Archive for Yurie Hong
Greek tragedy and ‘The Wire’
Thanks to my persistent brother-in-law’s recommendation, Sean and I just finished watching the acclaimed HBO show ‘The Wire’ a couple of weeks ago. Each of the five seasons is loosely structured around a single wire-tapping case in Baltimore that sheds light on some aspect of the city’s institutions (drug trade, unions, real estate/politics, education, and [...]
It’s All Greek to…Hollywood?
Apparently Hollywood is working on a blockbuster movie about the Greek gods. According to Variety: Fox 2000 has assembled a cast of Greek gods for the fantasy adventure “Percy Jackson.” Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean have signed on to play Medusa, Chiron and Zeus, respectively. Kevin McKidd (Poseidon) and Melina Kanakerides (Athena) are also joining the [...]
Shout-Out from Phi Beta Kappa speaker and Classicist, Tom Palaima
Gustavus must have made a good impression on Phi Beta Kappa speaker and classicist Tom Palaima, who delivered a talk about ancient and modern narratives of war earlier this month. He mentions Gustavus in his column “In education, enthusiasm matters” in the Austin American-Statesman. Read the whole column here. Many thanks to everyone for making [...]
The Aeneid on Facebook!
Someone has reimagined the Aeneid as a facebook page. Sheer genius! Take a look at it here. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Prominent Classicists Find Temporary Home at Gustavus
We in Classics were fortunate to have not one, but two prominent visiting speakers, who delivered lectures on classical topics this week, both of whom discussed ways in which the study of Classics intersects with the modern world. On Thursday Feb. 26, Professor Patrice Rankine from Purdue University delivered an exciting lecture entitled “Black Athena and [...]
Gustavus Student Colonizes Carleton
On Feb. 14th, Classics major Paula Wiggam delivered a very well-received paper at the Carleton undergraduate conference on colonization. Paula has recently returned from the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Sicily, where our very own Matt Panciera is teaching for the year. Gustavus classicists: taking over the world one corner at a time!
A Tipsy Hero–wine-drinking in the Odyssey
In connection with the previous post on feasting with good food and friends, here’s an article on wine-drinking in the Odyssey from the New York Times: A student in one of my English classes recently asked about the endless references to drinking wine in “The Odyssey.” The question, which had nothing to do with my lesson, [...]
Greek Women Gain Entry into Art Museum!
This is overdue (in a couple of ways), but better late than never. It’s well worth reading the whole thing. The Glory That Was Greece From a Female Perspective It’s funny, given American political ideals, that our museums offer so few major exhibitions of ancient Greek art. The Met had one called “The Greek Miracle: Classical Sculpture [...]
Hot off the presses!
Ancient Greek homes doubled as pubs, brothels http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28775168/ A new analysis of archaeological remains might have solved the mystery of the elusive kapeleia, lively Greek taverns that have long puzzled archaeologists. Despite the kapeleia being featured prominently in classical plays, no tangible evidence of the drinking dens has ever been found. “Taverns are indeed so well hidden. We know [...]
Ancient Persians ‘gassed Romans’
Ancient Persians were the first to use chemical warfare against their enemies, a study has suggested. Read more here. A UK researcher said he found evidence that the Persian Empire used poisonous gases on the Roman city of Dura, Eastern Syria, in the 3rd Century AD. The theory is based on the discovery of remains of about 20 [...]