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.

Join us on the first Thursday of each month (along with a bonus session on 21st October), from 5:00pm-6:30pm, on the following dates:

• Semester 2 – Week 4 – Thursday 19th August

  Session Cancelled Due to Covid Restrictions

• Semester 2 – Week 7 – Thursday 9th September, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 536

  This session we will be discussing Light and Roman Honour in Cicero’s ‘De Amicitia’ with our host, Brianna Sands!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – Cicero’s ‘De Amicitia’Download
• Semester 2 – Week 10 – Thursday 7th October, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 536

  This session we will be discussing Cleopatra in Cinema and will analyse how Cleopatra has been portrayed in a series of films with our host, Tyla Cascaes!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – Cleopatra in CinemaDownload
• Semester 2 – Week 12 – Thursday 21st October, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 536

  This session we will be discussing ancient Alchemy, through our analysis of Pseudo-Democritus’ ‘On the Making of Purple and Gold: Natural and Secret Questions’, as presented by Dr Yvette Hunt!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – AlchemyDownload

Semester 1 Sessions:

• Semester 1 – Week 2 – Thursday 4th March, 5:00pm – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 536

  This session we will be discussing the third century philosopher, Porphyry, and what his ‘About Abstinence’ has to say on human sacrifice!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – Porphyry and Human SacrificeDownload
• Semester 1 – Week 8 – Thursday 22nd April, 5:00 – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 536

  This session we will be discussing curse tablets written in Greek, Latin, and Oscan, and the forms they took across the ancient world!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – Curse TabletsDownload
• Semester 1 – Week 10 – Thursday 6th May, 5:00 – 6:30pm

  Michie Building (9), Room 546

  This session will cover the Evil Eye in antiquity, and discuss how it is presented in Plutarch’s ‘Table Talk’, as well as some letters from Egypt!

  Critical Dialogues Reading – Evil EyeDownload

In the meantime, stay tuned for the release of the readings for each session!