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 second in a series of symposium-style courses (the first being the Story of the Trojan Horse). Please note that these classes can be taken in any order, and there is no prerequisite 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 myth of Eros (or, as he was known to the Romans, Cupid) and Psyche. This myth, which is one of the most famous and beloved from the classical world, is referenced in art, history, literature, and popular culture. Though it's often thought of as the ultimate love story, it is also a complicated story of jealousy, revenge, devotion, and longing. Some elements of the story even found their way into more modern tales like Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Though this story has a long tradition in both Greek and Roman mythology, our primary source for the story as we think of it today is from the ancient Roman writer Apuleius, and we will refer to his work, both in Latin and in English, at various points throughout the course, though the majority of our time will be spent in story-telling and discussion.

This course is designed to feature some of the hallmarks of a true classical symposium. In keeping with the tradition of poetry and/or prose recitation, I will read, in Latin, a few short passages from Apuleius's Metamorphoses (please note:  the Latin 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 read some short passages in English. Via around-the-campfire style storytelling, I will weave the larger myth of Eros and Psyche. 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 learners from the teacher (and from learners 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, though learners should feel free to participate as much or as little as they wish. 

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!