Imagining the Olympians | Deceptively Human Behaviour

Lecture series of three illustrated talks exploring how the gods of Ancient Greece and Rome have been envisaged in art through the centuries

Thursday 12th March | 6pm

Imagining the Olympians – a series of three illustrated talks exploring how the gods of Ancient Greece and Rome have been envisaged in art through the centuries

The great dynasty of gods who were worshipped throughout the worlds of Ancient Greece and (via their Latin equivalents) Rome may have lost their power to inspire belief, but have hardly faded from our culture. Part of their attraction comes from the fact that they acted (often badly) like humans, displaying traits of character we can all recognise with lives featuring plots, adventures and relationships. Just as important is the fact that they, and the narratives that embodied them, were represented, not just in grand temple sculptures but in paintings and mosaics, on vases and domestic items. So we know how they were envisaged – and we go on knowing as their representation has continued through the Christian period, with different styles, functions and meanings, and still flourishes in contemporary popular culture.

A Gail-Nina Anderson Lecture

Talk 3 of 3

Deceptively Human Behaviour Gods whose roles, emotions and interactions make enduring narratives

Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares, Hermes, Dionysus.

(Venus, Vulcan, Mars, Mercury, Bacchus)

The power of these gods directly reflects human activities, roles and emotions - war and love, the working of metal, the rule-breaking potency of wine and the significance of the messenger whose interactions can link the realms of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld.

Priority booking for members for series until 26th January

A LIVE Lit & Phil Event | £5

(If you would prefer to book directly over the phone, please call the Library Desk team on 0191 232 0192 and they will be happy to help)