Third Year Winner: When Myth Meets the Moment: How the Ancient Greek Tragedians Constructed the Age of Heroes to Explore Their Contemporary Society

HUMA/CLST 3100, Greek Drama and Culture. CD: Angela Hug.

Abstract

“When Myth Meets the Moment” is framed by a sophisticated grasp of the way in which the study of ancient civilizations is, by necessity, multidisciplinary. Excavated ancient architecture comes to life only through analysis of ancient records, languages, religions, and art. It is this argument that justifies the task at the heart of “When Myth Meets the Moment”, exemplified by a careful, detailed, and well-researched analysis of the values, hopes, and beliefs of ancient people captured in their popular literature. This analysis of fifth-century Athenian tragedies illuminates the inner emotional life of the average Athenian in a powerfully cogent essay.