Ancient Greek Monsters

April 8, 2017

If you've ever read Harry Potter or watched a Disney film, chances are you have encountered the influence of Ancient Greek monsters. These frightening mythical beings provide fascinating insight into human nature and our ancient past. Join the Babes as they discuss a whole myriad of these composite creatures including: Centaurs, the Chimera, the Sphinx, Medusa and more.


Sources:

Boddens-Hosang, F. J. E. and Carole d’Albiac. "Sphinx." Grove Art OnlineOxford Art Online. Oxford University Press, accessed April 6, 2017, http://www.oxfordartonline.com/subscriber/article/grove/art/T080560.

Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome. Monster Theory: Reading Culture. University of Minnesota Press, 1996.

Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths, Baltimore: Penguin, 1955.

J.E. Robson, “Bestiality and Bestial Rape in Greek Myth.” In In Rape in Antiquity, edited by Susan Deacy and Karen Pierce, London: Duckworth in Association with the Classical Press of Wales, 1997.

Lestel, Dominique. "Why Are We So Fond of Monsters?" Comparative Critical Studies 9, no. 3 (2012): 259-69.

Low Schmitt, Marilyn. "Bellerophon and the Chimaera in Archaic Greek Art" American Journal of Archaeology 70.4 (October 1966), pp. 341–347.

Padgett, Michael J. The Centaur’s Smile: The Human Animal in Early Greek Art. Yale University Press New Haven and London, 2004.

Rabel, Robert J. 1948-. "The harpies in the Aeneid." Classical Journal 80, (April 1985): 317-325. Art & Architecture Source, EBSCOhost (accessed April 6, 2017).

Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters, and Dragns: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth. New York, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc, 2001.

Scobie, Alex. "The Origins of 'Centaurs'" Folklore 89.2 (1978:142–147); Scobie quotes Martin P. Nillson, Geschichte der griechischen Religion, 1955, "Die Etymologie und die Deutung der Ursprungs sind unsicher und mögen auf sich beruhen".

Smith, Cecil. "Harpies in Greek Art." The Journal of Hellenic Studies 13 (1892): 103-14. doi:10.2307/623895.

Ussher, Jane.  Managing the Monstrous Feminine: Regulating the Reproductive Body.  London: Routledge, 2006.

Wilk, Stephan R. Medusa: Solving the Mystery of the Gorgon. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Links:

http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentauroiThessalioi.html