Ancient Greece and Rome are rarely depicted objectively in modern popular culture. Sometimes these ancient cultures, epitomised by smooth white marble and classical beauty, are idealised and glorified. More commonly, they are depicted as wicked and corrupt, decadent and licentious, characterised by excessive drinking, the violence and bloodlust of the arena, sexual deviance and a lust for world domination. Intertwined with these characterisations are other groups, notably Jews and Christians, who may be depicted as foils to the pagan population. Portrayals of ancient Judaism and Christianity also often present exaggerated ideals of heroism and virtue in popular culture. This conference aims to explore the way particular virtues and vices are considered to be particularly representative of the ancient world, and to reflect upon how these virtues and vices are portrayed in twentieth and twenty-first century popular culture, in all its forms and media, including cinema, television, radio, literature, comics, advertising, the internet and video games.
We invite proposals for papers (20 minutes plus discussion) exploring the many ways that the vice and virtues of the ancient world are popularly represented in the modern world. Possibilities of subjects include, but are not limited to, depictions of the following aspects of ancient Greece and Rome:
. Modern Representations of the Ancient Body
. Greek, Roman or Christian virtues
. Male and Female Sexuality
. Imperialism and Democracy
. Rhetorical virtues
. Ancient Heroism
. FreedomFighters
. Slaves and Slave-owners
. Love, Sex, Orgies and Debauchery
. Ancient Religion in a Modern World
Keynote speakers: Monica Cyrino (New Mexico) and Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones (Edinburgh).
Please send proposals to arrive by 30 November 2012. Paper pro?posals should be no more than 300 words, and should be accompanied by contact details.
For further information please contact Eran Almagor (almagore@bgu.ac.il) or Lisa Maurice (mauril68@bezeqint.net).