Language/Literature

Proteus’ skill and the fictionality of myth

In Lucian’s dialogue On pantomime one of the characters, Lycinus, explains that Proteus, the mythical master of metamorphoses, was really just a very skilled dancer, a proto-typical pantomime-performer. This reinterpretation of Proteus’ metamorphoses as a form of artistic skill is quite remarkable and invites some further reflection on the relationship… Read more

Theôría

The ancient Greek notion of theôría (θεωρία) is of unquestionable cultural importance. Not only does it speak immediately to the ancient Greek festival as a cultural institution; philosophers  seized on it as their preeminent metaphor for philosophical reflection. Most agree that it has to do with… Read more

Remembering Traianos Gagos

On 24 April 2010, Traianos Gagos, Professor of Greek and Papyrology at the University of Michigan and Archivist of Papyrology in the University of Michigan Library, passed away as a result of an accident at his home. He was only 49. The loss of this beautiful man,… Read more

“Hail, Caesar” said the parrot

The “Garland of Philip”, published around AD 40, contains numerous epigrams addressed to Roman patrons and members of the Imperial household. One of the authors included in Philip’s anthology is Crinagoras of Mitylene, who – as several inscriptions attest – served as ambassador between Rome and his native city. Among… Read more