Preparing and Delivering a Classical School Assembly by William Lawrence

other objects demonstrate the lasting introducing the subjects (especially Introduction influence of the classics on later Classical Civilisation). generations in a powerful visual way. The purpose of this article is to (vii) The school assembly is often an encourage classical colleagues to develop (iii) You get an instant reaction from under-utilised resource for subject their own illustrated talks to deliver to pupils after each assembly whereas teachers. The chance of talking to a school assemblies (both senior and day-to-day teaching is usually a large audience is an opportunity junior). In my experience, an illustrated long-term process without the same worth seizing. It provides a great talk goes down well with any audience kind of immediate feedback. This chance to encourage children to take (whatever its age) and can have an instant feedback keeps you on your an imaginative interest in the classical immediate impact on their view of the toes and provides great world. Longer talks (e.g. the Aeneid) classical world (especially its ‘relevance’). encouragement! can often be delivered over a series Assemblies can be delivered in many of assemblies to the same audience. ways: a talk; interactive; class presentation (iv) You are talking to potential recruits etc. This article concentrates only on the for your subjects at GCSE and A (viii) Headteachers or staff in charge of preparation and delivery of an illustrated level in senior schools and can organising assemblies are usually talk. I have divided the article into four develop assemblies for different very grateful for volunteers and are sections: the value of classical assemblies; Year Groups or several Year Groups often happy to allocate several tips on preparing and delivering together. For those who have never assemblies over a week in order to assemblies; resources and copyright; and sampled the classics or those who pursue a theme (e.g. Herakles’ an example of a classical assembly have relinquished the subjects, an Labours). (The Adventures of Theseus). inspiring talk can remind them of the value of the classical world in A. Value of Classical Assemblies ways they might not have supposed. B. Tips on preparing and delivering (v) You have the chance to inspire an assembly (i) You have the chance to interest a large youngsters in junior schools and audience in your subject. You may be promote their enthusiasm for the (i) Equipment needed: Laptop; USB talking to groups of 100 pupils or subjects beyond their time at junior (back-up); Laser-pointer; CD more without the constraints of school. With Years 3–6, an illustrated (music) for entry/exit; CD player; syllabus/exam pressures. talk can excite them at an early age index-cards (talk). and may encourage them to choose a (ii) You can explore different themes and classical subject later at senior school. (ii) Play some appropriate music while ideas with complete freedom in the the audience is assembling (start) manner you choose (set talk or (vi) In schools where classical subjects and leaving (end). It helps to set interactive). Images of vase-paintings, are unavailable, an illustrated talk the atmosphere and settle them sculpture, mosaics, paintings and might create an interest in down.

The Journal of Classics Teaching 19 (38) p.91-95 © The Classical Association 2018. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Downloaded Creativefrom https://www.cambridge.org/core Commons Attribution licence. IP address: (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), 170.106.40.40, on 02 Oct 2021 at 07:39:56, subject which to permits the Cambridge unrestricted Core terms re-use, of use, distribution, available at and reproduction 91 https://www.cambridge.org/core/termsin any medium, provided. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631018000247the original work is properly cited. (iii) Use index-cards/plain postcards to (ii) Google Images* half-human, half-beast nature of the plan your points in note form for each Minotaur). picture. This will help you memorise (iii) e.g. Greek Myths handbooks (e.g. your talk as you compose it. Tales of The Greek Heroes by Roger 2. Theseus lifts the stone to find the Lancelyn-Green) sword and sandals left by Aegeus (iv) Think pictorially and illustrate your (sculpture). Theseus was born in theme with appropriate pictures and *Copyright issues: www.copyrightuser. Troezen (map); the son of Aegeus, king maps. org is a very useful website to consult. It of Athens, and Aethra, daughter of states that the use of copyright material is Pittheus, king of Troezen. (Point out (v) Number your pictures and write a permitted for educational purposes as Troezen and Athens on map) caption for each one to remind long as: yourself of key points. 