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News and Events

Department of Classical Studies

 

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Upcoming Events

Millsaps to Host Dr. Katherine Dunbabin for the 2012 Norton Lecture on National Archaeology Day, Oct. 20, 2012

Dr. Michael Galaty (Anthropology), Dr. Holly M. Sypniewski and Dr. David Yates founded a local society of the Archaeological Institute of America to promote interest in world archaeology. Our chapter was recently chosen to host Dr. Katherine Dunbabin for one of the most prestigious lectures that the AIA sponsors. Dr. Dunbabin is an expert on Roman mosaics and the author of award winning books on Roman mosaics and on Roman dining practices. She will visit Millsaps on Oct. 20 and give a public lecture on her work in Roman archaeology and art. More details will follow.

We encourage Jacksonians and central Mississippians to join our local society (Central MS / Jackson #251) and become a member of Archaeological Institute of America. Our monthly meetings feature archaeology lectures by local experts and are open to anyone.

 

Fall 2012 Events

The REAL Greek Week II (October 17-20)
Join us for a week of fantastic events celebrating the legacy of the Greco-Roman world. ALL EVENTS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Roman Delicacies (Wednesday October 17 at 11 in front of the CAF):
Ever wonder what the ancient Romans ate? Students from Prof. Jennifer Lewton-Yates' Roman Legacy class will serve authentic Roman appetizers to the diners in the CAF. First come, first served!

Besieging the Bowl (Wednesday October 17 at 1 in the Bowl):
See a live display of Greek military formations and tactics. Under the command of Dr. David Yates, 50 + Millsaps students, armed with PVC-pipe spears, will march up and down the Bowl demonstrating the maneuvers that won the battle of Thermopylae and helped Alexander the Great conquer the known world. In case of rain, this event will be held at 1 on Thursday the 18th.

"Have a Beer, Bible Reader" (Wednesday October 17 at 6:15 in Olin 100):
What was the 'beer culture' of the ancient Eastern Mediterranean and Fertile Crescent? Did Jesus drink Lite Beer, or was he strictly a Wine Man? And the prophets? Surely they were drinking something! Come explore the ancient beer making with Dr. James Bowley, Religious Studies.

Movie Night: Wrath of the Titans (Thursday October 18 at 6 in Olin 100):
Watch Perseus brave the underworld to rescue his father, Zeus, captured by Ares and Hades who unleash the ancient Titans upon the world. Prof. Jennifer Lewton-Yates will lead a brief discussion placing the film within the context of real Greek mythology (no easy task!).

"Persepolis Burning": A Friday Forum Lecture (Friday October 19 at 12:30 in AC 215):
Before Persepolis was an award-winning graphic autobiography, it was the capitol of the grand Persian Empire. 2300 years ago Alexander the Great captured the city and faced a dilemma about its fate. He chose to destroy it utterly. Come and see how the ramifications of his decision can still be felt today in this lecture by Dr. David Yates.

"The Romans at Dinner: A View from Archaeology and Art" (Saturday October 20 at 5:30 in the AC Recital Hall):
A Norton Lecture of the Archaeological Institute of America
Dinner for the ancient Romans was the central function of social life, and a formal dinner party was governed by numerous rules. Some Roman dining conventions are still in use, but many are now unfamiliar, such as the practice of reclining on a couch, which had been adopted by the Romans from Greeks. While written sources have much to say about Roman dining habits, their evidence can be expanded, enriched, and sometimes challenged by that of archaeology and art. Join world-renowned archaeologist Katherine Dunbabin as she explores the various customs of ancient dining and how they illustrate the attitudes and ideology of their creators and viewers.

 

Past Events

Mississippi Junior Classical League Statewide Convention
Friday, February 24th, 2012
Hosted by the Department of Classical Studies at Millsaps College. For more information, visit the National Junior Classical League, or view the JCL Convention Program Flyer (PDF) for a full schedule of events.

We had an excellent time with students from eleven schools from throughout Mississippi! See our Facebook page for more photos.


PHOTO: February Madness! Certamen teams from SBEC and Warren Central wait to buzz in as Dr. Yates reads another question in the second bracket of the 2012 Certamen MS State Championship.

 

"Latin from the Other Side of the Desk"
Classical Studies pizza dinner with two local Latin teachers.
Tues. April 12, 5-7 pm

Hear two perspectives on teaching Latin after graduation from
Philip Cortese (Millsaps, 2009) a 7th-8th grade Latin teacher at St. Andrew's Middle School,
Micah Everson (U. of Montana, 2010) a Latin and English teacher at Murrah High with Teach for America.

Sponsored by the Committee for the Promotion of Latin, as part of the National Latin Teacher Recruitment Week.

End-of-the-Year Classics Party for CLST Students
Wednesday, April 20th, 5 - 7 p.m. at John Stone Hall
The Department of Classical Studies invites majors and minors, Greco-Roman sympathizers, and anyone in a CLST class to join us at John Stone Hall for a mediterranean celebration in honor of the our graduating majors and minors. Catch up with your friends and celebrate the end of the new year. Catering by Aladdin's.

The REAL Greek Week, Sept. 27-30
Classical Studies celebrated and promoted ancient Greek culture and its traditions with a full week of fantastic events.

"Beseiging the Bowl"! - September 27
Millsaps students marched in ancient military formation armed with PVC spears to demonstrate Greek hoplite tactics under the leadership of Dr. Yates. Later that evening, Dr. Yates' Core 2 class, "Warfare in Ancient Society" watched and discussed 300 after "beseiging the Bowl." How did Millsaps measure up to the Spartan phalanx?


Joe Goodkin's Odyssey - September 28
Chicago musician Joe Goodkin gave a fantastic performance of his Odyssey and led a discussion about his creative process when he reinterpreted Homer's timeless epic. Joe wrote a cycle of 24 short songs--vignettes from the Odyssey--that he sings and plays uninterrupted from the storm at sea in book 1 to the close of book 24 when Odysseus relinquishes the last token of his 10-year sea voyage.  Visit Joe's website to find out more about how and when you can hear him perform.

Dr. Joe Rife's Archaeology Presentation- September 30
Greek Week closed with Dr. Joe Rife's lecture, "The Quick and the Dead in Ancient Greece: the History and Archaeology of a Roman Port." Dr. Rife is Associate Professor of Classics and Anthropology at Vanderbilt University. For several years he has lead an international team of researchers at the major site of Kenchreai, the Roman era port at Corinth Greece. His presentation demonstrated how one well-preserved site, and in particular its private homes and cemeteries, teaches us a great deal about society, religion, and culture in the eastern Roman provinces. He discussed the importance of examining material remains alongside ancient literature when exploring the past through such diverse topics as sepulchral and domestic architecture, epitaphs, burial rituals, human and animal bones, and wall-painting.

The departments of Classical Studies and Sociology-Anthropology at Millsaps are exploring a partnership with Dr. Rife's dig at Kenchreai. We hope to provide the opportunity for two Millsaps students each year to work in Kenchreai with Dr. Rife's team of students and researchers from colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

 

Interested in things Classical?
Classics Club is open to any and all Millsaps students. Contact Brandi Buckler, the current president, to get involved.