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