A Tale of Two Lamias and Demetrius Poliorcetes

Thursday, Oct. 5, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

A-2065

Atlantic Classical Association / Classical Association of Canada Atlantic Speaker’s Tour

The Department of Classics is pleased to welcome this year’s tour speaker, Professor Frances Pownall, University of Alberta. Professor Pownall will give a talk entitled, “A Tale of Two Lamias and Demetrius Poliorcetes”: The female monster Lamia was a familiar figure used to frighten children into good behaviour in nursery tales in Ancient Greece. In the earliest versions of the myth, Lamia was represented as a hideous creature who preyed upon babies. In the later tradition, however, Lamia is transformed from a monstrous child-killing ghoul into an alluring seductress who entices and devours attractive young men. This presentation will argue that Lamia’s transformation at the supernatural level is very much rooted in historical events in the physical world involving a playboy, a courtesan, and the scandal-loving ancient Athenians.

Presented by Dept. of Classics

Event Listing 2023-10-05 16:30:00 2023-10-05 17:30:00 America/St_Johns A Tale of Two Lamias and Demetrius Poliorcetes Atlantic Classical Association / Classical Association of Canada Atlantic Speaker’s Tour The Department of Classics is pleased to welcome this year’s tour speaker, Professor Frances Pownall, University of Alberta. Professor Pownall will give a talk entitled, “A Tale of Two Lamias and Demetrius Poliorcetes”: The female monster Lamia was a familiar figure used to frighten children into good behaviour in nursery tales in Ancient Greece. In the earliest versions of the myth, Lamia was represented as a hideous creature who preyed upon babies. In the later tradition, however, Lamia is transformed from a monstrous child-killing ghoul into an alluring seductress who entices and devours attractive young men. This presentation will argue that Lamia’s transformation at the supernatural level is very much rooted in historical events in the physical world involving a playboy, a courtesan, and the scandal-loving ancient Athenians. A-2065 Dept. of Classics