Classical Culture and SocietyAbout the ResearchThis research cluster is focused mainly on understanding the literary and material cultures of the peoples encompassed by Greek and Roman civilisation. Literature, art (e.g., architecture, portraiture, narrative sculpture, numismatics) and documentary evidence (e.g., epigraphy) are reflections of what Greek and Roman society valued and believed. The study of these literary and material remains involves the close examination of classical texts and artefacts; their relation to Greek and Roman models and cultures; their literary, rhetorical, dramatic, archaeological and artistic techniques; the ways in which writers and artists create meaning within and between texts and artefact and various aspects of production and reception. An important aspect of the research cluster is the collaborative nature of the research involved and the resulting outputs. CoordinatorResearchers
Major Areas of Research Within the Cluster
Classical Art and ArchaeologyClassical Art and Archaeology involves collaboration with the Otago Museum, with which the University has a Memorandum of Understanding. (The Otago Museum has one of the largest and most representative collections of Classical artefacts in New Zealand, and one of the best such collections in Australasia.) The expertise in Classical Archaeology of staff in the Classics Department is essential for Classical artefacts in the museum to be researched properly and to be published professionally. Roman Poetry and RhetoricRoman Poetry and Rhetoric involves the close examination of relevant Roman texts; their relation to Greek and Roman models and cultures; their literary, rhetorical and dramatic techniques; various aspects of production and reception; and the ways in which writers create meaning within and between texts. Greek History and NumismaticsGreek History and Numismatics involves the study of the highly popular and topical history of Alexander the Great and his successors and also the study of the large ancient coin collection of Willi Fels in the Otago Museum. One of the long-term objectives of this Cluster is to produce a catalogue of the full Greek and Roman coin collection, which is already in manuscript form; this project is receiving full support from staff in the Otago Museum. Greek Drama and ReligionGreek Drama and Religion involves the study of the Greek tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides and various aspects of Greek religion, including important mythological figures. Classical Tradition and ReceptionClassical Tradition and Reception involves the study of Classical mythology, art, literature and history as sources of inspiration for writers, artists, musicians and societal institutions throughout western history. It considers the ways in subsequent ages responded to and adapted the stories and works of the Classical world up to the present time. Greek and Roman ArchaeoastronomyGreek and Roman Archaeoastronomy involves the study of the impact of astronomical knowledge and theories on the broader cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. It examines such topics as astronomical knowledge in Greek and Roman literature, the construction of calendars, methods and technologies of timekeeping, and the use of astronomical alignments in the built environment. Roman ComedyRoman Comedy involves the study of its manuscript tradition, its relation to its Greek models, its literary and dramatic techniques, aspects of staging and performance, and the social and ethical basis of the society which it represents, and the reception of Roman comedy in later periods, including modern productions. Postgraduate ResearchRecently completed and current research by PhD and Masters students linked to the Classical Culture and Society research cluster: PhD
Masters
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