3. Map showing location of Troezen and (a) The purpose of the use is non- Athens (map). Aegeus had left (vi) Make each picture come alive so your commercial (i.e. you are not charging Theseus to be brought up in Troezen; audience knows why you’ve chosen a fee for your talk). had a good start as a young lad (aged that particular picture. seven) meeting the great hero (b) Sufficient credit is given to the Herakles; demonstrated his courage (vii) Look at your audience and maintain author of the image. on seeing Herakles’ lion-skin helmet eye contact. Try to deliver your talk which was so lifelike the other boys ran without the index-cards as your talk (c) The use of the material is fair. away in terror. Theseus attacked it with will be much more effective. (Use an axe! Theseus was inspired to follow the index-cards only as a prompt). Herakles’ example in ridding the world D. Example Assembly: The of monsters. (Point out Herakles’ (viii) Be enthusiastic and try to keep your distinctive dress: lion-skin helmet; great talk moving fluently at pace. Try to Adventures of Theseus (39 slides) knotted club; bow and arrows; Herakless tell a story. based on R. Lancelyn-Green’s 4th Labour – the Erymanthian Boar). (ix) Have a dramatic opening and ending version 4. Herakles (vase-painting) inspires to create an impact at the start and at young Theseus; Herakles’s 4th the finish. This talk could be split into Theseus’ Labour (vase-painting). Aegeus had adventures on the way to Athens and Theseus left a sword and sandals beneath a and the Minotaur. Each slide has a caption great rock to test his son Theseus or title to remind me of key points or for when he came of age. If he lifted C. Resources and Copyright the audience to read. For the purposes of the rock and found them, he was to this article, we have not included every travel straight to Athens to help his (i) Your own resources (digital photos) slide. The details give a flavour of the father Aegeus against his enemies. and departmental resources (digital images and the sort of commentary. For (Point out Theseus, now a young man, photos, books etc) full details, contact the author. straining to lift the rock to find the sword and sandals accompanied by his mother Aethra who points towards the startling objects underneath).

5. Theseus lifts the stone to find the sword and sandals left by Aegeus (Laurent La Hire – painting). Same as 4. (Point out Theseus’ immense struggle to lift the rock; Aethra pointing to the objects beneath; remind audience of Troezen and Athens on the map).

6. Theseus lifts the stone to find the sword and sandals left by Aegeus (Nicolas Poussin – painting).

7. Map showing Theseus’ journey overland from Troezen to Athens 1. Theseus’ adventures (vase-painting legendary king of Athens; Theseus (map). Aethra begged Theseus to with Minotaur at the centre of the great friend of the hero Herakles. take the shorter, safer sea route to vase-painting). Theseus the hero (Point out Theseus taking the bull by Athens to avoid the villains plaguing who killed the Minotaur; Theseus the horns and killing the Minotaur; the land route but Theseus was

Downloaded92 from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.40Preparing, on 02 and Oct Delivering 2021 at 07:39:56 a Classical, subject School to the Assembly Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631018000247 determined to help his fellow men at Theseus suspiciously; Marathon (map); 23. King Minos’ magnificent palace of (like Herakles) and rid the world of Theseus ‘taking the bull by the horns’ and Knossos (2nd illustration of Knossos). villains and monsters. (Point out leading it in triumph to Athens). Aegeus sends Theseus off with an Theseus’ route and very briefly the army to defeat his enemies (his monsters Theseus defeats on his way (as brother Pallas and his fifty sons). this talk concentrates on the Minotaur); Theseus returns to Athens to find the point out shorter, safer route by sea). whole city in mourning and discovers that King Minos of Crete has sent his 8. Theseus defeats Periphetes the ambassadors to demand the annual Clubman at Epidauros (vase-painting tribute of seven young men and and map). seven young girls to be fed to the Minotaur (= the bull of Minos) in the 9. Theseus defeats Sinis the Pinebender Labyrinth on Crete. Minos, owner of at Corinth (vase-painting and map). the greatest navy in the Greek world, had imposed this punishment on 10. Theseus defeats Sinis the Pinebender Athens because his son had been at Corinth (illustration). killed while visiting Athens and trying 19. Theseus sacrifices the Cretan bull on to capture the Bull of Marathon. 