Ancient Studies Week
Life, Love, and Classical Athens
Victoria Wohl, Professor of Athenian Literature and Culture, University of Toronto
Pericles’ Citizenship Law defined an Athenian citizen as the child of an Athenian father and mother, but real life in classical Athens was much messier than this clear-cut definition suggests. Court cases from classical Athens are full of mistresses and prostitutes, bastard children, and secret love-affairs. Focusing on Demosthenes’ speech against Neaira and Euripides’ Medea, this lecture shows how Athenians negotiated the law in everyday life and the tragedy that ensued when they transgressed it.
Sponsored by the Ancient Studies Department, the Dresher Center for the Humanities, and the Gender + Women’s Studies Department.