Department of Classical Studies

February 24, 2022: Classical Studies Virtual Speaker Series

Prof. Jonathan Burgess, University of Toronto

Polyphemus is routinely called a "monster" but both Homer and Odysseus describe the Cyclopes as human. After exploration of teratological terminology also employed in description of Polyphemus, as well as consideration of conflicting evidence (like divine parents for Polyphemus), I argue that Odysseus' concern is ethnography. I situate his description of the Homeric Cyclopes as exotic humans within the context of ancient ethnography of peripheral and anomalous peoples.

4:45 pm

Location: Zoom lecture (register here)

Contact Lindsey Mazurek (linmazur@indiana.edu) for more info