11. Theseus defeats Sciron beyond the the Acropolis (photo of the Minos, however, believed that the Isthmus of Corinth (vase-painting). Acropolis). (Point out Theseus, with his Athenians had murdered his son club, ‘taking the bull by the horns’ and because of their jealousy of his great 12. Theseus defeats Sciron beyond the leading it in triumph to Athens; explain athletic skills and their jealousy of Isthmus of Corinth (2nd vase-painting English expression ‘to take the bull by the Minos’ great power. (Point out Crete and map). horns’.) Theseus sacrifices the Bull on (map) and location of Knossos (the great the Acropolis and prepares for a great palace of Minos); the half-human, half-bull 13. Theseus defeats Cercyon at Eleusis feast with king Aegeus. Medea, Minotaur; different interpretations of son’s (vase-painting and map). alarmed at his success, persuades death; conspiracy-theories?) Aegeus that Theseus is a deadly threat 14. Reminder of Theseus’ adventures so to him and prepares a cup of 24. Theseus leaves for Crete in a ship with far (two maps – one illustrating poisoned wine for the feast. (Point out black sails. Aegeus watches him leave villains’ abodes). the Acropolis = High City; point out that (two illustrations). Theseus volunteers Acropolis is just a high rock in Theseus’ to go to Crete immediately to his 15. Theseus defeats Procrustes and fits time). father’s great dismay and sets sail for him to his notorious bed (vase- Crete with the other ‘prisoners’. painting). 20. Theseus’s stepmother tries to poison Aegeus makes him promise to change him but Aegeus recognises his son the ship’s dark funeral sails to white 16. Theseus defeats Procrustes and (W Russell Flint – painting). At the ones on his return to show that he has fits him to his notorious bed feast Theseus draws his sword ready been successful. (Point out Aegeus in (2nd vase-painting). to carve the best meat from the bull great distress watching Theseus sail away; just as Medea offers him the poisoned Theseus’ ship with the dark funeral sails and 17. Theseus meets his father and chalice (picture). Aegeus recognises the Theseus on deck; ship’s eye to see where the stepmother in Athens but does not sword and dashes the poisoned cup ship is going and avert bad luck). reveal himself (illustration and map). from Theseus’ hand. Father and son are reunited as Medea flees. (Point out 25. Theseus arrives, excels in athletic 18. Theseus deals with the Cretan Bull at Medea offering Theseus the poisoned chalice competitions and wins Ariadne’s heart Marathon (vase-painting and map) (left); Aegeus recognising the sword (two vase-paintings). Theseus and the Theseus arrives in Athens and meets (top-right) and knocking over the poisoned young Athenians arrive at Knossos – king Aegeus but his father does not wine on the table (top-right); Medea Minos’ splendid palace with its many recognise him. However, his wife preparing to flee (top-right) as everyone looks rooms, central courtyard and (Medea the sorceress) recognises at her; Acropolis visible in background magnificent frescoes. (Point out location Theseus and warns king Aegeus (top-right); Aegeus recognising his son of Knossos (map); splendid palace; central against him. Medea persuaded (bottom-right) and Medea preparing to flee). courtyard; bull-leaping and dolphin frescoes). Aegeus to send Theseus away to The young Athenians take part in capture the Bull of Marathon which 21. Theseus learns about the Minotaur racing and boxing contests before had been devastating the land and and King Minos’ tribute demands Minos and his court. Theseus excels in killing the local inhabitants in the (vase-painting and map of Crete) all the competitions and wins the heart hope he would be killed as many of Ariadne, Minos’ daughter who before him. (Point out Theseus’ arrival 22. King Minos’ magnificent palace of determines to help him. (Point out typical and reception in Athens; Aegeus unaware Knossos (illustration and map of foot-race (sprint) and boxing contest with one that this is his son Theseus; Medea glancing Crete showing location of Knossos) boxer submitting by raising his hand).

