinity (or major hero). (a) Use the sources now familiar to you (Powell's textbook, Gantz, Grimal) to investigate the tales known to us from literary sources in order to see what sorts of tales are told about this mythic figure. If you're investigating a god or goddess you will want also to look into the brief summary in Burkert in order to get an idea of cult practice surrounding this god. Think about what constitutes the nature of the divine power associated with this god. (b) Look at a good many images associated with the mythological figure (that's why it needs to be a god or very major hero), and see what about the visual representation of the god seems to differ from the idea of the god you get from the literary accounts. Now write a reconstruction / investigation / analysis that seeks to account for these differences. What do the pictures tell you about the essential nature of the divinity or hero that is unknown or unclear from the literary sources?

To locate a collection of images on a given god or major hero, use LIMC or Perseus or the "Classical Myth" web resource described below.

Reminder: read the paper over to a friend before submitting it.

Resources

Visual images: Main resources for finding substantial numbers of images (there are of course many other books with plates in the library, but these will give a lot of images for any major figure):

LIMC = Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae (=Iconographical Dictionary of Classical Mythology). On reserve. This incredible resource, in 16 large books (!), attempts a complete catalogue of the iconography of mythic figures. Each of the "volumes" has two parts: part 1 is the text, part 2 are the images. In many cases the text (part 1) is in a language other than English, but the images (part 2) are accessible to all. Don't be confused by the pedantic names: Oidipous for Oedipus, Kentauroi for Centaurs, and the like: you can usually flip through that area of the alphabet (but note that "C" will be found under "K") until you find the name you're looking for. (If you have a problem locating a mythic figure, come ask me and we'll find it!) Alphabetically arranged, as follows:

Perseus and other web resources. The Perseus Project has more than 13,000 vase images available to Bucknell (as a site licensee) and searchable by mythological topic. Also important is the "Classical Myth" site, which gives for each of the major Greek gods and goddesses an extensive list of images collected from a variety of sites and museums around the world. See the class web page under External Links:

Other basic resources: For the stories, you should recall Gantz and Grimal from our last assignment. For Greek religion (if you're working on the concept of a given divinity), Burkert is a excellent, concise, reliable guide to religious cult practices associated with a given god.

Burkert = Walter Burkert, Greek Religion. 1985. On Reserve (2 copies).

Gantz = Timothy Gantz, Early Greek Myth, A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources. 1993. On reserve.

Grimal = Pierre Grimal, Dictionary of Classical Mythology. 1951. One copy on reserve, one copy in reference section.

Process: (1) First finished draft, (2) response from two peers, (3) revision. All by e-mail. No printouts. See process sheets for details.

Length: 3 pages. (That is, aim at 3 pages, but of course every paper has a beginning, middle, and end, and papers should write themselves to their own length. In any case, make the paper no less than 2, and try not to spill too much over 4.)

Deadlines: First finished draft due Oct. 22 (Wednesday), responses due Oct. 27 (Monday), final revision due Oct. 31 (Friday).