What do Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Dante, James Joyce, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, several computer viruses, a very large asteroid, and countless sports teams have in common?

They were all inspired by the Trojan War.

From Heinrich Schliemann to Homer Simpson, the story of the Trojan War has been told and retold, used and abused since long before it was first written down by the man we call (the other) Homer up until today. In this course we will explore the Trojan War through archaeology, art, and mythology of the Greeks and Romans and the popular imagination of everyone else from antiquity through today. Students will read ancient and not-so-ancient stories, explore archaeological sites, real cities, and imaginary places as they figure out what “really” happened when Helen ran off and Achilles got angry and the Greeks came bearing gifts. This is a first-year seminar.

Class meetings: Tues/Thurs 9-10:20am, Rhode Island Hall Room 008

Instructor: Michelle Berenfeld

Office Hours: Fridays 1-3 and/or by appointment, Rhode Island Hall Room 009

Syllabus / Readings / Assignments / List of textbooks