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.40Preparing, on and 02 DeliveringOct 2021 at a 07:39:56 Classical, subject School to Assembly the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at 93 https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631018000247 26. Ariadne helps Theseus enter the Minotaur’s names in Greek (left); Theseus (Point out Ariadne’s despair as Theseus’ Labyrinth (Jean-Baptiste Regnault killing the Minotaur (left) with a sword; the ship sails away in the distance (left); painting). Ariadne visits Theseus at Minotaur weak at the knees, kneeling and Ariadne turns away and cannot bear to look night and gives him a ball of thread. spilling blood (left); Theseus defeating the (left); Ariadne in shock and dismay (right) She tells him to unwind it behind him Minotaur (right) with the Minotaur raises her arms in distress while a weeping as he makes his way to the centre of kneeling and clearly shedding blood). Eros attends her.) the Labyrinth and to follow it back to the entrance, if he is successful. 29. Theseus defeats the Minotaur The sleeping Ariadne abandoned Ariadne will wait for him at the door (2nd vase-painting). Theseus kills the by Theseus on Naxos. (Point out but Theseus must take her to Athens Minotaur. (Point out Theseus killing the Ariadne asleep; blissfully unaware that because she will not be safe after Minotaur with his sword; the Minotaur Theseus is abandoning her; Theseus’ ship helping him to escape the labyrinth. down on his knees in a position of leaving the harbour in the early dawn; the Theseus promises to do so. (Point out submission; blood pouring from his wounds; leopards - one prowling; one asleep under Ariadne giving Theseus the ball of thread at Theseus dragging the dead Minotaur Ariadne’s couch perhaps pointing to her night and the instructions for escaping the towards the entrance of the Labyrinth (?) future rescue by Dionysus the god) Labyrinth; Theseus entering the Labyrinth watched by Athene, patron goddess of with the ball of thread and a sword while Athens; point out Athene’s spear, helmet Ariadne clings to his arm; the entrance of and aegis (as goddess of war); explain the the Labyrinth). aegis and point out Medusa the Gorgon’s face on the aegis). 27. The Labyrinth of Knossos (mosaic; plan of the palace showing its 30. Theseus and Ariadne set sail to Naxos complicated nature). Ariadne helps (vase-painting of ship; map showing Theseus to enter the Labyrinth. (Point Naxos). Theseus and Ariadne set sail out Theseus ready to enter the Labyrinth for Athens stopping at Naxos on the with his sword drawn and clutching the ball way. (Point out ship; the location of Crete, of thread in Ariadne’s hand; Ariadne’s Naxos and Athens). devoted glance towards Theseus; the entrance to the Labyrinth with the statue of the Minotaur at the entrance; the House of 33. Dionysus rescues Ariadne (Titian Theseus mosaic from Paphos (Cyprus) with – painting). Dionysus, god of wine, its maze-like concentric circles representing drama and mystery-rites, comes to the the twisting Labyrinth with Ariadne, rescue accompanied by his band of Theseus, the Labyrinth and the Minotaur satyrs (half-human, woodland all labelled in the central panel). creatures), maenads (female followers) and other creatures. He 28. Theseus defeats the Minotaur rescues Ariadne and marries her. (vase-painting). Theseus makes his (Point out the youthful Dionysus (left) way to the very heart of the Labyrinth wreathed with vine-leaves; the satyrs – one to meet the Minotaur in the dim, wreathed with snakes (left); the maenads gloomy light. He has already heard dancing with cymbals and tambourines (left); the Minotaur’s bellowing from far 31. Theseus abandons Ariadne on Naxos Ariadne on the shore perhaps pointing to the away. Theseus meets the Minotaur at (vase-painting). Theseus abandons crown of stars which later ensured her the very centre of the maze. Some the sleeping Ariadne on Naxos and immortality – the Corona Borealis versions say Theseus was armed steals away at night. (Point out the (Northern Crown) based on the crown (sword, club or axe); others that he sleeping Ariadne in both vase-paintings; which Dionysus gave her; point out defeated the Minotaur with his bare Theseus preparing to steal away and board Dionysus finding the sleeping Ariadne hands by continually striking it over his ship (left); the gods overseeing the action (right) accompanied by Eros (god of love) the heart until it weakened, then Athena (left) and Hermes (right); the god of with his bow and arrows; Dionysus (right) ‘taking the bull by the horns’ and sleep Hypnos (or Eros?) hovering over the wreathed in vine leaves carries a thyrsus forcing its neck backwards until it sleeping Ariadne; point out the location of – his special wand with magical powers). cracked and the Minotaur lay dead. Crete, Naxos and Athens). Dionysus