Human Sacrifice in Antiquity

Human Sacrifice in Antiquity: Myth and History

This course will focus on the role human sacrifice has played in the polytheistic religions of the Ancient Mediterranean world and the modifications it went through in monotheistic context. By examining the available archaeological and literary evidence, the course will explore the mythological foundations of the human sacrifice in Ancient Mediterranean and the transformations of this religious practice during the Late Antiquity.

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授業計画

The course will be divided into four parts. The first part will discuss the available data from the Greek and Roman mythology, while the second one will focus entirely on literary works of different genres, which provide information on human sacrifice. The goal of the third part of the course will be to reconsider human sacrifice in the context of a new religious selfhood formation in Late Antiquity. The course will conclude with students’ term presentations and class discussions.

授業の方法

The class will be designed in a student-centered manner giving an opportunity of debating on issues of particular interest for each student. Class discussions will be based on reading assignments of primary sources and academic publications related to the topic of each lecture and distributed in advance.

成績評価方法

Assessment will be based on students’ attendance, participation in class discussions and one class presentation on a topic related to the course.

教科書

No textbook required. Primary historical sources in translation and a list of recommended academic publications will be distributed in class at the beginning of the semester.

参考書

なし

履修上の注意

No prerequisites.