Epic Women

In this event two leading figures in classical reception, and advocates of classical education for all, view the reception of Homeric epic through the lens of contemporary social issues.

Edith Hall is a Professor of Classics specializing in the study of ethnicity, class and gender in ancient sources, ancient theatre, and the instrumentality of ancient ideas in world culture. Natalie Haynes, a classicist, performer, broadcaster and author, looks at ancient myth through the prism of contemporary social realities. In her book A Thousand Ships she re-tells the story of the Trojan War through the perspective of the female characters - a revolutionary act that challenges the audience’s relationship with classical texts. This novel is one in a series of contemporary re-tellings and new translations of Homer by female authors, revealing a radical change in the reception of Homeric epic in recent years.

The event will focus on the study of the classical canon in the context of contemporary social developments as well as how this is expressed in mainstream culture. The point of departure is contemporary reception of Homeric epic across media and genres and novels such as A Thousand Ships which pose the questions: when we re-tell these stories, how do we remember the women, the slaves, the marginalized? When we look at these foundation myths today, what are we saying about the future of our society?

Supported by the National Machinery for Women’s Rights, KPMG Cyprus, Nicosia Municiplality and Digital Tree e-publishers.

Information / Reservations
99602428, 96500767