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Greek and Roman Religion (370-0-1)

Topic

Sacred Space in the Ancient Mediterranean

Instructors

Sarah Alison Eisen

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-329: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

Religion permeated every aspect of life in the ancient Mediterranean. Even though it was believed that one could encounter the gods anywhere, some places were more sacred than others, and over time the concept of a sanctuary formed. This course will investigate sacred spaces in the ancient Mediterranean, with a focus on Greece and Rome. We will ask: what made one place more sacred than others? What activities and rituals occurred in a sanctuary? How can we recognize a sanctuary archaeologically, and how were they discussed in ancient literature? By investigating ancient sacred spaces, students will explore the social, political, and economic realities and imaginations of religious spaces as they effected polities, empires, and interconnected cultures.

Class Materials (Required)

Pedley, John. Sanctuaries and the Sacred in the Ancient Greek World. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN-13: ‎ 978-0521006354

Class Attributes

Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area