rescues Ariadne on Naxos. (Point out Theseus and the Minotaur doing (Point out (left) Dionysus and a Cupid with battle at the centre of the Labyrinth; the 32. Theseus abandons Ariadne on Naxos Dionysus’ special wand – the thyrsus; Minotaur on his knees about to be defeated (Angelica Kauffmann – painting). Dionysus’ companions revelling in the (mosaic); the complicated plan of Minos’s Ariadne awakes in the morning to background with musical instruments palace – a confusing maze to a stranger and find herself abandoned by Theseus. (tambourines); Dionysus’ left hand flinging perhaps the origin of the Labyrinth?). In her despair and bewilderment, she a crown towards the heavens – a reference Same as 25. Theseus defeating the perhaps cursed Theseus as she saw perhaps to the crown of stars which later Minotaur. (Point out Theseus and the his ship sailing away without her. ensured her immortality – the Corona

Downloaded94 from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.40.40Preparing, on 02 and Oct Delivering 2021 at 07:39:56 a Classical, subject School to the Assembly Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631018000247 Borealis (Northern Crown) based on the and map). (Point out Cape Sounion at the who unified the territory of Attica as crown which Dionysus gave her; point out southernmost tip of Attica with its temple to one state with Athens as its capital. (right) Dionysus offers his hand to a weeping Poseidon (god of the sea) – an obvious He also had other adventures: he was Ariadne; Cupid stands nearby with his bow vantage point for Aegeus to await Theseus’ an Argonaut on Jason’s expedition to and arrows; meanwhile Aphrodite (?) holds return.) win the Golden Fleece and was a a crown above Ariadne’s head – perhaps generous friend to heroes such as another allusion to the crown of stars which 37. Aegeus may have thrown himself off Oedipus and Herakles. (Point out statue later ensured her immortality – the Corona the promontory at Sounion (photo of of Theseus in Athens with its inscription; Borealis (Northern Crown)). Cape Sounion at sunset). Cape Attica (map) with Athens as the capital). Sounion at sunset with its Temple of Theseus, however, will always be 34. Aegeus watches the ship return with Poseidon (god of the sea) – a much remembered for his most famous black sails and throws himself into more likely place for King Aegeus to exploit: the daring journey into the the sea in despair (illustration). keep a look out and hurl himself into heart of the Labyrinth and the killing Theseus forgets to change the dark the sea after seeing his son’s ship of the Minotaur which gives us the funeral sails; so his father Aegeus, return with the dark funeral sails. expression to take the bull by the horns! watching for his return, believes him (Point out Cape Sounion and the Temple of (Point out central scene – the Minotaur; dead and hurls himself into the sea Poseidon; Cape Sounion’s position on the point out his other deeds on the periphery: from the Rock of the Acropolis or map; vase-paintings of Poseidon (god of the the defeat of the villains Periphetes, Sinis, more probably from the rocky sea) with Poseidon and his trident astride a Sciron, Cercyon and Procrustes) vantage point of Cape Sounion at the sea-horse (horse’s head; sea-horse tail; squid southernmost tip of Attica. (Point out decorations to represent the sea; Poseidon as dark funeral sails; the ship’s eye – see slide a warrior-god with his trident). Postscript 24; Aegeus watching for Theseus’ return from his vantage point (either the Acropolis 38. Aegeus threw himself into the Aegean If you have a go at putting together an or Cape Sounion; Acropolis (map); Cape Sea named after him assembly and delivering it, I am sure that Sounion). (illustration + map showing the Aegean you will enjoy it; more to the point, your Sea). Aegeus hurls himself into the sea pupils certainly will and will tell you so! 35. Aegeus throws himself from the which ever after was known as the Acropolis according to the story Aegean Sea. (Point out Aegeus preparing to (photo of the Acropolis). Aegeus, hurl himself into the sea on believing William Lawrence has a range of apparently, threw himself off the Theseus dead; the Aegean Sea (map) and classical talks suitable for school Acropolis to his death. (Point out that islands). assemblies and is very happy to Aegeus threw himself into the sea which visit schools with them. He can be later became known as the Aegean Sea; 39. Theseus became the great king of contacted on his classical talks impossible from the landlocked Acropolis!) Athens revered in Greek Tragedy email (classical.talks@yahoo. (photo of statue of Theseus). co.uk). The talks are FREE (except 36. Aegeus may have thrown himself off Theseus became the great king of for expenses). the promontory at Sounion (photo Athens and was heralded as the king