Mythology Symposium: The Story of Achilles

The symposium (or συμπoσιον) was for centuries an important part of ancient Greek culture (and ancient Roman culture, too; the Romans admired Greek culture and literature very much, and so they "borrowed" quite a bit from the Greeks, including their own version of the symposium, called a convivium). Symposia were essentially intimate dinner parties at a private home; after the main meal, the attendants would gather to drink wine, nibble on snacks, and indulge in all manner of literary and artistic entertainment:  reciting poetry, discussing literature and philosophy, debating history and politics, singing, listening to live music, and more. We still use the term "symposium" today to describe conferences or meetings that revolve around a specific subject.

This course is the third in a series of symposium-style courses (the first being the Story of the Trojan Horse, and the second being the Story of Eros and Psyche). Please note that these classes can be taken in any order, and there is no prior knowledge required for this course. Take one mythology symposium course, or take them all--each class is a standalone course, and can be taken alone or in conjunction with other courses in the symposium series. 

In this course, we'll have our own symposium, and the topic will be mythology--specifically, the myths and stories surrounding Achilles, one of the greatest Greek heroes. Achilles's name alone was enough to strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. Undefeated on the battlefield, and known as the Greeks' most intimidating warrior, Achilles is the central character in Homer's epic tale of the Trojan War, the Iliad. The Iliad is one of the most famous and celebrated works of Western literature, and its influence is still seen today in art, literature, and film. It is Achilles's wrath that drives the narrative, and his story is one of the most famous in all of classical mythology. In this course, we'll explore the many myths surrounding Achilles, and we'll learn about some of the many heroes--both Greek and Trojan--who are associated with him, including Hector, Prince of Troy. Please note that this is not a course for those who are looking for a detailed exploration and analysis of the Iliad (that would be a much longer class!), but it is a course for those who want to learn about some of the major plot points of this epic work, and who want to gain a knowledge of, and familiarity with, the themes and characters presented. 

This course is designed to feature some of the hallmarks of a true classical symposium. In keeping with the tradition of poetry recitation, I will read, in ancient Greek, a short passage (or passages) from Homer's Iliad (please note:  the Greek reading is 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 story of Achilles, his origins, and his role in the Trojan War. 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 although I will be reading aloud, 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!