Category Archives: Background

Henry Thomas Riley describes the plot of today’s play as “extremely meagre”. I think you’ll see why. Discussion Prompts Why do you think this play is named after Stichus? What do you think of the Parasite? What are some more modern versions of this stock character? If you were directing this play today, how wouldContinue reading “Roman Comedy III: Plautus’s Stichus, or Meet the Parasite”

In this episode, we conclude our look at Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth. Discussion Prompts Where do you see god or the divine? How can atheism and mythology work together? Mythology and life are full of circles. Which one is your favorite? Why? What about the Power of Myth did I not talkContinue reading “The Power of Myth VI: Masks of Eternity, or What is God?”

Campbell and Moyers may stumble into progressive thought, but they get there nonetheless. Discussion Prompts Have you read Tristan and Isolde? Do you want to talk about it? Discuss. I didn’t talk about the role of virgin births in mythology and religion, but Campbell does expound on them. Why do you think they’re important? DoContinue reading “The Power of Myth V: Love and the Goddess, or Love is Love is Love is Love”

This episode holds up better than the last one. It still is very much of its time, and it is still two white men telling the stories gleaned from people of color, but it is not as cringeworthy in its analysis of the world as the last episode. Discussion Prompts The episode opens with aContinue reading “The Power of Myth IV: Sacrifice and Bliss, or Don’t “Should” Yourself”

This is not the best episode. In case you’d forgotten that Joseph Campbell was an old white man when The Power of Myth was recorded, he’s about to remind you. Discussion Prompts What is your favorite liminal space? Why? What is your favorite coming-of-age story? Why? Campbell thinks that ritual is dead. How would youContinue reading “The Power of Myth III: The First Storytellers, or Uffa… Old White Men…”

In the second episode of The Power of Myth, Campbell speaks about creation myths, technology, and bliss. And a lot of other stuff, too. Discussion Prompts Where do you find your bliss? What’s your favorite movie about technology? What’s your favorite “urban legend”/modern myth?

This series of episodes was prompted by this post. Yes, I borrowed from it to talk about buying groceries as a hero’s journey. Discussion Prompts What’s your favorite myth? How does it follow the pattern of the Hero’s Journey? What’s your story? After all, we are all heroes in our own way.

If you were looking for action, well, we’re still waiting for the fighting. I promise it will come, but Book 2 is still setting up the story. Discussion Prompts What do you think of the Iliad so far? What do you think about the role the gods are playing? Who is your favorite character? Why?Continue reading “Greek Epics III: Iliad Book 2, or Homer Drops Names”

In this episode, we cover the second play in Aeschylus’s Oresteia trilogy, and we meet the sister who was completely ignored in the first play. Discussion Points What are your thoughts at this point in the Oresteia?   Do you think this play stands on its own?   How would you present it?   Electra does not reappearContinue reading “Greek Tragedy VII: Aeschylus’s The Libation Bearers, Or the Demon Children of Argos Street”

Welcome to the official blog for the official podcast for Triumvir Clio’s School of Classical Civilization (available wherever fine podcasts are found).  I’m Beth, AKA Triumvir Clio, seen here with my favorite tyrant.  When I was a sophomore at Loyola University Chicago, my friend Maria and I took a class called “Epics and Classical Heroes” and itContinue reading “Welcome!”