Triumvir Clio

Greek Myth XXXVI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter II – Proteus, Proetides, or The Mad Women of Argos

Fighting twins and mad women make up the tales in today’s selection from the Bibliotheca. Discussion Prompts Retell the story from the perspective of Lysippe, Iphinoe, and/or Iphianassa. How might you reimagine earlier myths with the knowledge that shields weren’t invented until Acrius and Proteus come along? Which god cursed Lysippe, Iphinoe, and Iphianassa: Dionysus orContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXVI: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter II – Proteus, Proetides, or The Mad Women of Argos”

Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 2, or We Finally Hear About the Horse

I knew there was a horse in Troy! I’m not finding a royalty-free photo of the Bernini’s “Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius,” but you can read all about it at the Museo Borghese website here. Is it Bernini’s best? Meh. But I still love his work. I was, however, able to find a royalty-free picture ofContinue reading “Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 2, or We Finally Hear About the Horse”

Roman Comedy XXVII: Humanism in Roman Comedy

We wrap up the Roman comedies in today’s episode. Roman comedies are very domestic, so they have much to say about human relationships. What do they tell us about being parents or children? Neighbors? Husbands? Wives? Siblings? Friends? Any of the other relationships we’ve seen? Roman comedies are also filled with stock characters. What doContinue reading “Roman Comedy XXVII: Humanism in Roman Comedy”

Greek Myth XXXV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter I – Io, Danaides, or Poor Unfortunate Souls

Io and the Danaids get tossed around in today’s chapter of the Bibliotheca. Discussion Prompts Retell this chapter from the point of view of Io. Or Hypermnestra. Or any of the other Danaids. What do you think of Hera’s treatment of Io? What do you think of Zeus’s treatment of her? Retell this chapter from theContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book II, Chapter I – Io, Danaides, or Poor Unfortunate Souls”

Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 1, or Joanie Loves Chachi, I Mean, Juno Loves Carthage

Aeneas gets shipwrecked in Book 1 of The Aeneid. Discussion Prompts What does Juno’s love of Carthage say about her relationship to Rome? AP Credit: Roman imperialism as shown in this book. And… GO! How much free will does Dido have? Why? How would you feel about having Venus as your mother? Why? AP Credit:Continue reading “Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 1, or Joanie Loves Chachi, I Mean, Juno Loves Carthage”

Roman Comedy XXVI: Terence’s Adelphoe, or Oh Brother!

Terence takes a stab at the Mommy Wars in Adelphoe. Discussion Prompts Whose parenting style is superior: Micio’s or Demea’s? Why? Retell this story from the point-of-view of Bacchis or Pamphila. What do Micio’s circumstances at the end of the play tell us about the expectations of a proper Roman man? Directing questions: vision? theme? modernContinue reading “Roman Comedy XXVI: Terence’s Adelphoe, or Oh Brother!”

Greek Myth XXXIV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter IX – Sons of Aeolus, Melampus, Admetus, Pelias, Argonauts, or Proof That These “Chapters” are Arbitrary

It’s Medea time! Discussion Prompts Does Helle serve a larger purpose than providing the name to the Hellespont? If so, what? AP Credit: Discuss the relationship between serpents and understanding the language of birds in various myths. How do you think Alcestis gets out of the underworld? With Persephone’s permission? Or with Heracles’s prowess? WhyContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXIV: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter IX – Sons of Aeolus, Melampus, Admetus, Pelias, Argonauts, or Proof That These “Chapters” are Arbitrary”

Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Georgics Book 4, or The Birds and the Bees Minus the Birds

Virgil likes bees for their honey and their metaphorical nature. If you have PBS Passport, I highly recommend this version of the Gluck opera about Orpheus and Eurydice. It is a beautiful reimagining, modern update. It’s available until 1/16/22, so there’s still time to catch it unless you’ve come to this episode long after itContinue reading “Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Georgics Book 4, or The Birds and the Bees Minus the Birds”

Roman Comedy XXV: Terence’s Phormio, or Athens Legal

Liars and lovers and lawyers, oh my! Discussion Prompts Retell this story from the perspective of the women seen or mentioned in this play. The usual directing questions: vision, interpretation, setting, dream cast. Discuss Geta and Phormio and how they fit (or don’t fit) the stock characters of the clever slave and parasite. Discuss howContinue reading “Roman Comedy XXV: Terence’s Phormio, or Athens Legal”

Greek Myth XXXIII: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VIII – Oeneus, Meleager, Tydeus, or Wining and Whining

A little bit of wine and a little bit of whining from the heroes in today’s episode. And by whining, of course I mean killing people they disagree with. Discussion Prompts What type of wine do you prefer? Do you know any other myths about people crossing boundaries and then getting killed for it? PleaseContinue reading “Greek Myth XXXIII: Pseudo-Apollodorus’s Bibliotheca Book I, Chapter VIII – Oeneus, Meleager, Tydeus, or Wining and Whining”