Mythology from the Sumerians to the Presocratics I

This seminar looks at the broad history of written myth, ranging from southern Mesopotamia in the third millennium BC, through the Hurro-Hittite and Ugaritic myths, to their earliest manifestation in Greek myth. This course focuses in particular on how myths are transformed and reinterpreted as they pass from one culture or written tradition into the next, on the origins of commentary traditions in text and image, and on whether or to what extent modern theories of mythology can contribute to our understanding. Each seminar meeting will combine lecture, discussion and reading of ancient mythical sources in English translation. The course will be taught chronologically over two semesters, so students are strongly encouraged to take course both courses as part of a single module. This course will be taught in English, 2 hours per week.