Join us on Oct. 12th, 5-6 pm, in the Totem Park Commonsblock Ballroom for an evening with author Sarah Iles Johnston for a discussion on ‘Gods, Mortals, and Monsters in Greek Mythology’.
Sarah has recently published a new book, Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers, and will be joining us for a reading of selected passages from her book + Q&A. There will be pizza (and AMNE monster stickers). We hope you’ll join us for some spooky, pre-Halloween fun and what promises to be an exciting opportunity to see how skills you can learn through AMNE can be applied to non-academic careers!
No RSVP is required for this event!
Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers
Princeton University Press
“Gripping tales that abound with fantastic characters and astonishing twists and turns, Greek myths confront what it means to be mortal in a world of powerful forces beyond human control. Little wonder that they continue to fascinate readers thousands of years after they were first told. Gods and Mortals is a major new telling of ancient Greek myths by one of the world’s preeminent experts. In a fresh, vibrant, and compelling style that draws readers into the lives of the characters, Sarah Iles Johnston offers new narrations of all the best-known tales as well as others that are seldom told, taking readers on an enthralling journey from the origin of the cosmos to the aftermath of the Trojan War.
Some of the mortals in these stories are cursed by the gods, while luckier ones are blessed with resourcefulness and resilience. Gods transform themselves into animals, humans, and shimmering gold to visit the earth in disguise—where they sometimes transform offending mortals into new forms, too: a wolf, a spider, a craggy rock. Other mortals—both women and men—use their wits and strength to conquer the monsters created by the gods—gorgons, dragons, harpies, fire-breathing bulls.
Featuring captivating original illustrations by Tristan Johnston, Gods and Mortals highlights the rich connections between the different characters and stories, draws attention to the often-overlooked perspectives of female characters, and stays true both to the tales and to the world in which ancient people lived. The result is an engaging and entertaining new take on the Greek myths.”
Check out more and purchase the book from Princeton University Press!
About Sarah Iles Johnston
Learn more about Sarah on her website, https://www.sarahilesjohnston.com/about
Sarah Iles Johnston received bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Classics from the University of Kansas, a place she loved for many reasons but especially because of the wonderful professors who fostered her love of myths. She went on to receive her doctorate in Classics from Cornell University, where she studied ancient Greek myths and religions.
After her doctorate, she joined the humanities faculty at The Ohio State University, where she is now the College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of Religion and Professor of Classics. She teaches courses in ancient Greek myths and religions, the history of European beliefs in witchcraft, comparative religion, and ancient Greek poetry. She has held several academic fellowships and is the author or editor of many scholarly books and articles on ancient myths and religions.