RLS402 Classical Mythology: Heroic myths

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Irena Radová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Irena Radová, Ph.D.
Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Jitka Erlebachová
Supplier department: Department of Classical Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
( RLS401 Classical Mythology: Gods || LJ401 Classical Mythology: Gods ) && ! LJ402 Classical Mythology: Heroes
There are no specific requirements for enrolling in this course, completion of the course Classical Mythology: Gods is recommended.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 270 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/270, only registered: 0/270, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/270
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 25 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course provides a comprehensive overview of Greek and Roman mythology, especially of the heroic myths and various approaches to them in various literary genres and periods of the ancient literature. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand the impact of ancient mythology on visual arts and literature as well. The course is partly supported by an electronic version of the course.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the system of classical heroic mythology and relevant secondary literature in order to present basic information about any of these ancient mythological characters.. Moreover, students will also be able to reproduce different methods of interpretations of the myths in question and to interpret the characters inspired by antiquity in the modern visual arts and literature.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction; Corinthian cycle.
  • 2. Argive myths.
  • 3. Heraclean cycle.
  • 4. Spartan myths.
  • 5. Attic myths.
  • 6. Cretan myths.
  • 7. Theban Myths.
  • 8. Thessalian myths.
  • 9. Common adventures: Calydonian hunt.
  • 10: Common adventures: Argonautica.
  • 11. Common adventures: Troian war.
  • 12.–13. Common adventures: Nostoi; Aeneis.
Literature
    required literature
  • Vzhledem k existenci mnoha kvalitních publikací o mytologii v různých jazycích není pro kurz stanovena povinná literatura. Je lhostejno, z které z doporučených příruček bude student čerpat své znalosti.
    recommended literature
  • The Cambridge companion to Greek mythology. Edited by Roger D. Woodard. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007, xvi, 536. ISBN 9780521607261. info
  • GRANT, Michael and John HAZEL. Who's who in classical mythology. 1st pub. London: Routledge, 2002, x, 367. ISBN 0415260418. info
  • SMITH, William. A classical dictionary of Greek and Roman biography, mythology and geography. Edited by Marindin. G. E. London: John Murray, 1919, vi, 1018 s. info
  • SVOBODA, Ludvík. Encyklopedie antiky. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 1973, 741 s. URL info
  • Classical mythology in twentieth-century thought and literature. Edited by Wendell M. Aycock - Theodore M. Klein. Lubbock: Texas Tech Press, 1980. ISBN 0-89672-079-9. info
  • MORFORD, Mark P. O. and Robert J. LENARDON. Classical mythology. 3rd ed. New York: Longman, 1985, xvi, 576. ISBN 0582285410. info
  • BRISSON, Luc. How philosophers saved myths : allegorical interpretation and classical mythology. Translated by Catherine Tihanyi. Pbk. ed. Chicago: University of Chicago, 2008, xiv, 206. ISBN 0226075354. info
  • REID, Jane Davidson. The Oxford guide to classical mythology in the arts, 1300-1990s. Edited by Chris Rohmann. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993, xxiii ;. ISBN 0195049985. info
  • KERÉNYI, Karl and Carl Gustav JUNG. Věda o mytologii. Vyd. 1. V Brně: Nakladatelství Tomáše Janečka, 1995, 229 s. ISBN 80-85880-06-7. info
  • CSAPO, Eric. Theories of mythology. 1st pub. Malden: Blackwell, 2005, xiii, 338. ISBN 9780631232483. info
  • Images of myths in classical antiquity. Edited by Susan Woodford. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, xxvi, 305. ISBN 0521788099. info
Teaching methods
One 2 hour lecture per week and e-learning.
Assessment methods
Requirements for credit: passing a written test consisting of 27 multiple-choice questions, minimum pass level 60%.
Language of instruction
Czech
Study support
https://elf.phil.muni.cz/24-25/course/view.php?id=273
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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