Mythology Symposium: All About Poseidon, God of the Sea

One of three sons born of the Titan Kronos, it fell to Poseidon, whom the Romans called Neptune, to rule over the sea. His power was mighty, as he controlled not only the waves, but storms and earthquakes, as well; when Poseidon struck the earth with his trident, everyone took notice. Much like his brother Zeus, the king of the gods, Poseidon had a wandering eye and a strong sense of pride. The father of the Cyclops Polyphemus, Poseidon was largely responsible for Odysseus's ten-year wanderings after the Trojan War came to its end. 

In this course, we will put the spotlight on Poseidon, and we'll discuss his birth and origins, his powers, and some of the many stories about him, including, but not limited to: his role in the story of Andromeda, his numerous romantic exploits, and his role in the story of Laomedon. [Please note that some of the other famous stories involving Poseidon, such as the story of the Minotaur, are discussed in detail in some of my other classes and will not be repeated here; please do not hesitate to contact me if you are curious about the classes in which these stories are shared.]

This course is the eighth in a series designed to spotlight each of the twelve major Olympian gods (the first and second being about Zeus and Hera, respectively, the third being about Athena, the fourth being about Aphrodite, the fifth being about Artemis, the sixth being about Apollo, and the seventh being about Hermes). Such courses are meant to go beyond the basics to give learners a deeper understanding of each of the twelve major gods in the ancient Greek (and Roman!) pantheon. This course follows the format of my traditional symposium classes, and there is no prerequisite for this course.

As with my other symposium-style courses, this course is designed to feature some of the hallmarks of a true classical symposium. I may read excerpts from ancient Greek or Latin poetry, in keeping with the tradition of poetry recitation (please note:  any such readings are so that students can hear the language; this is not a language course, so language learning is not part of the class). Together as a class, we'll also read some short passages in English. From there, via around-the-campfire style storytelling, I will weave the larger stories around our topic of the day:  Poseidon. This course will make use of slides to introduce new material and to provide visual representations of art and literature. Ongoing dialogue and conversation, questions directed to students from the teacher (and from students to the teacher!), and reading aloud are all part of this course (please note that students are free to listen OR to join in the reading; it is their choice, and there is no pressure to participate in this way); discussion and questions are not just welcomed, but encouraged! 

As food and drink were an important part of a symposium, we'll seek to recreate that with traditional symposium snacks (please see the supply list for more details!), and while the traditional wine isn't age appropriate, a more appropriate drink like water or juice is a suitable replacement. (Please note that students should not feel obligated to eat or drink if they do not wish to; the food is meant to enhance the experience, but it's far from necessary.)

A symposium was an occasion for people to gather together for entertainment and learning. This course is one of many symposium-style courses, with each course designed to feature a different topic. This course has no prerequisites, and it is ideal for learners who love mythology, who have a curiosity about the classical world, or who enjoy good stories. Let's sit down to a symposium together!