William Sterling

Head of one of the four horses of the moon goddess Selene from the northern end of the East Pediment of the Parthenon in Athens c. 420 BC, currently in the British Museum. One of the most popular of the so-called Elgin Marbles which Lord Elgin rescued from Athens in the early nineteenth century. The East Pediment showed the birth of Athena as she burst out of the head of her father, Zeus, and the reaction of those who were present. Although all the central figures are long gone at either end are depictions of the sun god Helios rising from the sea with his four horse chariot and the moon goddess Selene returning to the sea with hers showing that Athena was born at dawn. Image © Trustees of the British Museum

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Greek Heroes

November 19, 2011 @ 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

$37

The myths surrounding the lives and exploits of three great Greek heroes as depicted in the art and literature of Ancient Greece and its continuing influence. This is a follow up course to the Trojan War last year so will not cover those heroes again.

Heracles is particularly famous for his twelve labours and these will be outlined and illustrated. He also had other myths surrounding his birth and death and other exploits which will also be covered. He was one of the companions chose by Jason to sail on the Argo on the quest for the Golden Fleece. This is the major story that will be covered for Jason but his tragic affair with Medea and their sad fates will also be covered. Theseus’s main claim to fame was his victory over the Minotaur but his other exploits will be covered including his marriage to the Amazon queen which was the starting point for Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

This course is to be run at the City Lit and British Museum.

Details

Date:
November 19, 2011
Time:
10:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost:
$37

Venue

City Lit and British Museum
Keeley Street and Great Russell Street
London, United Kingdom

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