| CODE | CLA3001 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Classical Mythology in Pictorial Art | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Classics and Archaeology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit provides an analysis of mythological data in Greek vase painting. The first lectures in the unit will examine the phenomenon of mythology from a theoretical perspective, the evolution of its role in Ancient Greek culture as well as the inspiration it offered to various poets, artists, philosophers etc. Subsequently, the techniques in black-figure and red-figure vase painting used in the ancient world will be briefly outlined. Further lectures will focus on the sources for Greek mythology and the content of Greek myth and its depiction on Greek vases. Extant Greek vases will be analyzed in terms of the Greek gods and goddesses; creation myths and fights between gods and other creatures; myths about heroes (Perseus, Heracles, Theseus); the Trojan War and its aftermath. Towards the end of the course there will also be discussion on the nature of the hero in Greek myth in the light of his appearance in Greek pictorial art. Finally, an algorithm for the identification of mythological subjects on vases will be outlined. Study-unit Aims 1) To give a general introduction to Greek mythology 2) To give a basic outline of techniques of Greek pottery and the styles of art used to decorate it 3) To provide an overview of the role of mythology in inspiring the Greek artist 4) To show the central place of mythology in ancient Greek society 5) To identify the mythic content in vase painting and the conventions used in these depictions 6) To give the student a tool by which it will be possible to identify the mythic subjects on a Greek vase Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Recognize the nature of myth and its role in Ancient Greek society; 2) Recognize and value the different types and styles of Greek pottery; 3) Identify the mythic subjects on Greek vases. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1) Understand references to myth on Greek vases in other forms of visual art; 2) Interpret mythic subjects depicted on Greek vases and in other forms of visual art. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings Main text: Woodford, S. 2002. Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (UOM main library and Faculty of Arts library, shelfmark: N N7760 .W66) Supplementary readings: Carpenter, T. H. 2010. Art and Myth in Ancient Greece. London: Thames & Hudson (Junior College Library, shelfmark: BL782.C3) Rasmussen, T. & Spivey, N. (ed.) 2009. Looking at Greek Vases. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (UOM library short loans collection, shelfmark: NK4645 .L66) Shapiro, H. A. 1994. Myth into Art: Poet and Painter in Classical Greece. London: Routledge (UOM main library and Faculty of Arts library, shelfmark: NK4645 .S47) |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Maria Giuliana Fenech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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