August 2019: by Prof. Julia Kindt It may be tempting to think we already know Socrates, the Athenian philosopher whose most famous dictum remains that he was wise only insofar as he was aware of his own ignorance. Although Socrates … Continue reading
The Frogs Chorus in Aristophanes Frogs: competing with Dionysus Dionysus is rowing across the lake of the Underworld to a steady rhythm when he is interrupted by the frog chorus, singing to the accompaniment of the aulos (a double pipe, … Continue reading
Kaineus Rising: A Trans Generational Myth Kaineus always knew he was meant to be a girl. Growing up amid the hills and vales of Thessaly in what is now northern Greece, he … Continue reading
Judgment and Misjudgment in Ancient Greece Paper delivered to the New Imago Forum, 15 September 2019 There’s a joke about a rabbi who was greatly respected for his judgment. Two neighbours had a dispute and came to him to adjudicate. … Continue reading
Paper delivered at the New Imago Forum Conference on ‘Money’, September 2015 The uselessness of money and the perversity of unlimit A fable of Aesop tells of a man who hid his gold at the foot of a tree in … Continue reading
The poet Catullus (c. 84-54 BC) imagines showing off to visitors a toy boat, and listening to it describing in its own voice the journey it could claim to have … Continue reading
Herodotus’ mentions of Heineken constitute a hitherto unsuspected instance of product placement in ancient Greek writing. In Histories 1.2.2, Heineken — εἵνεκεν in ancient Greek — is found in connection with the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts to Colchis. The implication is … Continue reading