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Cultivate your curiosity about ancient history, exciting excavations, and cultural heritage connected to the Penn Museum's unparalleled collection and research. You’ll have access to digital readings, videos, and online archival research. Recordings of the live class will be available if you miss a session. No archaeology or anthropology background required; just bring your love for lifelong learning!
Join us on a journey that blends history, myth, and adventure as we embark on an extraordinary trek through epic stories that have shaped civilizations. Explore the rich cultural tapestries spanning the globe through five of history’s most influential and epic tales. Uncover the historical and mythological treasures buried within these legendary epics, bringing ancient worlds vividly to life.
Week 1: The Iliad and The Odyssey
December 5
Join Dr. Brian Rose to delve into the epic battles of the Trojan War, focusing on the rage of Achilles and the valor of Greek and Trojan warriors. Follow the adventurous voyage of Odysseus as he navigates the perils of mythological creatures and divine interventions on his quest to return home. We’ll explore the themes of heroism, loyalty, and the human struggle against fate and discuss the interplay of honor, glory, and the tragic costs of war.
Week 2: The Epic of Gilgamesh
December 12
Journey with the ancient hero Gilgamesh in his quest for immortality and wisdom. Analyze the themes of friendship, mortality, and the quest for meaning in life. Understand its significance as one of the oldest known literary works.
Week 3: Indian Epic: The Ramayana
December 19
Embark on the divine adventure of Prince Rama, his loyal wife Sita, and his faithful companion Hanuman. Examine the epic's exploration of dharma (duty), devotion, and the triumph of good over evil. Appreciate its cultural and spiritual impact on Indian society.
Week 4: Mesoamerican Epic: The Popol Vuh
January 16
Uncover the creation myths and heroic sagas of the Maya civilization. Discuss the epic's depiction of gods, creation, and the heroic deeds of the twin brothers Hunahpu and Xbalanque. Reflect on its importance in preserving Maya history and cosmology.
Speakers
C. Brian Rose, Ph.D., is the Ferry Curator-in-Charge of the Mediterranean Section and James B. Pritchard Professor of Mediterranean Archaeology at Penn. For 25 years he served as co-director of the excavations at Troy, and is now director of the Gordion excavations in central Türkiye. He has received awards such as the Rome Prize of the American Academy in Rome, the Berlin Prize of the American Academy in Berlin, and grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Stephen J. Tinney, Ph.D., the Deputy Director of the Penn Museum, is Clark Research Associate Professor of Assyriology, Associate Curator of the Babylonian Section, and director of the Pennsylvania Sumerian Dictionary Project. He holds a B.A. in Assyriology from Cambridge University, England, and a Ph.D. in Assyriology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. His research interests include all aspects of Sumerian language, literature, and culture. Much of his current work is devoted to developing and publishing Sumerian texts and analyzing and presenting the Sumerian language.
Deven M Patel, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of South Asia Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and an affiliated faculty member in Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, and the Center for Ancient Studies. He teaches courses on literature, philosophy, mythology, critical theory, Sanskrit, and literary history. His books include Text to Tradition: The Naisadhiyacarita and Literary Community in South Asia (Columbia University Press: 2014) and The Way of the King of Poets (JNU Press: 2017).
Simon Martin, Ph.D., Associate Curator in the American Section, is a political anthropologist and specialist in Maya hieroglyphic writing. He has appeared in a number of television programs, including “Cracking the Maya Code” for NOVA/PBS and “Lost Treasures of the Snake Kings” for the National Geographic Channel.