CLAS 190 Ancient Mysteries 2014
MWTh 12-12:50
Prof. Patricia A. JOHNSTON
Mandel Humanities Center 260
Off. Hrs. W1, Th 2 or by appointment
Tel: 781 736 2182
johnston@brandeis.edu
CLAS 190 THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES, CULTS, AND MYTHS
CLAS 190 Syllabus Spring 2014: Ancient Mysteries, Cults, and Myths Patricia A. Johnston,
Department of Classical Studies MW 2-3:30 pm
The Ancient Mysteries were so-named from the Greek word, mystes, which means
“initiate.” Membership in the various cults was based on initiation into rituals and doctrines
which were kept secret from the outside world, and hence much that we know about them comes
from related myths. In this course we will examine these cults and their related myths as
revealed in literature and art, and consider the degree to which many of these cults’ practices
persist in the modern world. We will begin by studying the phenomenon of Mystery Cults
generally, and then proceed to the art and literature through which we know of particular cults.
We will first examine the phenomenon of a cult, and then consider later reflections of the
practices, principles, etc.—to the extent we can identify them—in later organization, religions, or
general beliefs. Students will make presentations in class on given assignments, and then will
choose a particular cult to research and write a paper about, which they will present in class.
Primary Course Goals: The purpose of this course is to open students’ minds to a range of
religious beliefs which are far removed from modern experience, yet influence modern religion
is subtle ways. Ancient cults embody many of the roots of our behaviors and beliefs, yet can be
dealt with objectively and hence open the students’ minds to examining their own mode of
thought about things sacred. Students will examine certain of these cults and then make oral
presentations in class about them and discuss whether—and to what extent they have an impact
in the modern world. The extended bibliography is intended to assist students preparing their
oral and final presentations.
Course Requirements: One critical essay (10-15 pages), one midterm identifying the various
gods and their related cults, and a final exam.
Grading: Papers and Quizzes and Class participation: 40%; midterm 30%; final exam 30%
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Hugh Bowden, Mystery Cults of the Ancient World, Princeton 2010.
Manfred Clauss, The Roman cult of Mithras: the god and his mysteries, Translated by Richard
Gordon. New York: Routledge, 2000
R. Turcan, The Cults of the Roman Empire, Blackwell 1992.
Euripides Bacchae, trans. and Intro by Stephen Esposito; Focus Publishing.
Apuleius, The Golden Ass, trans. J. C. Relihan, Hacket Pub.
The Homeric Hymn to Demeter (posted on Latte)
Aristophanes, Frogs (posted on Latte)
Vergil, Georgics. (posted on Latte).
Recommended:
Marvin W. Meyer, The Ancient Mysteries, Philadelphia 1987.
G. E. Mylonas, Eleusis and the Eleusinian Mysteries, Princeton 1961.
SCHEDULE
Please try to read the materials listed before the class in which they are discussed:
Jan.
13 M Introduction
15 W Bowden pp. 1-25: Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean.
20 M NO CLASS – Martin Luther King Birthday
22 W The Eleusinian Mysteries--Demeter and Persephone.
Read: Homeric Hymn to Demeter (on Latte); Bowden pp. 26-48.
27 M Aristophanes, Frogs, (on Latte; Bowden pp. 47-48.
29 W Aristophanes continued
Feb.
3 M Samothracian Mysteries. Bowden 49-67
5 W Complete Samothracian mysteries; Andanian and other Mysteries of Greece.
Bowden 68-82
10 M Magna Mater/Cybele:The Great Mother (Cybele/Kubebe) and Attis.
Compare Diana/Artemis; Demeter, and Cybele. Bowden 85-104.
12 W Continue Cybele
17 M– 21F
NO CLASSES – SPRING BREAK
24 M The Egyptian cults: Isis, Zeus-Serapis; Fortuna. Bowden 156-180.
26 W Apuleius Golden Ass book 11 [A comparison of Mother-Goddess figures in the
mystic context (Demeter, Isis,. Cybele; Diana): Dea Syria];
read Bowden, 100-101.
March 3 M Apuleius Golden Ass 8.24-9.10.
5 W MIDTERM
10 M Euripides Bacchae,
12 W Dionysus. Bowden 105-136.
17 M Orpheus. Vergil Georgics 4. Bowden 137-155;
20 W Dionysus and Sabazius.
24 M Film: Camus: Black Orpheus; Cocteau: Orphée
26 W Mithras. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraic_mysteries;
Read Clauss TBA; Bowden 181-197.
31 M Mithras
April 2 W Mithras
7 M Film: Ingmar Bergman’s The Magic flute;
9 W Syrian deities: Dea Syria, Baal, Jupiter Heliopolis and Dolichenus.
14 M Horsemen gods; mothers of Ephesus, and Serpents.
NO CLASSES APRIL 15-22
23 W End of the Mysteries and their influence. Bowden 198-221.
28 M Last class
FINAL EXAM TBA