Zeus. Even if you don't know much about Greek mythology, chances are you've heard the name. The Romans called him Jupiter or Jove, and according to both Greek and Roman mythology, he was the king of the Olympian gods, in addition to being the god of the sky, lightning, and thunder. It was under his leadership that the Olympians defeated the race of the old gods, the Titans, and came to rule the world. According to the Iliad, Zeus was the keeper of two urns, from which he bestowed joys or sorrows upon mankind. Often portrayed as an incorrigible ladies' man, many of the most famous myths about Zeus revolve around his romantic exploits and his efforts to keep his many girlfriends hidden from his wife, Hera. While many such stories paint him as a scoundrel and a rogue, there are some disturbing elements to these stories, as well.

A lot of people know a little about Zeus, but do you want to know more? Do you want to go beyond the surface to explore this mythological figure in depth? In this course, we will put the spotlight on Zeus, and we'll discuss his birth and origins, his powers, and some of the many stories about him. These stories will be explored in detail, and specific stories for discussion include his role in the war against the Titans, how Athena came to be born from his head, where the Myrmidons came from, and some of his (incredibly numerous) romantic adventures. [Please note that a number of stories about Zeus and his paramours (Zeus and Europa, Zeus and Io, Zeus and Semele, Zeus and Danae) are discussed in my other classes and will not be repeated here; do not hesitate to contact me if you are curious about the other classes in which these stories are explored.]

This course is meant to be the first in a series designed to spotlight each of the twelve major Olympian gods. 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:  Zeus. 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!