By Lynn E. Roller (NHC Fellow, 1992–93) This book examines one of the most intriguing figures in the religious life of the ancient Mediterranean world, the Phrygian Mother Goddess, known to the Greeks and Romans as Cybele or Magna Mater, the Great Mother. Her cult was particularly prominent in central Anatolia (modern Turkey), and spread … Continued
Edited by Robert A. Segal (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) At least three major questions can be asked of myth: what is its subject matter? what is its origin? and what is its function? Theories of myth may differ on the answers they give to any of these questions, but more basically they may also differ on … Continued
By Charles Segal (NHC Fellow, 1993–94) One of the special charms of the Odyssey, according to Charles Segal, is the way it transports readers to fascinating places. Yet despite the appeal of its narrative, the Odyssey is fully understood only when its style, design, and mythical patterns are taken into account as well. Bringing a … Continued
By Charles Segal (NHC Fellow, 1993–94) Much has been written about the heroic figures of Sophocles’ powerful dramas. Now Charles Segal focuses our attention not on individual heroes and heroines, but on the world that inspired and motivated their actions—a universe of family, city, nature, and the supernatural. He shows how these ancient masterpieces offer insight into … Continued
By Carolyn Higbie (NHC Fellow, 2003–04) Carolyn Higbie uses an inscription of the first century BC from Lindos to study the ancient Greeks and their past. The inscription contains two inventories. The first catalogues some forty objects given to Athena Lindia by figures from the mythological past (including Heracles, Helen, and Menelaus) and the historical … Continued
Edited by Robert A. Segal (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) Drawing from both classic and hard-to-find reading, one of the leading interpreters of theories of myth offers a comprehensive analysis of the myth and ritual theory. The book not only offers a detailed introduction to the theories, but also provides a further introduction to the individual selections. … Continued
By Robert A. Segal (NHC Fellow, 1997–98) For two hundred years the subject of myth—its origin, function, and significance—has been addressed again and again, first by theologians and philosophers and then by anthropologists, sociologists, and psychologists. From the outset the topic has sparked intense debate, with differing opinions expressed on everything from issues of epistemology … Continued
How did the Confederate myth of the Lost Cause develop? Why was it important for ex-Confederates to establish their "history" of the war? And why has this version of the past continued to offer such a powerful hold more than 160 years after the Civil War? This webinar will exam the origins, architects, and lasting … Continued
Ron Eisenman shares how a PBS television series encouraged him to pursue his passions and turn to the humanities to help him make sense of the world around him. His engagement with “The Power of Myth” helped to connect seemingly disparate cultural contexts by illuminating the shared elements of the stories we tell about ourselves. … Continued
As a teacher of classical mythology, Poliakoff explains that the challenge he presents to his students—and that myths present to contemporary readers—is to understand how such ancient stories transcend their particular contexts to embody universal lessons which can be translated across cultures and history. By using classical mythology both to understand our origins and to … Continued