Critical Dialogues
About the Program
Critical Dialogues is an informal reading group on the ancient world hosted by CAHS in collaboration with Dr Yvette Hunt, one of UQ’s own Honorary Research Fellows in Classics. This is an opportunity to discuss texts outside the scope of most Ancient History courses at UQ, covering topics beyond the traditional. Past topics have included Zombies, Haunted Houses, and Werewolves and Lycanthropy. Texts will be provided in advance of each session, giving attendees the chance to check out the topic and formulate their thoughts before getting together with the group.
Access to the Program
The program is open to all CAHS members, and all sessions will be held on-campus in Michie (9) 536.
Semester 1 Sessions:
Join us every second Thursday from 5:00pm, on the following dates:
*CANCELLED*
Session 0 – Thursday 3rd March, Week 2
Location: Online via Zoom
Link: https://uqz.zoom.us/j/6017975420
Time: 5:00pm
This session our host, Katherine Prouting, will discuss ancient disabilities of Athens.
Katherine Prouting is an MPhil student at the University of Queensland writing her thesis on ‘Domestic Violence in the Athenian Law-Court Speeches: Perception, Procedure, and Punishment’, under the supervision of Prof. Alastair Blanshard. Having completed an Honours Degree in the Bachelor of Classical Studies at the Australian National University (2012-2016), she spent several years working before coming to UQ in mid-2019 for her MPhil. She is extremely passionate about Attic oratory and wants everyone to like it as much as she does. Katherine has also spoken about Athenian law at various conferences including the CUNY Postgraduate Conference in New York City (2020), The Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS 2021, 2022), and the Cancelled Conference (2021).
Readings:
Session 1 – Thursday 24th March, Week 4
Location: Michie Building (9), Room 536
Time: 5:00pm
This session we will be revisiting the exciting topic of Dish Divining (known as lecanomancy) with our host, Yvette Hunt.
Yvette Hunt is a University of Queensland alumna and honorary research fellow, whose areas of study have included such topics as ancient xenophobia, poisons and poisoners in antiquity, Roman public entertainment (especially ancient pantomime dancing – the topic of her PhD thesis), popular ancient medicine, and ancient magic. Despite her areas of study being ancient history, she has published a translation and commentary on Latin text Medicina Plinii for Routledge’s Scientific Writings from the Ancient and Medieval World series, and is currently working on a translation of Sextus Placitus’ Medicine from Animals, Livestock, Beasts and Birds. Yvette uses Critical Dialogues to introduce students to more obscure ancient sources, address topics requested by students, or even conduct some elements of recreation of ancient practice
Session 2 – Thursday 7th April, Week 6
Location: Michie Building (9), Room 536
Time: 5:00pm
This session, our host, Yvette Hunt, explores the Roman festival Lemuria. Join us for a session that follows our Lemuria event, it will focus on Ovid’s Fasti book five from line 419 and discuss Ovid, the nature of calendars, and Roman ghosts and magic.
Yvette Hunt is a University of Queensland alumna and honorary research fellow, whose areas of study have included such topics as ancient xenophobia, poisons and poisoners in antiquity, Roman public entertainment (especially ancient pantomime dancing – the topic of her PhD thesis), popular ancient medicine, and ancient magic. Despite her areas of study being ancient history, she has published a translation and commentary on Latin text Medicina Plinii for Routledge’s Scientific Writings from the Ancient and Medieval World series, and is currently working on a translation of Sextus Placitus’ Medicine from Animals, Livestock, Beasts and Birds. Yvette uses Critical Dialogues to introduce students to more obscure ancient sources, address topics requested by students, or even conduct some elements of recreation of ancient practice.
Session 3 – Thursday 28th April, Week 8
Location: Michie Building (9), Room 536
Time: 5:00pm
Join us for our fourth session, which looks at Homicide in Athens. Our host this week will be Katherine Prouting!
Katherine Prouting is an MPhil student at the University of Queensland writing her thesis on ‘Domestic Violence in the Athenian Law-Court Speeches: Perception, Procedure, and Punishment’, under the supervision of Prof. Alastair Blanshard. Having completed an Honours Degree in the Bachelor of Classical Studies at the Australian National University (2012-2016), she spent several years working before coming to UQ in mid-2019 for her MPhil. She is extremely passionate about Attic oratory and wants everyone to like it as much as she does. Katherine has also spoken about Athenian law at various conferences including the CUNY Postgraduate Conference in New York City (2020), The Australasian Society for Classical Studies (ASCS 2021, 2022), and the Cancelled Conference (2021).
Session 4 – Thursday 12th May, Week 12
Michie Building (9), Room 536
Time: 5:00pm
This session will focus on our host, Yvette Hunts’, very own translation of ‘On Animals, Livestocks, Beasts and Birds’ by Sextus Placitus!
This Latin medical text, Sextus Placitus of Papyra’s Book of Medicine from Animals, Livestock, and Beasts or Birds, has never been translated into modern English. The text dates to between 400 and 450 CE, and medieval manuscripts often are accompanied by illustrations of the animal which was the topic of each chapter. This translation is the first part of a current translation and research project.
Yvette Hunt is a University of Queensland alumna and honorary research fellow, whose areas of study have included such topics as ancient xenophobia, poisons and poisoners in antiquity, Roman public entertainment (especially ancient pantomime dancing – the topic of her PhD thesis), popular ancient medicine, and ancient magic. Despite her areas of study being ancient history, she has published a translation and commentary on Latin text Medicina Plinii for Routledge’s Scientific Writings from the Ancient and Medieval World series, and is currently working on a translation of Sextus Placitus’ Medicine from Animals, Livestock, Beasts and Birds. Yvette uses Critical Dialogues to introduce students to more obscure ancient sources, address topics requested by students, or even conduct some elements of recreation of ancient practice
Session 5 – Thursday 25th May, Week 10
Location: Michie Building (9), Room 536
Time: 5:00pm
This session looks at Homeric gender ideals in the 2004 movie, Troy. Our host this week is Ethan Clark-Kistowski!
Ethan is a full time honours student writing a thesis on engendering the South Brisbane community during the Late Victorian period using an archaeological assemblage. He has a strong passion for archaeology, ancient history and reception studies and is also deeply interested in applying feminist critiques to these fields. Having always been interested in these fields, he pursued them through a dual Science/Arts degree.
In the meantime, stay tuned for the release of the readings for each session!
CAHS, UQ 