Topics in Art History: Gods and Goddesses in Ancient Greek and Roman Art Course: 01:082:291 Index: 03006 Summer Session I (B1) Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-5:00 PM College Ave. Campus, Voorhees Hall, Room 104

Instructor: Laurie Porstner Contact: [email protected] Office hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, by appointment only

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The major gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome not only possessed human forms, but they exhibited very "human" traits such emotions, consumed food and drink, and although they were undying, they could be wounded and bleed. Producing images of the gods in painting and sculpture led to the development of idealization, a foundation Western Art would be based upon, to emphasize the perfection and undying aspects of the divine. The legacy of these beings that appear "human" but go beyond the capabilities of a regular person are still part of our everyday lives in the form of superheroes.

This course examines the iconography and cultural significance (mythology, cultic practices, athletic and religious festivals, etc.) of the major and selected minor pagan deities of ancient Greece and Rome, culminating in the spread of Judaism and Christianity during the later Roman Empire.

Course requirements include mandatory attendance and in-class discussions of readings, a midterm, and a 5- 7 page paper based upon an image of a god or goddess in the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Princeton University Art Museum. No previous experience in Art History is required, although having already taken AH105 is suggested.

LEARNING GOALS

The goal of Art History courses is to enable students to identify, discuss, and interpret works of art and architecture. Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of a large set of visual artifacts from a diverse range of periods and geographic regions and be able to place them within their historical contexts. They will be able to employ skills of critical thinking in their written and oral expression and to construct an historical argument that incorporates images in a meaningful way.

COURSE LEARNING GOALS

1. To look more deeply at images of major deities and religious practices in the ancient Mediterranean from the Greek Archaic period until the end of antiquity. 2. To relate specific works of art and architecture to their stylistic, historical, and social contexts. 3. To identify and understand cross-cultural exchanges, especially in regard to the classical tradition and foundations of Western art.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. All students are required to abide by the Rutgers University Academic Integrity Policy. Please consult: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-at-rutgers

Violations include: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating violations of academic integrity. Any such violations will be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. When in doubt about what constitutes academic integrity, please ask.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Please notify me if you have any documented disabilities or special circumstances that require attention. Students with disabilities may also contact the Office of Disability Services directly: Office of Disability Services, Lucy Stone Hall, Livingston Campus, 54 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Suite A145, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08854, email: [email protected], 848-445-6800.

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING

You will be required to complete all of the following in order to pass the course:

1. Paper: 5-7 pages (45%). This paper will be an in-depth look at a work of art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Princeton University Art Museum. Directions to follow. 2. Exam: (40%) 3. Attendance and participation (15%).

Grading Scale

A = 90–100 B+ = 87–89 B = 80–86 C+ = 77–79 C = 70–76 D = 65–69 F= 64 and Below

TEXTBOOKS AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

Primary Text: Mark P.O. Morford, Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham, Classical Mythology: 10th edition, 2013, ISBN # 978-0199997329. Abbreviated "CM" in the schedule listed below.

Additional readings (further TBD):

Ekroth, Gunnel. "The Cult of Heroes." Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece. Sabine Albersmeir, ed., 2009. P. 121-143

Elsner, Jas. "Art and Religion" Chapter 8 in Imperial Rome and Christian Triumph: The Art of the Roman Empire AD 100-450, 1998. P. 199-235.

Gordon, Joel. "When Superman Smote Zeus: Analysing Violent Deicide in Popular Culture." Classical Receptions Journal 2017; 9 (2): 211-236.

Larson, Jennifer. "The Singularity of Herakles." Heroes: Mortals and Myths in Ancient Greece. Sabine Albersmeir, ed., 2009. P.31-38.

Supplementary texts (suggested for students wanting to place works of art discussed in class within the larger context of ancient Greek and Roman art and/or for those unfamiliar with Greek and Roman art):

Pedley, John G. Greek Art and Archaeology: 5th Edition, 2011

Kleiner, Fred. A History of Roman Art: 2nd Edition, 2017

Students must complete the assigned readings before arriving to class. You are not responsible for images in the readings that have NOT been discussed in class (only images shown in class will be tested), but you ARE responsible for all historical, cultural, and technical information including vocabulary, since that must be included in essay questions on exams. The additional readings, announcements, and instructions for assignments will be posted on Sakai.

Helpful References:

Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing About Art, 11th edition, 2014. Helpful for papers.

Carpenter, Thomas H. Art and Myth in Ancient Greece, 1991.

Shapiro, H.A. Myth Into Art: Poet and Painter in Classical Greece, 1994.

Woodford, Susan. Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity, 2002.

Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae (abbreviated LIMC) Available in the reference section of the Art Library. These volumes are essential for studying the iconography of the gods and goddesses of classical antiquity.

The Oxford Classical Dictionary

Smarthistory https://smarthistory.org/

Theoi.com http://www.theoi.com/

Hemingway, Colette, and Seán Hemingway. “Greek Gods and Religious Practices.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grlg/hd_grlg.htm

Karoglou, Kiki. “Mystery Cults in the Greek and Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/myst/hd_myst.htm

Moser, Claudia. “Eastern Religions in the Roman World.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/errw/hd_errw.htm

COURSE SCHEDULE

This schedule is subject to change depending on how much can be accomplished in a single class.

Date Topic Reading Introduction, Definitions of Myth, Greek CM Chapter 1 (P. 3-39), Chapter 6 (P. Religion vs. Mythology, Creation & the 140-167), Chapter 3 (P. 61-83), May 28 Gigantomachy (Delphi & Pergamon), Chapter 4 (P. 84-116) Olympians: Zeus Zeus cont. (Olympia & Olympic games) May 30 CM Chapter 5 (P. 117-139) Hestia, Hera, Hephaestus, Ares Poseidon & gods of the sea, Athena (Parthenon CM Chapter 7 (P. 168-178), Chapter 8 June 4 & Panathenaia) (P. 179-192), Aphrodite & Eros, Artemis (Brauron), Apollo CM Chapter 9 (P.193-226), Chapter 10 June 6 (Delphi) & the Muses (P. 227-250, Chapter 11 (P.251-284) CM Chapter 12 (P.285-303), Chapter Hermes, Dionysos, Pan, Demeter & Persephone June 11 13 (P. 304-338), CM Chapter 14 (Eleusis) (P.339-358) Hades, "Lesser" Gods: Hekate, Tyche, Nike, June 13 CM Chapter 15 (P. 359-387) Review for exam (if time permits) June 18 Exam (hours 1-2), Library Research for Paper Study for the EXAM Deified Heroes: Asclepius (Epidauros), Ekroth and Larson, CM Chapter 22 (P. June 20 Herakles (Olympia) 562-588) Roman Religion and Roman Divinities: Janus, CM Chapter 25 (P. 643-672), Chapter June 25 Silvanus, Vesta, Genius, Lares, Penates, Manes 26 (P. 673-710) Paper Due. Eastern Divinities & Mystery CM Chapter 16 (P. 388-406) PAPER June 27 Cults: Cybele, Isis, Mithras DUE at start of class Judaism and Christianity, The "Death" of the July 2 Elsner and Gordon Pagan Gods, 20th & 21st Century "gods"