Classics in Our World:
English Words from Ancient
Greece
Our classical past has enriched Western Culture, and many
languages. Many of us are unaware of the classical background of English
words we use today. Part of our exploration of ancient Greece this semester
will be to expand our understanding of our own language via the etymologies
of its vocabulary.
To this end, students in CLST 1003 will delight one another
with explanations of CLASSICS IN OUR WORLD. Most of these words are to be
found in a good English dictionary, and on the Internet in the “Words
and Phrases Glossary” of Oxford’s “Classical Mythology” website:
(http://www.us.oup.com/us/companion.websites/0195153448/studentresources/mainglossary/mainglossary/?view=usa). If you don’t find what you want online, you should consult a
big English dictionary, and/or go to Mullins Library. There are several
works in Mullins Library that can give you the lowdown on all the mythology
you need. There are a bunch in Reference, and a bunch on the shelves. If
you want resources in Mullins Library, you can see them here: (http://www.uark.edu/campus-resources/dlevine/Bibliography.html).
A good online reference source for Greek myths, with illustrations, is theoi.com:
(http://www.theoi.com/).
Student presentations will involve:
1) Writing the word or phrase on the board in the Roman
alphabet immediately before class begins,
2) Writing the relevant original word(s) IN GREEK LETTERS (upper and lower case) on
the board immediately before class begins, and
3) BRIEFLY (in 2-3 minutes) explaining the classical figure,
concept, myth, god, or idea associated with the words.
4) [Please inform your professor at least two days before your presentation what
you have found.]
Note: In addition, students
must bring an image to accompany their presentation. This may be
online, on a memory storage device, or a hard-copy image.
Please check the list and note the days on which you will make your presentations.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO PREPARE YOUR PRESENTATION.
The professor encourages students to refer to our course
texts and other original sources whenever possible when giving reports,
so check out the indices of your texts when preparing your presentation.
For example, if you get the word AMAZON, you will find a cool story about
them in your Herodotus text, in book 4. Ditto on “rich as Croesus”
(book 1). If you get “Electra Complex”, you will do well to refer
to Aeschylus’ play LIBATION BEARERS, which is in our ORESTEIA
text. Be sure to refer to Book 14 of the ILIAD if you have to explain
“hypnosis”. Be sure to refer to book 6 of HERODOTUS if you explain
“panic”. For “THERSITISM” be sure to refer to Iliad
2. Show us how well-read you are!
GRADING: Grades will be based on:
1. Accuracy of Information (Be sure
to tell the truth);
2. Clarity and Concision of Presentation
(Make sure that your report is succinct and understandable),
3. Connection with the class (Be sure
that your voice is loud enough, that you make eye contact, and show that
you care about your subject),
4. Proper Greek spelling and letter
forms (This is why I want you to check with me before your presentation
— so I don’t have to correct your work in class).
For an example of a report, click
here.
The Professor will make assignments during the first week
of class. When you get your assignments, LOOK THEM UP RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT
WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Many of you will have questions that
I can answer, but not if you contact me just before your report is due.
Illustration: Columbia University Library, with names of
Homer, Herodotus, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Cicero and
Vergil on the Ionic Frieze.
Students will check the following list
and note the days on which they will give presentations.
AUGUST 31
Pyrrhic Victory : Douglas P.
Platonic Love: Samantha Ree.
SEPTEMBER 02
titan, titanic : Bryant V.
amazon : Allie W.
SEPTEMBER 04
ambrosia, ambrosial : Justin A.
SEPTEMBER 09
stygian : Andrew A.
apple of discord : Emily D.
SEPTEMBER 11
Athenaeum : Tyler J.
SEPTEMBER 14
nestor : Samantha Rob.
cassandra : Sarah S.
SEPTEMBER 16
boustrophedon : Adam S.
chimera : Bailey S.
SEPTEMBER 18
chaos : Kyle S.
demon : Donald T.
SEPTEMBER 21
The Socratic Method : Jason W.
echo : Samantha W.
OCTOBER 2
aphrodisiac, anaphrodisiac Zaxh A.
Europa (astronomy), Europe : Jarrett B.
OCTOBER 7
Ganymede (astronomy) : Aubrey B.
gorgon, gorgonian, gorgonize : William B.
OCTOBER 9
hector (as a verb, as a noun) : Alexander B.
hydra : Clay C.
OCTOBER 12
academe, academy : Phillip D.
OCTOBER 14
Electra complex : David A.
Io (astronomy), Ionian : Kevin F.
OCTOBER 16
solon : Emma F.
nemesis : Sheree M.
OCTOBER 19
laconic : Damaris G.
lethe, lethargy, lethargic : John G.
OCTOBER 21
mausoleum : Alex H.
hymen, hymneal : Brian D.
OCTOBER 26
mentor : Brandon H.
Midas’ ass’s ears/Midas touch/the golden touch : Zachary H.
OCTOBER 28
psephology/psephologist : Colton K.
terpsichorean : Annie K.
OCTOBER 30
draconian : Mark L.
symposium : Matt M.
NOVEMBER 2
narcissus, narcissism, narcissist : Joshua M.
nympholepsy/nympholept : James M.
NOVEMBER 4
The motto of the United States Postal Service: “Neither snow
nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds.” (Hint: Herodotus Histories 8.98)
: Caitlin M.
Trojan horse : Aaron M.
NOVEMBER 6
Nike : McKenzie M.
Cadmean victory: Morgan M.
NOVEMBER 9
Elysian Fields/Elysian/Elysium : Caitlin B.
erotic, erotica, erotomania : Christine A.
NOVEMBER 11
odyssey Douglas P.
harpy Samantha Ree.
NOVEMBER 13
Olympian, Olympic (sports) Bryant V.
pandora’s box Allie W.
NOVEMBER 16
palladium (two meanings) Justin A.
hecatomb Andrew A.
November 23
panic Emily D.
procrustean Tyler J.
NOVEMBER 30
promethean Samantha Rob.
protean Sarah S.
DECEMBER 2
Python, python, pythoness Adam S.
satyr, satyriasis, satyromaniac Bailey S.
The kindly centaur Chiron holds baby Achilles, his student. Chiron’s
job was to teach Achilles the art of medicine, and how to be a good man.
This centaur has human legs instead of horse legs, to show that he is more
civilized than other centaurs. In the Iliad, Achilles had the spear that
Chiron had given to Peleus, Achilles’ father. (Iliad 4.219; 11.832;
16.143; 19.390)
Return to Main Page: CLST 1003.
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