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.

In this course, we'll have our own symposium, and the topic will be mythology--specifically, the myth of the Trojan horse. This myth, which is one of the most famous and well-known from the classical world, is referenced in art, history, literature, and popular culture, and the term "Trojan horse" is still used today in reference to everything from computer viruses to sneaky business practices. Though the story of the Trojan horse seems to have its roots in reality (some historians and classicists have suggested that the real "Trojan horse" was a siege engine), its portrayal in the ancient sources is largely a fable. We'll discuss the Trojan War and its key cause and major players, and we'll talk about what aspects of the war--and the horse!--might be more historical and what might be more mythological. Together, we'll explore this famous story in depth and learn more about how the Trojan horse shows up in our world today!

This course is designed to feature some of the hallmarks of a true classical symposium. The course will open with a short lesson on the history of the symposium. In keeping with the tradition of poetry recitation, I will then read, in Latin, a short passage from Vergil's Aeneid (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). Then, together as a class, we'll read some short passages in English. From there, via around-the-campfire style storytelling, I will weave the larger myth of the Trojan Horse. 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, 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.)

This course is meant to be relaxed, fun, and social, with dynamic discussion playing a large role. 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!